Brown Patch? Take all patch/rot?

njc9975 – posted 13 February 2005 13:58

I live in the greater Houston area. The sod in my backyard is about 14 months old. There is a large circular area (about 10-12 ft in diameter) of brown grass. Down below the surface I can see dark, almost black-like grass. I think I have a serious case of brown patch or take-all root rot. My questions are 1) What can I do to cure? (Fungicides don’t seem to help), and 2) The area seems like the lowest part in the yard: what can I do to raise the level?

wdrake – posted 13 February 2005 16:31

Pull or dig several samples of dead sod. If you have black/brown roots you could have take all root rot. Fungicides work primairly as preventative for this nasty disease. You might try folage feeding, reduce watering, raise cutting height, etc. While you are doing all this collect some samples and take to your county extension agent and he can point you to someone who can identify your problem.

ted – posted 13 February 2005 17:52

you’ve got a drainage problem- all the fungicides in the world won’t help- you’ll have to remove the sod, regrade, and resod

njc9975 – posted 28 February 2005 21:04

(This is njc9975). Ok, I think it is a drainage problem. If I pull up that area of sod, how do I go about re-grading? Is it something I can do myself? (the area is about a 10-15 ft diamater circular area..)Thanks for any help,

Turfmiester – posted 14 March 2005 17:52

Brown Patch Rhizoctonia solani) favors high relative humidty as well as temptures over 85 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. It can be quite active at cool temps on warm season grasses in the spring and fall. Also if there has been more than 10 hrs. a day of foliar wetness for many days. Try raising the height you are mowing your grass, reduce thatch, increase air circulation, and improve drainage. Never slight drainage. Use a contact or penetrant fungicide. I would contact your local County Extension Agent for the right fungicide to use. I hope I have been helpful.

Sincerly’Henry