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Brownpatch is a fungus disease that damages St. Augustine in spring and early fall.
Brownpatch is characterized by circular patches of yellow or brown grass that may
vary from less than one foot to several feet of diameter. The outside of the circle has a
“smoke ring” appearance caused by the actively spreading fungus. In this area, the
leaves of the grass may be easily pulled from the stem because of the deterioration
caused by the fungus. The grass in the center of the circular patch may recover within
weeks, giving the disease area a doughnut shaped appearance. The fungus is most
active when humidity is high and the air temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees.
Take-all patch is a serious fungus disease of St. Augustine grass and can also
cause problems on Bermuda grass. It seems to be active during the fall, winter and
spring when there is abundant moisture and temperatures are moderate. The
disease has the ability to destroy large sections of turfgrass if left uncontrolled, and
has proven to be a difficult disease to control. When the disease is active, the first
symptom is often a yellowing of the leaves, which may eventually die and turn brown.
The area of discolored and dying leaves may be circular or irregular in shape and at
least up to 20 feet in diameter. Unlike brown patch, the leaves of take-all infected
plants do not easily separate from the plant when pulled. The roots are sometimes so
rotted that damaged stolons are easily pulled from the ground.
Although slime molds do not cause disease, their sudden appearance as white,
gray, purple, or brown patches on grasses may cause alarm. These organisms use
the leaves and stems of grasses to support their reproductive structures and ultimately
facilitate their dispersal to surrounding areas. They may therefore occur on any
turfgrass species. They may sometimes be confused with Powdery mildew or Stripe
smut. Symptoms are large numbers of pinhead-sized fruiting bodies (sporangia) of
these organisms may suddenly appear on grass blades and stems in circular to
irregular patches 1-24 in. (2-60 cm) in diameter. The sporangia are typically white,
gray, or purplish brown, but other colors are also possible. The affected patches of
grass do not normally die or turn yellow, and the sporangia usually disappear within 1-
2 weeks. These organisms may appear in the same location each year.
Slime molds feed on bacteria. They are not parasitic on grasses, but they may shade
individual grass leaves and interfere with photosynthesis. Thus, some yellowing of
leaves is possible when slime mold reproduction is heavy, and weakened plants may
become more susceptible to infection by pathogenic fungi.
Brownpatch is characterized by circular patches of yellow or brown grass that may
vary from less than one foot to several feet of diameter. The outside of the circle has a
“smoke ring” appearance caused by the actively spreading fungus. In this area, the
leaves of the grass may be easily pulled from the stem because of the deterioration
caused by the fungus. The grass in the center of the circular patch may recover within
weeks, giving the disease area a doughnut shaped appearance. The fungus is most
active when humidity is high and the air temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees.
Take-all patch is a serious fungus disease of St. Augustine grass and can also
cause problems on Bermuda grass. It seems to be active during the fall, winter and
spring when there is abundant moisture and temperatures are moderate. The
disease has the ability to destroy large sections of turfgrass if left uncontrolled, and
has proven to be a difficult disease to control. When the disease is active, the first
symptom is often a yellowing of the leaves, which may eventually die and turn brown.
The area of discolored and dying leaves may be circular or irregular in shape and at
least up to 20 feet in diameter. Unlike brown patch, the leaves of take-all infected
plants do not easily separate from the plant when pulled. The roots are sometimes so
rotted that damaged stolons are easily pulled from the ground.
Although slime molds do not cause disease, their sudden appearance as white,
gray, purple, or brown patches on grasses may cause alarm. These organisms use
the leaves and stems of grasses to support their reproductive structures and ultimately
facilitate their dispersal to surrounding areas. They may therefore occur on any
turfgrass species. They may sometimes be confused with Powdery mildew or Stripe
smut. Symptoms are large numbers of pinhead-sized fruiting bodies (sporangia) of
these organisms may suddenly appear on grass blades and stems in circular to
irregular patches 1-24 in. (2-60 cm) in diameter. The sporangia are typically white,
gray, or purplish brown, but other colors are also possible. The affected patches of
grass do not normally die or turn yellow, and the sporangia usually disappear within 1-
2 weeks. These organisms may appear in the same location each year.
Slime molds feed on bacteria. They are not parasitic on grasses, but they may shade
individual grass leaves and interfere with photosynthesis. Thus, some yellowing of
leaves is possible when slime mold reproduction is heavy, and weakened plants may
become more susceptible to infection by pathogenic fungi.
| Common Lawn Concerns |
| 817-759-0102 |
| North Central Texas Landscape Southlake, Trophy Club, Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville, Fort Worth |
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