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Turfgrass DiseasesThere are several diseases that could potentially infect turf in northern Illinois. The general environmental conditions occurring on the turf, how the turf is managed, and weather conditions all impact turfgrass disease development. Turf diseases need favorable conditions to develop. The best defense against diseases is to maintain healthy turf through sound cultural practices, avoiding favorable conditions for disease. Disease outbreaks often occur when turfgrasses are not managed properly or are under extreme stress, such as from poor soil conditions or perhaps weather conditions (see Table 1). Table 1: Disease Requirements & Turf Disease Management
| Condition | Management Practices to Avoid Disease |
| Susceptible Grass Plant | Resistant species/cultivars
Use of mixtures/blends |
| Causal Agent (Fungi for most diseases) | Fungicides (temporary protection)
Can never eliminate all causal agents |
| Proper Environment for Causal Agent to Develop | Proper establishment
Proper turf management practices (watering, fertilizing, etc.) |
Fungicides are rarely suggested for use on home lawns. Instead, follow sound lawn care practices to prevent serious problems. When a disease outbreak occurs, follow renovation procedures and adjust future lawn care practices as needed to prevent the disease from returning. Some Common Turfgrass Disease Scenarios
| Low Fertility, Moisture, Turf Vigor |
| Disease | Symptoms |
| Dollar Spot | Small blighted areas
Hourglass lesion girdles blade
Colored band on lesion edge |
| Red Thread | Pink to red masses on leaf blades
Threadlike appendages from leaf tips |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaf blades
Orange powder from affected grass
Yellowish turf
Turf decline |
| Excess Nitrogen Fertility, Thatch |
| Disease | Symptoms |
| Leafspot/Melting Out | Brown to purple lesions (spots) on blades
Irregular dying areas of grass
Lesions on grass in margins of dead areas |
| Snowmold | Irregular matted areas
"Moldy" appearance in spring |
| Heavy Clay Soil, Soil Compaction, Thatch, Poor Establishment |
| Disease | Symptoms |
Summer Patch Necrotic Ring Spot
(Fusarium Blight) | Circular/crescent shaped patches
Irregular dying areas of grass
Irregular dead areas
Patches in newer sodded lawns |
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