Anthracnose

Identifying markers:

• This disease can attack the grass in 2 different ways, foliar blight and basal rot.
• Foliar blight - grass turns a tan yellow colour in irregular patches.  The presence of hair like setae visible under a microscope is how it is identified.
• Basal rot - identified by the yellowing of older leaves, youngest leaf may turn a brick red colour.  The plant easily pulls out of the lawn and black rot is visible at the base of the stem.
• Foliar blight is typical during drought conditions where as basal rot is during a spell of cold, wet weather.
• Poor soil nutrient levels contribute to the risk of this disease.
• Can affect all grasses but most prevalent in Fescues and Smooth Stalked Meadow grass.