Question
QUESTION: The lawn is in England (30 miles west of London) in the Thames Valley. It's a basic rye-grass lawn of about 2,500 square yards, which is mowed regularly in summer, is fed twice a year with fertilizer, scarified in spring but is rather compacted.
I have a rather nasty what looks like a fungal problem in my rye-grass lawn. It comprises deep brown, sometimes fern-like growths which mass at its bases into an even deeper brown agglomeration. The fungal growth appears in spring from beneath the soil of the lawn and seems to be spreading. I have photos which I can send. My question is what is the fungus and how can I get rid of it?

Thank you for your help. Trevor Barber

ANSWER: Mr. Barber:

Always glad to help our bretheren from across the pond.  I do not know if I am capable, but will give it a try.

A proper diagnosis is imperative.  The two which seem to be similar to your description have different nutrient requirements.

Red thread, Laestisaria fuciformis, requires proper mowing height, regular fertilization and aeration to discourage it.  Chlorothalonil can treat it.

Pythium blight, which looks more like cobwebs, requires lowering nitrigen and mowing when the turf is dry.  Any fungicide will treat it.

A light application of a professional grade compost will build a resistance to fungi into soil and lawn.  Use in place of fertilizer.

I am assuming that fungi are similar in both countries.  If the RHS has a turf section, I might make the query there to obtain a correct identification.  If not, there must be an agricultural service which has expert mycologists for proper ID.

I trust that this helps.  Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom, Thanks for your help but I don't think what I've got is either of the fungal infections you suggest (I've looked at pictures on the Internet). The infection is much darker and more "glutinous" except for the occasional "fern-like" structure. Is there anywhere on the net where pictures of turf-infecting fungi can be viewed? Regards Trevor.

ANSWER: Trevor:

I understand.  I have been identifying fungi by means of the color you describe.  I would like to know what sort of damage this organism causes in your lawn.  Is there a pattern to the damage?  What color(s) does(do) the leaves turn.  Does the grass die?  Does the mass crack and turn into plaques when dry without lawn damage?

Tom


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom, I didn't want to take more of your time but here goes. The damage it causes is to emerge over an area now of about 4 square metres with increasing presence of the fungi. There is pattern is one concentrations of the fungi into specific patches about 6-12 inches long by 3-6 inches wide with normal grass growing between and around these patches. The leaves emerging from the glutinous masses are light brown with some green strands but the base stalks are glued together into a dark brown vegetative mass. Living grass survives around and in or very near the patches of fungi. I haven't seen the small patches crack but they do appear to remain very moist. The condition does seem to recede as the spring/summer progresses. I do have photos but no way of getting them to you? Regards Trevor

Answer
Trevor:

I would suggest looking at Grease Spot and "Leaf Spot - melting out."  Both respond to lower nitrogen.  Metalaxyl for Grease Spot, nothing for Leaf Spot.  I do hope that the source of your online photos shares the wording of these diagnoese.

AllExperts does not transmit photos and I am on dialup, making receipt of them problematic.

Tom

P.S.:

I have just been informed that there is an option available to send photos.  I do not see it on this page, but have been told by a tech advisor that it is possible.  I would suggest that each photo be less than 100 KB's for easy download.
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Tom