Brown Patch is a fungal turf disease that primarily affects the roots and crowns of the plant and is caused by Rhizoctonia solani.
What are the Symptoms of Brown Patch?
The symptoms of Brown Patch can vary depending on the grass cultivar, climatic and atmospheric conditions, soil and intensity of turfgrass management. Brown Patch is most severe in Spring and Autumn. Brown Patch infestation is more severe when the turf is cut shorter than the optimum height of the type of turfgrass being grown. General symptoms of Brown Patch include:
Brown discoloured circular patches that range from 5cm to 1-2m in diameter, with the grass in the centre of the ring usually remaining moderately healthy.
The outer ring of the grass turns brown and dies, usually from desiccation due to its damaged root system.
When severe infection occurs, leaf tissue can be affected, making leaves appear water-soaked, eventually drying and withering and turning brown.
When humidity is high, a 'smoke ring', of mycelium may appear as thin brown borders around the diseased patches early in the morning and disappear as the turf dries out.
On wide-bladed species, leaf lesions develop with tan centres and dark brown to black margins.
Brown Patch is caused by a pathogen known as Rhizoctonia solani. Rhizoctonia solani is a soil-borne fungus that can be found in most soils and is known as a cause of disease in both established and seedling turfgrasses. The disease does not produce spores but instead spreads rapidly by mycelial contact. The disease is disseminated via movement of sclerotia which are produced and remain in thatch material.
Rhizoctonia solani has a characteristic mycelium over other patch diseases, whereby the mycelium branches at a 90-degree right angle, allowing for accurate diagnosis in the lab.
When Does Brown Patch Occur?
In general, the conditions favouring Brown Patch are:
High relative humidity and temperatures of over 28°C during the day and over 15.5°C at night.
More than 10 hours a day of foliar wetness for several consecutive days.
Turfgrass species are most affected when night temperatures are consistently above 20°C with high humidity or moisture.
What Turfgrasses are especially susceptible to Brown Patch?
High levels of nitrogen can increase the potential for Brown Patch infection. Hence, fertilisation with a high nitrogenous fertiliser prior to periods of high humidity should be avoided where possible. Other measures to manage Brown Patch include:
Avoiding nitrogen applications when the disease is active and using low-moderate amounts of nitrogen, moderate amounts of phosphorous and moderate-to-high amount of potassium when humidity is high
Increasing the height of cut
Increasing the air circulation, reducing thatch, and minimising the amount of shade.
Irrigating turf early in the day and improving the drainage of the turf.
Removing dew from turf early in the day.
For chemical solutions or treatments for Brown Patch, please see the recommended products below.
Velista is a powerful broad spectrum fungicide that can be used all year round and can be trusted to keep your turf in excellent condition especially when high temperatures and high humidity hit your facility.
Exteris Stressgard Fungicide provides outstanding broad-spectrum disease control, turf quality and application flexibility. Contains a unique SDHI active ingredient as well as new Leaf-Cote technology to improve spray droplet coverage and retention, as well as reduce dry time on the leaf.
Xzemplar™ is a turf fungicide offering advanced systemic movement of the active ingredient, Fluxapyroxad. Xzemplar combines a quick knockdown and powerful, long lasting control.
Captan 800 WG controls a broad spectrum of diseases in turf, ornamentals as well as a range of crops including apples, almonds, grapes, pears, pistachios, stonefruit and strawberries.
Quali-Pro Enclave is registered for the broad spectrum, eradicant, curative and preventative control of Brown Patch, Fusarium Patch, Anthracnose, Dollar Spot, Helminthosporium, Grey Leaf Spot and Spring Dead Spot in all recreational turf management situations.
Banner Maxx is early curative treatment, providing systemic broad-spectrum control of Dollar Spot, Winter Fusarium, and the ERI complex (Couchgrass Decline and Take-all Patch).
Daconil Weather Stik is a contact fungicide that can be used in preventative programs. It can be used as an early curative after the first signs of disease become evident.
Headway Maxx combines the strength, longevity and broad spectrum of Heritage Maxx with the speed and early curative action of Banner Maxx in an unbeatable combination.
Dedicate FORTE Stressgard® is a broad-spectrum DMI fungicide containing tebuconazole (240 g/L) with Stressgard Formulation Technology, and controls tough soil-borne and foliar fungal diseases in both cool and warm season turfgrass.
Dedicate turf fungicide contains two active ingredients with two different modes of action, providing curative and preventative control. It has a contact and systemic action in turf which provides broad spectrum control.
Interface with Stressgard Formulation Technology offers the new standard in turf protection and is Bayer’s most powerful turf fungicide to-date. It manages disease stress leading to improved turf quality and playability.
Shiba fungicide is a liquid suspendable concentrate of Tolclofos methyl 500g/L, and has been specifically registered for the treatment of Brown Patch and Dollar Spot.
Chipco GT is a broad-spectrum fungicide providing unsurpassed control of brown patch, dollar spot, various leafspots, and a variety of other turf diseases.
Azoxy 250 T&O Fungicide (active constituent Azoxystrobin) is an effective xylem systemic fungicide that delivers excellent protection for up to 28 days against a wide spectrum of Turf, Nursery Stock and Ornamental diseases.
Liquid Dek is a contact fungicide that works by forming a protective barrier around the plant tissue (i.e. chemical barrier between the fungus and the plant).
Transact 500 is a broad spectrum fungicide containing 500 g/L of the active constituent Iprodione. It is registered for the control of Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Fusarium Patch, Spring Dead Spot, Curvularia and Helminthosporium disease in all recreational turf situations. It is also registered for the control of Botrytis Blight in ornamental plant applications.
Chloronil Pro Fungicide is a broad spectrum, contact or protectant fungicide for the control of a range of diseases fruit, vegetables and turf. It is registered for the control of Brown Patch, Dollar Spot and Grey Leaf Spot in all recreational turf situations. It is also registered for the control of Botrytis, Grey Mould, Rust and Septoria and Alternaria Leaf Blight for application on ornamental plants.
Edict Duo is a broad spectrum fungicide containing the active ingredients Trifloxystrobin (100g/L) and Tebuconazole (200g/L). It is registered for the control of Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Helminthosporium diseases (including White Helmo), Leptosphaerulina, Curvularia, Dollar Spot and ERI (Ectotrophic Root Infecting Fungi) diseases.
Edict Disease Control is fungicide for use on Lawns, Azaleas, Roses, other general ornamental gardenplants. Edict Disease Control provides systemic andcontact disease control, both on a preventative andcurative basis. Edict controls Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Leptosphaerulina (Leaf Blight), Curvularia (Fading Out) and Dollar Spot in lawn situations. Edict also controls azalea petal blight, myrtle rust, Botrytis Blight, Leaf Spots as well as mildew.
Vantage fungicide is a broad spectrum, systemic fungicide containing 95 g/L of the active constituent Azoxystrobin, a trusted chemistry for Australian turf professionals.
