BP-109-W

Turfgrass Disease Profiles

Pythium Blight
Richard Latin, Professor of Plant Pathology

P ythium blight attacks all cool season

grasses, but outbreaks are especially
damaging to creeping bentgrass,
annual bluegrass, and perennial
ryegrass. Pythium development may
occur on Kentucky bluegrass and tall
fescue, but disease severity is often
limited and damage is manageable.
Among turfgrass diseases, Pythium
blight receives considerable attention
because it spreads very quickly,
affects leaves and crowns, and kills
Figure 1
plants, resulting in extensive loss of
the turf stand.
Pythium blight occurs during the
most uncomfortable days of summer,
when dew periods are long (greater
Gray Snow Mold than 14 hours) and evening tempera-
Pink Snow Mold tures average 68° F or higher. Out-
breaks often are first observed in low
Leaf Spot/Melting Out areas or swales, where more soil
moisture is maintained and dew
Red Thread begins to form early in the evening
and remains through the morning.
Dollar Spot Late afternoon rain-showers during Figure 2
Brown Patch these hot humid periods further favor
disease development and may be
Gray Leaf Spot responsible for rapid spread of the
pathogen. Turf with lush growth and
Anthracnose excessive nitrogen fertility is especially
vulnerable to infection.
Pythium Blight
The hot, humid weather should
Leaf Rust signal an alert for Pythium blight
outbreaks. Initial symptoms include
Powdery Mildew small circular patches of collapsed,
Slime Mold water-soaked leaves and stems on
close mown turf (Fig. 1). The cottony
Figure 3
Fairy Ring white mycelium may be associated
with affected plants if observed early
Take All Patch in the morning (Fig. 2). If disease favorable conditions persist, and no efforts
are made to interfere with disease progress, large areas of turf may be killed
Summer Patch within a matter of days. (Fig. 3).
Necrotic Ring Spot
Turfgrass Disease Profiles Pythium Blight BP-109-W

The Pythium fungus over winters in soil and plant Accurate identification and confirmation of Pythium
debris. Spread is associated with water movement. blight is important because the most effective fungi-
Surface water can transport spores as run-off drains cides may not be effective against any other diseases
through areas of symptomatic turf. Also, the fungus is (Table 1). Therefore, distinguishing between Pythium
readily spread by equipment after affected areas are blight and other diseases that may occur during the
mowed while they are still wet. heat of the summer (brown patch, gray leaf spot,
summer patch, and dollar spot) is especially
Disease Control important.
Cultural Control Options
Varieties of creeping bentgrass and perennial Table 1. Fungicides used for Pythium blight control and an
assessment of their relative efficacy.
ryegrass appear to be equally susceptible to Pythium
blight infection. Other species are somewhat less Fungicide Product name Topical activity Relative
susceptible but varietal differences within species efficacy
have not been identified, and they may not be suitable fosetyl Aliette Signature® systemic +++
replacements for susceptible species. aluminum
mefenoxam Subdue Maxx® systemic +++
Modifying the environment may contribute to a
propamocarb Banol® systemic +++
reduction in the severity of Pythium blight. Water
azoxystrobin Heritage® systemic ++
management and proper drainage to avoid water-
chlorothalonil Daconil® contact +
logged root zones during summer are especially
mancozeb Fore® contact +
important. Selective pruning of trees and shrubs and
use of fans will help circulate air and dry turfgrass +++ best chance of satisfactory control if proper rates are used prior to
surfaces, effectively limiting the duration of the dew severe outbreaks
period. Avoiding conditions that approach excessive ++ effective if used strictly as a preventative
+ some efficacy, but used primarily as a tank mix with other
nitrogen fertility during mid-summer will reduce
fungicides above
vulnerability to Pythium outbreaks. Because of the
survival and spread characteristics of the pathogen,
Pythium outbreaks normally occur in the same “prob- Home Lawn Help
lem” areas each year as hot and humid weather Pythium blight is a serious threat to perennial
conditions prevail. Mowing in those areas should be ryegrass lawns. Areas with restricted air movement
delayed until surfaces are dry, and precautionary spot are most vulnerable to infection. Control practices for
treatment with fungicides (see below) is advisable. residential lawns are based on avoiding excessive
nitrogen fertility in mid-summer, avoiding early
Fungicides for Disease Control
evening irrigation, and improving air circulation to
Because of the speed of disease establishment and
hasten drying of leaf surfaces. If extensive turf
spread, and the consequences of Pythium infection
damage caused by Pythium blight occurs annually,
(turf death), fungicides represent essential tools for
over-seeding or re-seeding affected areas with Ken-
Pythium blight control. Golf course superintendents
tucky bluegrass is recommended. Fungicides should
who have experienced the effects of Pythium blight
be considered as a last option. A professional lawn
epidemics have learned to apply fungicide with the
care service should be contracted for best results
arrival of hot humid weather. Depending on the
regarding product selection and timing of the
history of the disease on certain golf courses, they
application(s).
may spray fairways as well as greens and tees, or may
spot-spray areas that seem particularly vulnerable to
Pythium blight. If hot, humid weather persists, then
repeated applications may be warranted.

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