Article 1 – Fusarium Blight: Identify and Control -How to Treat Fusarium Patch? –

What is Fusarium Blight?

In the United States, fusarium wilt is a soil-borne disease that affects potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants. Disease-causing fungi (Fusarium roseum and F. tricinctum) enter the ground and clog the plant’s water channels. When the infection spreads into the roots and leaves, causing the foliage to wilt and turn yellow. Although it can also infect warm-season grasses, the disease primarily affects cool-season grasses such as bentgrass, bluegrass, and tall fescue. The disease is most harmful in hot, humid weather when turfgrasses are weakened by dryness.

Symptoms and Signs of Fusarium Blight

Disease signs are more likely to emerge later in the growing season, and they are initially observed on the older leaves. As the infection spreads, the plant’s younger leaves will be harmed, and it will finally die. In many situations, symptoms appear on only one branch or side of the plant.

At first, infected grass has bright green patches 2 to 6 inches in diameter. The damaged areas may take the form of circular patches or crescent shapes. When exposed to high temperatures, the patches rapidly transform from bright green to brown color, then tan, and ultimately straw-colored. At this stage, the most obvious symptom is a doughnut-shaped zone with healthy grass in the center, giving the infected area a “frog-eye” look.

Fusarium wilt may survive for years in the soil and is spread by water, insects, and garden equipment. The fungal illness thrives in hot weather and is most dangerous when soil temperatures surpass 80°F. The dry season and low moisture levels encourage this fungal infection.

How to Control and Treat Fusarium Blight?

It takes time and effort to keep your garden healthy. And, identifying the problem is the first step toward resolving it. Here are some pointers for identifying problems and remedies for restoring your lawn’s health.

Fusarium blight is a fungal infection that can affect your grass. It is mainly frequent in the central and northeastern United States. Small tan patches that emerge in early summer might be used to identify the diseases. It is preferable to prevent this condition rather than attempt to cure it. Blight-resistant seed or sod should be used. Ensure careful to water your yard fully. It may be able to control fusarium wilt by solarizing your soil, depending on your location. This entails wrapping it in plastic and exposing it to extremely high temperatures over an extended length of time. Keep your gardening equipment clean and soil-free. Fusarium diseases can be transferred to new soil by contaminated equipment and shoes. For the first 2-3 months, mow on the high side using sharp tools.

Fusarium blight usually takes 3 to 5 years to complete its life cycle. There is no chemical control that has been verified to be completely successful. Begin by enhancing the health and strength of your grass. Lightly fertilize in late May, again in early September, and once more in late October. Maintain a grass height of 3 to 4 inches. During dry seasons, water your grass thoroughly. Although maintenance will not cure the infection, a healthy lawn will withstand it and recover more rapidly.

Article 2 – What is Fusarium Patch and How to Treat Fusarium Patch Diseases? – Early Signs and Symptoms-

Is there a weird white slime on your lawn? It might be infected with Fusarium Patch Disease. A Fusarium patch is a typical lawn problem that appears in warm, moist conditions. The fungus Microdochium nivale is the main cause of this infection. It is most common in the fall, winter, and early spring, but attacks can occur at any time of year.

Fusarium patch flourishes in temperatures below 15°C and in places with more than 10 hours of foliar wetness per day. It also prefers regions with high nitrogen fertility but low phosphorus and potash. Fusarium patch also affects regions with weak growth and a lot of thatch. Fusarium Patch is most often found in turfs, and it mostly affects the grass species listed below.

• Annual Meadow Grass
• Bents
• Fescues
• Perennial Rye-Grass

What is the Cause of Fusarium?

Fusarium patch disease is caused by extreme winter weather, low light, shorter daylight hours, morning mists, and nighttime temperatures that remain above seasonal norms. Fusarium may leave your grass with some temporary scarring. In the spring, though, the grass usually recovers fast. A severe case of Fusarium, on the other hand, might cause extensive damage and necessitate substantial repairs.

What are the Symptoms?

Fusarium spores are in the ground beneath your lawn and are being carried away by the wind. You can’t get away from them, and they’re usually harmless. They eat dead plant detritus and aid in its decay. ‘Good’ soil microbes typically keep Fusarium populations in control. When conditions are good, however, the fungus grows rapidly and begins feeding on live plants.

The first thing you’ll notice is most likely a patch of orange grass. Patches are often uneven in form. They start out tiny but rapidly expand. When you look closely at the discolored spots, you will find little white fibers (Microdochium nivale) clinging to the grass. Symptoms include;

• Circular water-soaked patches in the early stages
• Color shifts from orange-brown to reddish-brown or tan
• The infection will almost never spread to the crown of the plant or totally destroy it.
• White mycelial growth may form in humid, cold temperatures.

How do you Treat Fusarium Patches?

Fusarium is a condition produced by nature; therefore, the greatest treatment is likewise found in nature. A change in weather to cooler temperatures, higher light levels, and more air circulation typically resolves the issue. If possible, avoid stepping on or mowing the lawn. If you must mow, make sure to clean the mower blades afterward to avoid reinfection properly. If your grass is badly damaged by Fusarium, contact a lawn care professional. Lawn care specialists are authorized to apply more potent chemical controls.

A clean lawn is the best defense against Fusarium patch disease. This entails taking into account the turf’s growth environment all through the years. Light, air, nourishment, and water are all necessary for healthy grass. Fusarium, like other fungi, thrives in moist, confined, quiet, low-light environments. If any of these variables can be improved, disease resistance will improve in the future.