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A Yellow Fungus on the Lawn

Lawn grass is often affected by different diseases. Fungal diseases in turfgrass often produce yellow-colored grass, which is a result of fungus that is often difficult to control and eliminate.
  1. Identification

    • Rhizoctonia yellow patch is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis and most commonly affects Kentucky bluegrass. This disease is favored by wet weather and often infects new sod.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms associated with Rhizoctonia yellow patch include yellow patches of grass, which rapidly turn brown in color which can reach well over two feet in diameter. Rhizoctonia yellow patch is characterized by frog-eye spots on grass, which are best described as yellow grass circles with green centers.

    Control

    • Rhizoctonia yellow patch is a fungal disease. Therefore, reducing moisture and increasing air circulation in grass are essential for control. Currently, there are no fungicides approved for the treatment of Rhizoctonia yellow patch. Keeping lawn grass healthy and stress-free is one way to reduce fungal disease development.