Pythium
South (only)
Grass species affected
Disease occurrence
- Throughout the year
- Pythium is a root rot disease.
- Symptoms are usually associated with wet soil conditions, either from excessive rainfall or irrigation. Poor drainage conditions compound the problem.
Symptoms
- Symptoms seen on the leaf blades result from the fungal activity on the roots and indicates a general decline in turf quality.
- Small to large areas of grass become yellow, light-green, or brown in color and the turf begins to thin out.
- Roots appear thin and discolored, but are not black and rotted as they are with “take-all root rot.”
Management
- Aerate to improve drainage.
- Water deeply and infrequently early in the day to allow the leaf blades to dry off and not remain wet for long periods of time.
- Mow unaffected areas first and diseased areas last to avoid infecting a healthy lawn.
- Collect and dispose of grass clippings in the garbage when pythium is present.
- To avoid spreading the fungus, after mowing, clean the mower blades by rinsing with water and drying with a cloth.
