Lawn and Turf: Take-all patch

Biology

Take-all patch is a fungal disease common on bentgrass, particularly on young plants. Symptoms first appear in late spring as small, brown, dead areas of grass approximately 2″ in diameter. The patches continue to enlarge, often reaching a yard or more in diameter over a period of years. Roots and crowns are killed. The centers of killed areas may be invaded by weedy species, resulting in a doughnut-shaped dead ring. Mixed grass plantings may show thinned areas rather than distinct dead patches. The fungus survives in infected tissues and debris and can be spread by contaminated equipment. Take-all patch is most severe on 1- to 4-year-old bentgrass plantings, especially those on sandy soils. Bluegrasses and fescues are rarely infected.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Use bentgrass in mixture with take-all resistant grasses such as perennial ryegrasses or fescues.
• Rake and reseed diseased areas.
• Provide proper culture. Adequate, balanced fertilization helps prevent disease. Ammonium sulfate is the best nitrogen source for suppressing take-all.
• Maintain proper soil acidity. Alkaline or recently limed soils have a higher disease incidence.
• Provide good drainage. Remove thatch and aerify as needed.
• Water in the morning so grass can dry quickly. Deep, infrequent waterings are best. Do not overwater.
• For more information on proper care of lawns see EB0482E, Home Lawns where a PDF document for home lawns may be download at no cost.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended

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