Red Grass Fungus

Identification

• The fungus Laetisaria fuciformis causes red thread, a disease that's most common in ryegrass and fescue. Red fescue typically suffers the most damage from this fungal disease. Temperatures ranging from 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit favor the development of red thread.

Symptoms

• The symptoms associated with red thread include water-soaked lesions on grass, followed by drying of grass blades. Eventually, infected grass turns light brown and develops a sticky pink fungal coating when damp. This coating turns red and thready on grass blades.

Control

• Control red thread by shortening the mowing height of grass, reducing the content of grass moisture. Application of fertilizer is also helpful in reducing the effects of red thread. Fungicides are necessary only in severe cases of the disease.