RADIO TRANSCRIPT
May 1, 2023
Taylor Campbell

This is Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center. Today’s program is on brown patch of fescue. While fescue is one of the best-adapted grasses to this area, it is not entirely problem-free. Hot, humid conditions in late spring create perfect growing conditions for a fungal pathogen called Rhizoctonia. This pathogen causes a common disease of fescue known as brown patch. Brown patch typically shows up in late spring and causes large brown patches in the turf that average around 4 inches to 3 feet in diameter. Individual leaves will show lesions. Cultural control is the best method of prevention. High nitrogen in the soil can promote brown patch, so it is best to limit nitrogen application to about half a pound per 1,000 square feet. Water turf only in the morning to allow excess water to evaporate. Remove thatch, the layer of dead leaf blades, to less than half an inch. Soil drainage is important, so consider aerating the soil when the threat of insect pests is low. If prevention doesn’t help, a fungicide can be used to treat affected areas. If brown patch is a recurring problem, consider reseeding with a different type of grass. This has been Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke County Center. For more information, call us at 764-9480.