Red Thread

Red Thread Disease is a fungal infection found on lawns and other turfed areas. It is caused by thecorticioid fungus Laetisaria fuciformis and has two separate stages. The stage that gives the infection its name is characterised by very thin, red, needle-like strands extending from the grass blade. These are stromata, which can remain viable in soil for two years. After germinating, the stromata infect grass leaf blades through their stomata. The other stage is visible as small, pink, cotton wool-likemycelium, found where the blades meet. It is common when both warmth and humidity are high.