Fungicide for Lawns

A lawn is often considered as a monoculture of specific grass species. Growing a healthy lawn requires a thorough understanding about the planted grass, and its care instructions. If anything goes wrong with basic lawn care guidelines (watering, mowing, fertilization, aeration), diseases may appear. Putting the grasses under stressful conditions increases the risk for developing lawn diseases. Say for instance, too wet or too dry condition can trigger the growth of fungus. In some cases, using fungicide for lawns is a practical solution to restore healthy green lawn.

Fungicide for Lawns: Selection Guide

Nothing can be more disappointing than seeing brown spots or thinning grass in an otherwise healthy lawn. Other obvious signs of fungal attacks on lawns are uncontrolled growth of mushrooms, powdery coating in leaf blades and brown patches. Natural fungicide for lawns are cornmeal, corn gluten and molasses, but they are not effective as chemical based ones. In general, three types of chemical fungicides are available for controlling fungal diseases in lawns. They are grouped according to the mode of action against the fungal pathogens.

• Penetrant Fungicides: As the name goes, this type of fungus killing chemical is directly absorbed by the lawn grasses. Upon attack by specific fungal strains, the fungicide from the plant parts causes toxicity to the fungi and kills them.
• Systemic Fungicides: Once applied, these fungicides are circulated to the grass parts and retain in the system for a long time. They control fungus in the same way as penetrant fungicides.
• Contact Fungicides: This type of fungicide for lawns adheres to the plant parts after application. As fungus and its spores come in contact with grasses, the chemicals present in them kill fungus.

Selecting the best fungicide for lawns depends upon the type of fungal pathogen, extent of infestation on lawn grass types and more importantly, the weather conditions in the area. While some subside with changes in weather conditions, others need prompt treatment with fungicides. Fungal diseases that call for fungicide application are severe rust, leaf smut, dollar spot, rhizoctinia blight, snow molds and stripe smut amongst others. Consider using fungicides for lawns only after confirmation of these fungal diseases.

Fungicide for Lawns: Application Tips

The best gardening approach to prevent fungal attacks on lawn grasses is spray systemic fungicides with the help of a compression system, before the onset of diseases. While applying fungicide for lawns garden, care has to be taken in deciding the correct concentration. Too low the amount, and the efficacy of the fungus killing agent will be reduced, whereas higher concentration may affect the nutrient balance and overall growth of lawn grass. Applying systemic fungicides according to prescribed directions and following turf lawn maintenance tips will surely help in preventing fungal diseases.

For existing fungal diseases on lawns, spotting them in the initial stages is crucial for effective disease control. Otherwise, the fungal pathogens will take a toll on grasses. Prior to actual application of fungicide for lawns garden, check whether the disease signs match with that of specific fungal attacks. You will need to identify the fungus for controlling it effectively. For rust diseases, the potent fungicides are anilazine and triadimefon, applied after every 1-2 weeks until symptoms disappear. Popularly used fungicides for dollar spots are anilazine, benomyl and thiophanate.

If you are new to maintaining a lawn, educate yourself about information on turfgrass diseases. Or else, you can take the help of a horticulturist for identifying fungal diseases and controlling them. Remember that unnecessary application of fungicide for lawns increases the risk for fungicide resistance, which you definitely do not want to happen. Also, implementing cultural practices for weed, pest and disease control reduces the need for application of fungicides on lawn grasses.