Question
I have seen some grass in my yard that has blue stuff on the top of the blades of grass. What is this and is it harmful for my children and if so how do I get rid of it? Please help!
Thank you for your time,
Heather

Answer
Hi Heather,

Your lawn probably has become infected with a phytopathogenic fungus;
i.e., a fungal agent that targets grasses and other plants.

Without a visible inspection of the object of your question/problem please realize the limitations here in providing a precise diagnosis and specifics for your situation.
Thank You for the information you have provided so far.

Log-on to the web-page prepared by the Texas Extension Plant Pathologists
and navigate to "Lawns & Turf".  There you will find information concerning a variety of turf-grass fungus disease and also images of these:



http://plantpathology.tamu.edu/Texlab/index.htm
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Also, you may find important and relevant information at this web-site:

BROWN-PATCH DISEASE Website: http://plantpath.unl.edu/peartree/homer/disease.skp/Hort/Turf/Tubrnpt.html

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A heat stressed lawns with HIGH THATCH accumulation and over watering may  have a FUNGUS OUTBREAK.  Keep thatch removed and composted to re-cycle to the lawn's hot spots every year before the heat arrives; this improves the top soil and also adds to soil fertility.
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Fungi reproduce by microscopic SPORES.  As with weeds and their seeds, working to break the reproducing cycle by eliminating the spores and reproductive phase of the fungus is the best way to control it.  Rakes and tools, including the lawn mower should be sufficiently cleaned with a bleach solution to reduce the human caused spreading of the spores.
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If you can verify a FUNGUS DISEASE:
Your local garden center should have a variety of FUNGICIDE chemicals to treat a fungus infection of the grass.

Use FUNGICIDES containing
BENOMYL,
Thiadendazole,
Tio-phanate-methyl or quintozone.

Other  remedies include:

Apply a solution of 1/4 oz. IRON SULFATE per half
gallon of water per square yard.

Use lower NITRATE levels of fertilizer on the lawn,
and do not fertilize late in the growing season.
Too much moisture= potential FUNGUS PROBLEMS.

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Some fungal infections can spread very fast and destroy vast areas in short order so do not waste any time in treating a fungus infection once diagnosed.

Horticultural practices which keep the lawn well aerated, solarized and properly watered and fertilized will prevent opportunistic fungi from prospering in lawns.

If fungal out-breaks persist, consider destroying the entire lawn and up-grading your grass-type to one of the new genetically engineered turf-grass hybrids which have been produced to be resistant to fungus diseases and many other problems.
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I Hope this has answered your question(s)!

Visit my Lawn & Gardens webpage for more Lawn and Garden Tips, Facts and Links:
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/lawnol.html

Your Questions and Comments are welcome at ALLEXPERTS.com