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Two-panel turfgrass disease graphic. Left image shows circular brown patch damage on a closely mowed putting green. Right image is a close-up of tall fescue leaves displaying brown patch lesions with dark, scalloped margins; a key is included for size reference. Summary message: Brown patch disease has become active due to favorable warm, humid weather conditions.

article | Disease Control

July 7, 2026: Summer Sequels

Summer sequel of heat approaches; rainfall chances lessen perhaps furthering flash drought symptoms; brown patch awakens; dollar spot severity heightens; Curious about dollar spot recovery? Join us at Field Day on July 21. Weather After a fairly mild month of…
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Pythium root diseases in rain-soaked areas A. Pythium root rot symptoms appearing as a diffuse thinning on a putting green. B. Numerous oospores in affected root tissue.

article | Disease Control

June 4, 2026: Entering the Cauldron

May temperatures mild before summer heat, Pythium root diseases on bentgrass greens and young fairways, curative options for dollar spot that may have slipped through, wet spring can lead to issues all summer long.             …
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Poorly performing lawns in spring are not always disease related A. Homeowner submitted sample showing uneven green driven by Kentucky bluegrass cultivar differences. B. Devoid areas with winter annual invasion likely the result of prior year crabgrass infestation.

article | Disease Control

May 4, 2026: Spring Hits the Brakes

May 2026 hits the brakes on spring; root infection observed on putting greens by soilborne pathogens; constant spring rains = surprise black layer; delayed (or no) spring green up on lawns is not always disease.          …
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Irrigation - Stark differences between golf and lawn A. Golf putting greens are planted on a “big pot” filled with sand and pea gravel. B. Conversely, home lawns are planted on little topsoil and mostly subsoil with fine pore space.

article | Disease Control

April 13, 2026: Spring Marching into Madness

Spring well ahead of schedule; the madness of spring irrigation on lawns; soilborne diseases on putting greens over winter; status of dollar spot and soilborne disease prevention on golf greens.                     …
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Fall Dollar Spot Spark A. Alternating healthy and dollar spot affected stripes from fungicide treated vs. non-treated creeping bentgrass plots. B. Dollar spot outbreak on a Kentucky bluegrass lawn.

article | Disease Control

September 25, 2025: On a Bumpy Mend

Drought impacting lawns for a variety of reasons ; dollar spot resurgence on creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass; scalping and decline in relation to nitrate spikes on putting greens.                      …
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Summer patch on bluegrass and bentgrass A. Summer patch + heat stress on bentgrass green. Inset - ETRI in roots. B. Summer patch symptoms on Kentucky bluegrass rough. Inset - Individual plant symptom.

article | Disease Control

August 26, 2025: Cool Breeze Offers Some Ease

Summer patch hits hard in early August; fall rust outbreaks causing orange shoes; cool temperatures allowing a head start on recovery plans.                                    …
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Root issues on a newly grassed bentgrass putting green. Pythium root dysfunction and root knot nematode attacking at the same time.

article | Disease Control

July 30, 2025: The Fuel & The Fire

Pervasive and disease conducive environment; newly grassed bentgrass green issues; basal rot anthracnose on Poa annua and creeping bentgrass; dollar spot and brown patch still rampaging; Lawn Care Diagnostic Training; New Zoysiagrass Field Day Weather Like a boulder chasing down…
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Rhizattackin’ tall fescue lawns in July A. Photo sent in by homeowner with characteristic brown patch lesions. B. Irrigated tall fescue lawn hit hard with brown patch symptoms.

article | Disease Control

July 9, 2025: Rhizattackin’

Heat & high ET = droughty lawns; brown patch prevalent on irrigated lawns; dollar spot hitting bentgrass fairways with force & lurking on Kentucky bluegrass; 2025 field day in the books; brief pause in turfgrass diagnostic services * Turfgrass diagnostics…
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Rain more widespread throughout the region A. First half of June has delivered widespread and considerable rainfall totals. - MRCC B. Above average rain chances expected to continue through June. - NOAA

article | Disease Control

June 19, 2025: Storms before the Storm

Early summer storms; preparation for impending heat wave; brown patch and leaf spot arrival; zoysia/bermudagrass winterkill and disease activity Weather Yesterday’s storms produced a wallop in the region, with extreme winds felling trees and lodging corn. A wet first half…
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Rain down south; sparser in NE Indiana A. Rainfall again heavy in the southern part of the state and through KY. - NOAA B. Above average rain chances expected for much of the region to end May. - NOAA

article | Disease Control

May 21, 2025: Engines Running

Dollar spot off and racing; Irrigation = Ascochyta blight; Seedheads draining lawn health; Mind mowing decks and blades to reduce clipping issues. Weather  In April 2025, Indiana as a whole had the 30th warmest temperature and 10th most precipitation on…
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The Bath Tub is Full A. Considerable flooding for our friends in southern IN and KY last week. B. All are left with the quandary of when to mow wet turfgrass.

article | Disease Control

April 16, 2025: Muddy Waters

Excessive and in some cases, abusive rainfall amounts; keys to soggy turfgrass management; winter injury potential causes and recovery, red thread, spring golf disease prevention Weather Spring, which officially started on March 20, is rolling along, and into mid-April temperatures…
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September ran warm and dry until Helene hit. Summer like temperatures ran into September.. — MRCC Impact of Helene apparent in this graphic. — MRCC

article | Disease Control

October 2, 2024: Functions of Fall

Snow mold prevention on putting greens; reduced cool season turfgrass disease activity in fall; warm season disease prevention. Weather After a cool start, September turned on the burners and ended 3-5 degrees above normal in the region. Since 1943, September…
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