Author: Richard Latin

Lawn Diseases 2016

The summer of 2016 has been quite favorable for the development of an assortment of infectious diseases on residential turf.  The primary driver of all of this disease activity is the weather.  In the lower Midwest, the combination of elevated...
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New Turf Disease Publications

Turfgrass Disease Profiles: Root Knot NematodeThis publication describes the root knot nematode life cycle, and how to identify and manage them in turf. Free download at: http://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-121-W.pdf Turfgrass Disease Profiles: Spring Dead SpotSpring dead spot (SDS) is the most serious disease of...
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More fungicide applications for snow mold control?

Over the past two weeks I received many calls regarding the mild conditions and concerns about effectiveness of fungicide applications for snow mold control.  The major question is whether or not to make another application at this time.  Consider he...
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Turfgrass Disease Profiles: Turf Disease Identification

This publication will help turf managers know what to look for when they diagnose infectious turf diseases on the course and in the field. Readers will understand the components of the disease triangle (host, pathogen, and environment), and then be able to use that concept to develop a systematic approach identifying turf disease.

(BP-124-W)


PDF

PDF version of Turfgrass Disease Profiles: Turf Disease Identification

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Snow Molds in the Winter of 2013-14

From a turf disease perspective, evidence of the severity of this winter is apparent in the extent of snow mold development.  Symptoms of Typhula snow molds (gray snow mold and speckled snow mold), and/or pink snow mold are obvious throughout...
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Rust Disease – 2013

The 2013 rust disease outbreak seems to have arrived a little earlier than usual.  My thoughts about the current rust epidemic are intended for lawn care professionals, who must address reasonable questions from their clients.  Most professionals are very familiar...
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Spring Diseases in the Midwest

Spring has finally arrived and it is accompanied by the usual compliment of infectious turf diseases.  There should be no confusion between two “rhizoctonia” diseases.  Yellow patch (aka cool season brown patch) prevails during early spring, when rainy weather is...
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Weather and Turf Diseases

From a temperature perspective, weather patterns in the Midwest have returned to normal this spring.  I recall the 80 F days in March 2012, and all of the concerns about scheduling fungicide sprays.  Hopefully most turf managers have resisted the...
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Weather and Turf Disease –Early Spring 2013

Nobody needs to be reminded that March 2013 has been colder than the last several years.  The good thing is that wintry conditions prevent wasted fungicide applications.  Keep watching the summer patch soil temperature monitor.  Remember that there are several...
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Turf Notes: Disease and Fungicide Update

Early Season Dollar Spot Sprays The pathogen must be active in order for the mycelium to absorb a fungicide.  We know that Sclerotinia homoeocarpa grows when temperatures remain above 55F in the presence of ample moisture.  If such conditions prevail...
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Gray Leaf Spot

Recent weather (remnants of hurricane Isaac) raised concerns about gray leaf spot in the Ohio Valley and the lower Midwest in general.  You may recall that the pathogen does not overwinter efficiently in the Midwest, and inoculum (airborne spores) from...
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Purdue Annual Turfgrass Research Report

As the green industry continues to have a large impact on Indiana and the nation, Purdue University has assembled an outstanding team of researchers, extension personnel, and educators that are dedicated to solving problems and helping meet the needs of...
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Activity of Turfgrass Pathogens

A new posting has been added to Turfcast. See Turfcast (http://btny.agriculture.purdue.edu/turfcast/) to read more about this post and for a daily summary of risk for several turfgrass diseases. Rick Latin, Turfgrass Pathologist
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Turf Disease Watch

A new posting has been added to Turfcast. See Turfcast (http://btny.agriculture.purdue.edu/turfcast/ ) to read more about this post and for a daily summary of risk for several turfgrass diseases. Rick Latin, Turfgrass Pathologist
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Turf Disease Watch

A new posting has been added to Turfcast. See Turfcast (http://btny.agriculture.purdue.edu/turfcast/ ) to read more about this post and for a daily summary of risk for several turfgrass diseases. Rick Latin, Turfgrass Pathologist
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Brown Patch–initial outbreaks

A new posting has been added to Turfcast. See Turfcast (http://btny.agriculture.purdue.edu/turfcast/ ) to read more about brown patch and for a daily summary of risk for several turfgrass diseases.   Rick Latin, Turfgrass Pathologist
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Snow mold damage – 2011

Melting snows revealed some significant snow mold damage. As you know there are two types of snow mold diseases, gray snow mold (aka Typhula blight) and pink snow mold (Microdochium patch). Although they create similar symptoms (circular patches of tan...
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Rick Latin on Sabbatical Leave

Rick Latin will be on sabbatical from October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011.  He will be conducting research on turf disease management and fungicide performance with Dr. Phil Harmon at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.  Rick will...
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Rust Diseases

Rust is a disease of taller mown turf. Outbreaks are most common on residential lawns, low budget athletic fields, and, occasionally, on golf course roughs. A variety of related fungi cause rust. Ccommon names include leaf rust, crown rust, and...
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