Anthracnose is a selection of fungal diseases that either attacks the roots and/or the foliage. It is quite invasive in warm, humid environments. The diseases often follow a common symptom pattern.
Basal rot is where the disease affects crown and root tissue, whereas the key disease affecting the leaves is foliar blight. Basal rot is often a symptom of anthracnose during cool wet periods. Foliar blight is more common during warmer temperatures and can be mistaken for drought stress.
Normally, in warm and humid conditions when the turf is wet, leaves of infected plants turn yellow and finally light-tan to brown and then die. Juvenile leaves often turn red.
Affected plants are easy to remove by hand. The disease kills in irregular-shaped patterns. The overall colour of affected patches is reddish-brown, turning yellow, then tan to brown. There is often blackening at the base of the plant. This is caused by acervulus, which is involved in pathogen reproduction.
Turf identification is the important first step in treating anthracnose, and Lawn Addicts has a variety of professional lawn care products available online.