Which pathogen is commonly associated with Brown Patch in tall fescue?

Which pathogen is commonly associated with Brown Patch in tall fescue?

• A. Rhizoctonia solani
• B. Pythium aphanidermatum
• C. Fusarium graminearum
• D. Pseudomonas syringae

Answer: (A)

Brown patch on tall fescue is typically caused by Rhizoctonia solani, a soilborne fungus that loves warm, humid conditions. It creates irregular circular patches with a tan center and a darker margin, and under high humidity you can see fringe-like fungal growth at the edges. This combination of weather preference and the patch pattern is the hallmark that ties brown patch to Rhizoctonia solani. The other organisms listed are associated with different turf diseases: Pythium species tend to cause damping-off and root problems in wet conditions; Fusarium graminearum affects cereals and causes head blight rather than turf patches; Pseudomonas syringae is a bacterial pathogen that causes leaf spots and blights in various plants, not the classic brown patch pattern on tall fescue. Managing brown patch focuses on reducing leaf wetness, moderating irrigation and nitrogen to avoid lush growth, and using fungicides when appropriate.

Brown patch on tall fescue is typically caused by Rhizoctonia solani, a soilborne fungus that loves warm, humid conditions. It creates irregular circular patches with a tan center and a darker margin, and under high humidity you can see fringe-like fungal growth at the edges. This combination of weather preference and the patch pattern is the hallmark that ties brown patch to Rhizoctonia solani. The other organisms listed are associated with different turf diseases: Pythium species tend to cause damping-off and root problems in wet conditions; Fusarium graminearum affects cereals and causes head blight rather than turf patches; Pseudomonas syringae is a bacterial pathogen that causes leaf spots and blights in various plants, not the classic brown patch pattern on tall fescue. Managing brown patch focuses on reducing leaf wetness, moderating irrigation and nitrogen to avoid lush growth, and using fungicides when appropriate.