Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice to manage brown patch?

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice to manage brown patch?

• A. Water in the late afternoon
• B. Not fertilizing when brown patch is active
• C. Not seeding at greater than recommended rates
• D. Do not irrigate in late afternoon or evening

Answer: (A)

The idea behind managing brown patch is to minimize the conditions that let the fungus thrive, especially by reducing leaf wetness and not providing excess fuel for vigorous growth. Watering in the late afternoon keeps the grass wet into the evening and overnight, which creates a perfect environment for Rhizoctonia to infect and spread. That’s why watering in the late afternoon is not recommended. In contrast, not fertilizing when brown patch is active helps because lush, rapid growth can give the pathogen more tissue to attack, so applying less nitrogen during the active phase reduces the turf’s susceptibility. Avoiding seeding at rates higher than recommended prevents a dense, moisture-holding canopy that can stay wet longer and favor infection. And not irrigating in the late afternoon or evening, by watering earlier in the day, allows the foliage to dry out before nightfall, further reducing the window of time the disease needs to establish. Together, these practices lower disease pressure and support healthier recovery, especially in warm, humid conditions typical of brown patch.

The idea behind managing brown patch is to minimize the conditions that let the fungus thrive, especially by reducing leaf wetness and not providing excess fuel for vigorous growth. Watering in the late afternoon keeps the grass wet into the evening and overnight, which creates a perfect environment for Rhizoctonia to infect and spread. That’s why watering in the late afternoon is not recommended.

In contrast, not fertilizing when brown patch is active helps because lush, rapid growth can give the pathogen more tissue to attack, so applying less nitrogen during the active phase reduces the turf’s susceptibility. Avoiding seeding at rates higher than recommended prevents a dense, moisture-holding canopy that can stay wet longer and favor infection. And not irrigating in the late afternoon or evening, by watering earlier in the day, allows the foliage to dry out before nightfall, further reducing the window of time the disease needs to establish. Together, these practices lower disease pressure and support healthier recovery, especially in warm, humid conditions typical of brown patch.