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Take-All Patch - Fungus



Take-all patch.

 

The organic program is the solution for Take-All Patch. The program will get the soil and grass back to a healthy, stress free condition. Synthetic fertilizers, toxic pesticides and over-watering are the causes of this fungal disease problem. Peat moss is recommended now by some researchers, but the better solution is compost or compost tea. Peat moss is dead, compost is alive. Even most of the chemical boys are no longer recommending the toxic fungicides, which is good because they don’t work and they are dangerous neurotoxins. Despite the criticism of whole ground cornmeal and garlic, these tools are also very effective in fighting this and other fungal diseases.

 

Take-All Patch (Bermuda Decline)

 

Take-All Patch is a disease that can attack several species of grass. It is caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis, and is mostly found in St. Augustine grass but can also cause problems in Bermuda grass. It is most active during the fall, winter and spring, especially during moist weather.

 

The first symptom is often yellow leaves and dark roots. Area of discolored and dying leaves will be circular to irregular in shape, up to 20 feet in diameter and thinning occurs. Unlike brown patch, the leaves of take-all infected plants do not easily separate from the plant when pulled. Stolons will often have discolored areas with brown to black roots.

 

Regrowth of the grass into the affected area is often slow and unsuccessful because the new growth becomes infected. Controlling take-all patch is said to be difficult but isn’t with organic techniques. Good surface and subsurface drainage is important. Cut back on watering and fertilizing. Use only organic fertilizers. If soil compaction exists, aeration will help to alleviate this condition and allow the grass to establish a deeper, more vigorous root system.

 

Prevent Take-All Patch by maintaining healthy soil. Control the active disease by aeration, cornmeal and compost and the Basic Organic Program.

 

SEE Dollar Spot Fungal Disease

 

 

 

 

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