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Anthracnose Guide

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

Anthracnose Identification Guide

How to Identify Anthracnose Lawn Disease

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that affects various parts of your lawn, including the foliage and the crown of the turf. The disease manifests in two distinct phases, each with its own set of symptoms. You may notice only one phase, depending on the severity of the infection.

  • Foliar Blight Phase: Affects the leaf blades.
  • Crown Rot Phase: Targets the base of the grass and the lower stems.

Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial, as delaying treatment can make it much harder to control the disease.

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Foliar Blight Phase

In this stage, the disease impacts the upper parts of the grass, primarily the leaves.

  • The grass turns yellow or yellow-orange and starts to decay from the top downward.
  • Tan lesions appear, often with fuzzy dark spore structures.
  • These lesions signal that the disease is progressing.
  • Affected turf may show in patches of varying sizes.
  • The distinctive dark spore structures, called acervuli, are unique to anthracnose and are key to identifying this condition.

Crown Rot Phase

Crown rot affects the base of the turf and the lower stems of the grass.

  • Grass shows yellowish-orange discoloration similar to the foliar phase.
  • The lower stems rot, becoming dark and wet.
  • Grass can be easily pulled up from the ground due to rot.
  • Dark, blackened spots appear on the affected grass blades.

Treatment and Control

By identifying the early signs of anthracnose and acting quickly, you can prevent further damage. Treatment involves addressing both the visible signs of infection and the underlying fungal cause. Regular monitoring and early intervention are key to managing this turf disease effectively.

Anthracnose Inspection Guide

How to Inspect for Anthracnose Lawn Disease

Regular inspections are crucial for managing and preventing anthracnose on your turf. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of this disease early, you can act quickly to control it and minimize its impact.

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Step1 Inspect Your Lawn During Stressful Conditions

Anthracnose thrives when your lawn is under stress from external factors such as drought, high temperatures, low nitrogen levels, improper mowing, and more. Keep an eye out for signs of yellowing, diminished growth, or any unusual changes in the appearance of your grass. These are key indicators that the turf may be stressed and more susceptible to disease.

Step2 Recognize the Key Symptoms of Anthracnose

When inspecting for anthracnose, it's important to know what to look for to differentiate it from other diseases that cause grass to yellow.

  • Foliar Blight Phase: In this stage, look for dark spots on the leaf blades. Initially, the blades will turn yellow, then darken and form black or dark-colored spores. When viewed closely with a magnifying lens (10x), you may notice a fuzzy, hair-like texture on the lesions.
  • Crown Rot Phase: In this phase, you’ll observe yellowed and darkened leaves, but the key area to inspect is near the base of the grass and lower stems. Here, you will find rotting turf that appears damp and blackened lesions on the grass blades.

The affected areas of turf may appear as small patches, which can grow and merge into larger decayed sections.

Anthracnose Treatment Guide

Timing is Crucial for Effective Treatment

Treating anthracnose, like other fungal turf diseases, requires an understanding of when and how to act for optimal results. Early intervention is key to controlling this damaging disease.

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Step1 Prevent Anthracnose Before It Starts

Once anthracnose takes hold in your lawn, it becomes much harder to manage, making preventative treatment essential. Applying a fungicide before the spores have a chance to germinate significantly increases your chances of success.

Timing:
Apply a fungicide labeled for anthracnose early in the spring before the spores begin to spread. Many fungicides work best during the early stages of the disease cycle, so timely application is crucial. You can contact your local extension office for more precise timing based on your area.

If you've experienced anthracnose in past seasons, be sure to focus your treatment on those areas.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step2 Act Quickly, Rotate Products, and Reapply

If you notice any signs of anthracnose, begin treatment immediately. Use a fungicide specifically formulated for this disease to address the symptoms and prevent it from spreading further. Applying fungicide to unaffected areas of your lawn can also help contain the disease.

Rotating Fungicides:
To avoid resistance, rotate fungicides that contain different active ingredients. This prevents the fungus from adapting to a single treatment and ensures continuous control.

Reapplication:
It may be necessary to reapply fungicides multiple times, especially if symptoms persist. Always follow the application instructions on the product label to ensure proper use. If the disease reappears, repeat the treatment, but be sure to use a different fungicide if you’ve been using the same one.

For long-term prevention, consider starting preventative applications the following spring to keep the disease from returning.

Anthracnose Treatment Infographic

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Anthracnose Prevention Guide

Prevent Anthracnose by Maintaining a Healthy Lawn

When your lawn is under stress from environmental factors or other pressures, it becomes more susceptible to diseases like anthracnose. This fungal disease is more likely to take hold when your lawn is weakened.

Foliar Anthracnose typically appears when your lawn is stressed by conditions such as heat, drought, mowing too short, soil compaction, or insufficient nitrogen.
Crown Rot Anthracnose is more common when there is excess moisture in the roots due to overwatering or poor drainage, combined with heavy foot traffic.

The best way to prevent anthracnose is by ensuring your lawn remains as healthy and stress-free as possible.

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Step1 Maintain Your Lawn Properly

Proper lawn care is the most effective defense against diseases like anthracnose. Focus on key areas such as fertilization, watering, and mowing. Following a lawn care routine tailored to your turf type will help maintain its health and appearance, reducing the likelihood of disease outbreaks.

Step2 Apply Preventative Fungicides Each Season

In addition to maintaining a healthy lawn, applying preventative fungicides every season can help keep your turf free from diseases.

It’s important to rotate fungicide products each year, using different active ingredients and modes of action to prevent the fungus from becoming resistant to a single treatment.

To make the process even easier, consider joining the Pest Control Superstore Turf Box program. This service delivers a customized preventative disease control plan to your door each season, taking the guesswork out of your lawn care routine.

Products we recommend for Step 2

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