Pythium Root Rot in Bermudagrass Greens

With wet, cool conditions fall and into winter, comes the threat of Pythium root rot in bermudagrass greens. Research shows specific fungicides and an integrated approach with cultural practices are required to limit the effects of this devastating disease.

• Causal agents – multiple Pythium spp. cause Pythium root rot of bermudagrass, so this disease is always a threat whenever a saturated root zone exists
• Symptoms – water-soaked leaves initially followed by thinning and reduced root mass in excessively damp areas
• Cultural controls – as with all diseases, maximizing turf health will help limit damage from Pythium root rot. Focus especially on root zone characteristics, water management, winter sunlight, and air movement
• Fungicide controls
  • Preventative control on 7 to 21-day intervals is critical on courses with a history of damage
  • Reduce application interval with cooler and wetter conditions
  • Signature™ XTRA Stressgard^® is truly systemic so watering-in is not necessarily needed to protect roots compared to other fungicides that only move up in the plant
  • Add or rotate Banol^®, Lexicon^® Intrinsic^®, Serata^®, and/or Segway^® to Signature XTRA Stressgard throughout the winter and water in these fungicides
• Maximum root protection
  • Apply Signature XTRA Stressgard + Banol + Indemnify^® twice on a 28-day interval to protect turf roots from Pythium as well as nematodes 
  • Add Tartan^® Stressgard, Mirage^®, or Densicor^® to provide further protection from take all root rot and fairy ring
  • Watch for Envu’s new Resilia^® this fall that will eliminate the need to tank-mix to control root pathogens
• Need more info? – Follow all label directions and contact your Envu Area Sales Manager if you need assistance 

Solution sheet - Pythium root rot

 

Pythium root rot affecting an ultra-dwarf bermudagrass green in January, primarily in the higher stress clean-up laps (Envu)