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Know the history of your lawn
Know your predominant turf species
Identify the problem when you first see symptoms
Check for symptoms in the early morning
Collect entire grass plant samples
Perform a drench test
Get help
Know the history of your lawn
Information about pests or diseases that may have caused problems
in previous years can help to diagnose current problems. A record
of current management practices such as irrigation schedules, mowing
heights, and recent fertilizer or pesticide applications will help
narrow the field of possible causes.
Know your predominant turf species
Many pests cause problems only on certain turf species. Most lawns
are a mixture of species; in some cases, damage symptoms may occur
only on one of the turf species present.
Identify the problem when you first see
symptoms
Damaged grass is susceptible to secondary pests or problems. Once
other problems move in, it can be virtually impossible to identify
the original problem.
Check for symptoms in the early morning
If you have a disease, symptoms are best seen in the early morning.
Powdery growth or white or pink fungal growth may be more apparent
in the morning when the turf is damp with dew.
Collect entire grass plant samples
To get an accurate diagnosis, it is important to collect all parts
of the grass plant, including the leaves, stems, crowns, roots, and
thatch. Use a trowel or a core sampler to remove samples. A hand
lens, 10X or higher power, can aid in observing small characteristics
such as mycelia, sclerotia, or insects and insect frass. Remove samples
from several areas of the lawn that exhibit symptoms. It is best
to sample the edge of an infected area so that you are including
plants that are just beginning to show symptoms.
Perform a drench test
Use a drench test to detect the presence
of many adult and larval insects that feed within or below the thatch
layer.
Get
help
Take samples to a local nursery, local Master Gardener program or
county Cooperative
Extension office. They can either help identify your problem
or recommend a diagnostic laboratory to which you can send the sample. |
