Which disease is listed among common turfgrass diseases in Kansas?

Which disease is listed among common turfgrass diseases in Kansas?

• A. Brown Patch
• B. Corn Smut
• C. Late Blight of Tomatoes
• D. Oak Wilt

Answer: (A)

Brown Patch is a common turfgrass disease in Kansas. It’s caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani and tends to affect cool‑season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. You’ll often see circular or irregular patches of dead, tan‑colored turf that can broaden and merge if conditions stay favorable. In wet weather, a fuzzy or cottony growth may appear at patch edges. The disease thrives when warm temperatures pair with leaf wetness from dew or irrigation, so conditions that keep foliage wet for long periods promote its development. Effective prevention centers on cultural practices: irrigation that minimizes prolonged leaf wetness, good drainage, proper mowing height, and avoiding excess nitrogen. In high‑risk situations, fungicide treatments may be used as part of an integrated plan. The other listed diseases affect non‑turf hosts—Corn Smut on corn, Late Blight on tomatoes, and Oak Wilt on oaks—so Brown Patch is the turfgrass disease among them.

Brown Patch is a common turfgrass disease in Kansas. It’s caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani and tends to affect cool‑season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. You’ll often see circular or irregular patches of dead, tan‑colored turf that can broaden and merge if conditions stay favorable. In wet weather, a fuzzy or cottony growth may appear at patch edges. The disease thrives when warm temperatures pair with leaf wetness from dew or irrigation, so conditions that keep foliage wet for long periods promote its development. Effective prevention centers on cultural practices: irrigation that minimizes prolonged leaf wetness, good drainage, proper mowing height, and avoiding excess nitrogen. In high‑risk situations, fungicide treatments may be used as part of an integrated plan. The other listed diseases affect non‑turf hosts—Corn Smut on corn, Late Blight on tomatoes, and Oak Wilt on oaks—so Brown Patch is the turfgrass disease among them.