Zoysia Patch is a soil-born Pathogen that spreads primarily during the cool wet weather of spring and fall seasons in the southern United States. The disease is recognizable by its circular browning 'patch' with a faint orange outer edge.
If you notice active zoysia patch in your lawn the best way to treat the disease is through a combination of maintenance practices and treatments.
1) Reduce Humidity
Increasing airflow is critical to reducing the humidity in the area that the disease is growing and in potential areas it could spread and infect. This includes pruning trees and shrubs that are causing excess shade or wind barriers, mowing the lawn shorter during the cooler seasons (recommended 1-2 inch height for Zoysia) and core aeration of the soil for the benefits of the roots.
2) Water Control
Check your irrigation timings. If the disease is actively growing in your lawn, plan to reduce the number of times you water a week and instead increase the amount you water during those times. This is usually referred to as "Deep Watering", and it encourages plants to develop deeper roots, while also allowing the soil surface to dry and inhibits soil born pathogens from flourishing. Also, change the timing of the irrigation to finish before 8 am; this minimizes the humidity during the day and night for the disease.
3) Proper Treatments
Proper fertilization and fungicide treatments are a must. We highly recommend taking a soil sample to check the fertility needs of your soil as insufficient or excessive Nitrogen can exacerbate the poor conditions mentioned above. Lastly, apply a fungicide to infected areas and surrounding turf to inhibit the continuing spread of the disease. It may also be necessary to reapply in the fall. Many fungicide treatments recommend double applications spaced approximately 2 weeks apart. It is always important to read the label to ensure the product you use is labeled for your disease and safe for your turf in your area.
If you need additional help with this or other Horticultural Problems remember to support your local companies. If you are located in the Upstate of South Carolina please check us out at: https://daffodilshorticulturalsolutions.com.
Written by: Jonathan L. Holmes