Brown Patch in Fescue

Roughly circular, light brown patches up to several feet in diameter characterize brown patch. New, but thinned grass can eventually appear in the center of the patch, resulting in a "frog-eye" appearance. Dark purple to grayish "smoke ring" is sometimes noticeable around perimeter. Dark purplish-green leaf spots turn light brown with straw or ash-brown centers surrounded by dark border. Promoted by high temperatures (75°-95° F) and humidity, wet soils, extended periods of moisture, heavy thatch and excess nitrogen fertility.

Rust on Zoysia

Turf appears weakened and thin with a reddish brown or yellow to orange color. Leaves have small, light yellow flecks which enlarge and rupture to expose round, oval or elongated powdery, reddish brown to bright orange or lemon yellow spore-filled postules. Powdery spores rub of easily on shoes, clothing and animals. Conditions favoring this disease include moderate to warm temperatures (70° - 85° F), heavy dew, light rains, slow drying leaf surfaces, low fertility, low soil moisture and soil compaction.

Spring Dead Spot on Bermuda Grass

Spring dead spot may occur on bermudagrass lawns of all ages, although it typically appears 3-4 years after the turf has been established. The disease results in the formation of circular or arc-shaped patches of dead turf in early spring as bermudagrass breaks winter dormancy. The dead patches, which are slightly depressed and straw-colored, may range in size from several inches to several feet in diameter and normally are randomly distributed throughout the lawn. Roots and stolons of affected plants are often dark brown to black and are severely rotted. It may be necessary to dig up a piece of sod near the margin of the dead area and wash it in water to observe this symptom. Bermudagrass slowly recolonizes spring dead spot areas, and by late summer there may be little or no evidence of the disease. Unfortunately, enlarged dead patches reappear the following spring in the same locations. Over a number of years, the patches can become quite large, coalesce, and develop arc-like patterns in the lawn. After 7 to 10 years, disease severity may begin to decrease to the extent that spring dead spot no longer occurs in the lawn.