Brown patch

Brown patch is a major summer disease of lawns and golf courses.The most susceptible grass species include perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and the bentgrasses. Occasionally, brown patch becomes a problem on Kentucky bluegrasses in mid- to late summer during extended periods of high temperature and humidity.
Symptoms and signs. On high-cut turf, patches may be from a few inches up to several feet in diameter and circular. In early morning on dew-covered turf, white mycelium of the causal fungus can often be seen on and between grass leaves and stems in the patch. Sometimes, all the grass within the patch is killed, creating a sunken or “pocket” effect. More often, the turf in these patches is thinned rather than completely killed. Occasionally, no circular pattern can be seen, and the disease appears as a diffuse blight.
On tall fescue, symptoms of brown patch can be observed on individual leaves and not necessarily in patches. Symptoms on leaves appear as irregular tan or light brown lesions surrounded by dark brown borders. In severe cases, the entire stand may look discolored and thinned.
A distinguishing feature of brown patch on golf course putting greens is the presence of dark purplish rings around the periphery of the patches.These are called smoke rings and range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Smoke rings are more pronounced in the early morning hours, usually fading by midday.
Disease cycle. The causal fungus overwinters in the form of resting bodies called sclerotia, either within infected grass tissue or in the soil.The fungus is capable of surviving in soil for years in the absence of a susceptible grass. Disease activity is prevalent when surface moisture and humidity are high, night temperatures are above 68 F and daytime temperatures average 80 F or above. Rainy weather and a saturated atmosphere (100% relative humidity) greatly speed disease development. Disease severity is greater on lush, succulent turfgrass maintained with high nitrogen levels than on grass maintained with moderate levels.