Pet-Friendly Pesticides for Children and Pets

Credit: Lane Tredway: Pyriculria grisea: fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, St. Augustinegrass: irregular blighted spots of grass with bleached spots with dark margins on leaves; ryegrass develops a fishhook appearance: daytime temperatures of 8595F; high humidity or rainfall; overwatered and overfertilized grass: water correctly; don't overfertilize; reduce shading; boost air movement: fungicides are readily available, however cultural controls are more practical Fusarium patch damage to bentgrass turf.

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McCain: Microdochium nivale: yearly bluegrass, bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, zoysiagrass: circular spots of 12 inches that can increase the size of to 12 inches; leaves initially appear watersoaked, then reddish brown, and lastly bleached; minute, gelatinous spore masses sometimes seen on dead leaves; white or pinkish fungal threads may be seen in early morning; more prevalent in Central and Northern California: regularly cool temperature levels (4065F) and wet conditions; high nitrogen applications in fall; neutral or alkaline soil pH; pathogen survives in lawn residues: minimize shade and enhance soil aeration and water drain; water proper length of time; avoid excess nitrogen, particularly in fall; keep soil pH between 6.56.7.

Credit: M. Ali Harivandi: Bipolaris spp. and Helminthosporium spp.: bermudagrass, bluegrasses, fescues, kikuyugrass, ryegrasses, zoysiagrasses: circular to lengthened brownish areas with brown centers and dark brown or purple verge on leaf blades, sheaths, and stems; crowns and roots regularly have a dark brown rot; crown-infected plants may die in hot, windy weather condition, leaving thinned locations throughout the turf; spores are windborne: warm temperatures (7090F) for bluegrasses, ryegrasses, and fescues; cool temperature levels (6070F) for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass; high humidity; low clipped turfgrass; most serious with excess nitrogen fertilization or shortage: reduce shade; improve soil aeration and water drain; prevent dry spots and too much nitrogen fertilizer; maintain as high a cutting height as possible: fungicides available but typically not required Pythium blight (grease spot), triggered by Pythium sp., on a ryegrass and bluegrass lawn.

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Ali Harivandi: Pythium spp.: all yards: little, circular areas (26 inches) that run together; blackened leaf blades rapidly wither, turn reddish brown, lie flat, stick, and appear greasy; roots might be brown; in damp conditions, masses of fungal mycelium may appear: low spots that remain damp; warm temperature levels (8095F daytime, > 68F night time); survives as spores in soil for long durations: decrease shading; enhance soil aeration and water drain; water appropriate length of time; avoid trimming wet turf and using high levels of nitrogen during hot, humid weather: fungicides available but mostly avoided by cultural practices in California Patches of high fescue turfgrass contaminated with Rhizoctonia blight.

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Credit: Arthur H. McCain: Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2LP: bermudagrasses, kikuyugrass, St. Augustine lawn, zoysiagrass: very first appears as small, irregular brown spots or rings that can expand to many feet in diameter; centers might recover leading to rings of unhealthy turf; leaves and sheaths end up being watersoaked, wilt, turn light brown, and pass away; plants pull out easily from soil with rotten stolons, in light invasions, roots usually not infected and plants frequently recuperate; soil-inhabiting fungus that forms fine, fungal threads in soil or on turfgrass: excess thatch and mat in addition to cool temperature levels (6070F); damp soil conditions: decrease shading and improve soil aeration and water drainage; water suitable length of time to a depth of 46 inches; prevent excess nitrogen in the fall; preserve thatch less than 1/2 inch: fungicide beneficial if disease severe in past Red thread damage to grass foliage.

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McCain: Laetisaria fuciformis: bentgrasses, bermudagrasses bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses: red thread might kill turfgrass in patches that are 28 inches in size, or the illness might occur over big areas without killing the plants; pink web of fungal threads bind the leaves together; search for pink, gelatinous fungal crusts projecting from the leaves to help determine this disease: common under conditions of moderate air temperatures (6075F) and extended periods of leaf wetness; typically appears on plants deficient in nitrogen throughout periods of cool or warm temperatures if there is adequate wetness (e.g., excess irrigation or rains): appropriate watering and fertilization can minimize the occurrence; appropriate nitrogen usually can prevent this illness from occurring; avoid dry spell stress by watering turfgrass based upon evapotranspiration needs of the turfgrass; supply appropriate air circulation; reduce shading: fungicides rarely warranted other than in serious cases Rust damage to bluegrass foliage.