Diseases of golf grass are one of the serious and costliest reasons for injury and death of the golf greens. Many diseases are seen on the different turf grasses. Most of the turf grass diseases are caused by fungus and nematodes. Soma diseases are also caused due to chances in environment or faulty management practices. Wilt, cold damage, heat high soluble salts, soil compaction and chemical damages are other very common causes of golf grass diseases.
Favorable conditions for turf grass diseases
There are certain conditions and practices that favor diseases in turf grass.
- Susceptible plants, pathogens and favorable environments are the basic requirements of plant diseases. These factors are required at the same time for a considerable time to develop diseases.
- A lot of moisture on the leaves and optimum temperatures periods result in growth of fungus to cause diseases.
- Plants with low water and nutritional conditions attract nematodes.
Managing turf grass diseases
Certain management practices are followed to reduce the potential of diseases.
- Grass species: Disease resistant grass species should be selected to avoid diseases. The cultivars with high resistance will reduce the potential of turf grass disease.
For example: Tall Fescue is not affected by summer patch but Kentucky bluegrass is highly susceptible.
- Soil fertility: it is an important factor in disease development. High levels of nitrogen increases the susceptibility of the grass. The diseases like Leaf spot, Rhizoctonia brown patch, Pythium blight, etc are examples of such diseases.
- Mowing: If the turf grass is mowed lower, it is more susceptible to diseases. It creates wounds through which fungi can enter the plant and infect it. Tearing by dull mower blade are more hazardous as it creates bigger wounds.
- Watering: if there is extended water due to dew, guttation and frequent irrigation may result in disease problems in grass.
- Thatch control: the dead and living organic layer between the grass and soil is called as thatch and promotes a number of diseases. It is an excellent habitat for active and dormant stages of disease causing organisms.
- Soil aeration and drainage: Poor soil conditions and poor aeration is the root cause of many diseases caused like Pythium blight and brown patch.
Control of turf grass diseases
Turf grass diseases are easy to manage once you identify the cause. There may be one cause or a combination of causes. It is therefore very useful that you use all the control measures to control the diseases. It is also very helpful to maintain good health of the grass and prevent the disease altogether from occurring.
- Select disease resistant grass species
- Maintain soil fertility with proper doses of nitrogen and potassium
- Mowing should be done with a mower with sharp blades
- The height of grass should be maintained to such an extent to have no big wounds while mowing
- Have proper moisture at the turf and take care that it does not cause fungal infection
- Proper irrigation schedule is to be followed and care is taken to have moisture free periods
- Control of thatch is essential to remove active as well as dormant pathogens
- Core aeration is necessary as it helps in better growth of useful microorganisms and this can be done by breaking clods
- Fungicides can be used routinely on turf grass to prevent any fungal diseases
It is very important to know the real cause of the disease to control it effectively. The disease may be caused because of combination of various things. This will enable you to select the proper management practices and chemicals to control of turf grass diseases. So keep a note that your golf greens are free from diseases to ensure them with an attractive and lasting lush green life ahead.
