Brown Patch appears as a round patch that can range in size from a few centimetres to a metre in diameter.
The disease occurs on cool season and warm season turf grass species. At temperatures around 15 to 20°C, the spores germinate and begin to grow. When night temperatures are consistently above 20°C and moisture or humidity is high, the disease becomes most damaging.
Initially, affected leaves become water-soaked and have a dark, purplish-green appearance as the disease sets in. The leaves quickly die and turn dark brown. In periods of high humidity, a “smoke ring” of mycelium appears on the outer ring of the patch. This is indicated by a dark-brown, slightly grey ring on the outer edge of the patch.
The disease is more likely in spring and autumn, when humidity can be higher, and less likely during dry summer months. It is also worse in soils that struggle with poor drainage or are over-irrigated, where the leaf wetness encourages Brown Patch development.
The most widespread of all turf grass diseases, Brown Patch is not commonly seen outside of closely mown areas.
It can take hold in a few hours and can ruin the aesthetics of the turf very quickly.
The team at Lawn Addicts can help manage Brown Patch with correct warm or cool season grass identification, followed by top-quality lawn care programs. Message us for further advice on other products.