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Damping Off

 
 
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Rhizoctonia




Pythium








Fusarium




Pythium, Fusarium, Helminthosporium and Rhizoctonia spp.

Disease description
Damping Off of seedlings, particularly of small-seeded turf grasses (Pythium, Fusarium, Helminthsporium, or Rhizoctonia species). Seedlings fail to emerge from ground or collapse and rot when emerged.

Predisposing factors
  • cold, too wet or too dry seed bed:
  • seed of low vitality
  • shaded situations
  • inadequate soil nutrients
Cultural control
Use seed of high germination capacity and energy. Prepare a good firm seed bed. Encourage rapid germination -- e.g., wait until ground has warmed in spring, or sow before it cools in fall, incorporate organic mulch in surface and apply adequate nitrogen and phosphate before sowing. Keep seed bed moist, but not water-logged.


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 7, 2007.