Damping-off & seedling blight
Pythium, Fusarium, Drechslera/Bipolaris, Rhizoctonia spp.
A complex of seedling diseases that rot seed before emergence or collapse young seedlings after emergence, thinning new stands.
Identification
Pre-emergence: seed rots in the soil (poor germination). Post-emergence: seedlings become water-soaked, turn yellow-brown, and collapse, leaving thin stands or irregular dying patches.
Symptoms
Symptoms include poor germination, seedling collapse, wilting, yellowing, and thinning of new turf stands. Infected plant tissue may become soft or rotten.
Signs
Pre-emergence: seed rots in the soil (poor germination). Post-emergence: seedlings become water-soaked, turn yellow-brown, and collapse, leaving thin stands or irregular dying patches.
Biology
Damping-off and seedling blight can be caused by several pathogens, including Pythium species, Rhizoctonia species, Fusarium species, and Drechslera or Bipolaris species, which infect seed, seedlings, roots, crowns, or lower stems.
Epidemiology
Pythium species are commonly found in soil and water, and disease is favored by moisture conditions that allow infection of seedlings, roots, crowns, and lower stems.
Favorable Conditions
Pythium damping-off favored by cool wet conditions; Rhizoctonia/Drechslera/Fusarium by warmer conditions. Overseeding too deep or too wet increases risk.
Cultural Management
Use high-quality seed and proper seeding depth/rate. Avoid overwatering and excess nitrogen at establishment
Further Reading
University extension resources — open in a new tab.
Related Reports
No published reports yet for this pest.
Reports will appear here as they are peer-reviewed and published.