Anthracnose and Basal Rot

Colletotrichum graminicola

Disease description
Leaves and shoots of grasses, particularly of annual blue grass and fine-leaved fescues are blighted and killed back in irregularly shaped, reddish to bleached patches up to several feet in diameter. May be confused with red thread, but there are no red "needles". Often occurs with leaf spots caused by Drechslera spp.

Turf of annual blue grass takes on a measly or piebald appearance. Diseased plants turn yellow or orange and central shoots may be pulled out easily and are black at the base.

Predisposing factors

susceptible species and cultivars
high temperatures with high humidity
compacted turf in high traffic areas
low soil fertility

Cultural control
Use less susceptible cultivars. Highlight, Ensylva, Pennlawn were less susceptible fescues than was Dawson at Agassiz, B.C.

Reduce traffic, increase aeration and relieve compaction by spiking. Improve fertility. Replace annual blue grass with other turf grasses.

For information about other diseases that affect turf grasses, go to Major Diseases of Turf Grasses in Western Canada

For more information about the content of this document, contact Ron Howard.
This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.
This information published to the web on November 20, 2001.
Last Reviewed/Revised on November 6, 2007.