Pythium Disease Overview

Overview

The problem

Pythium turf diseases cause real problems for golf course superintendents. Three different diseases are caused by various Pythium species. Banol^® is an effective fungicide for all Pythium diseases. Application guidelines differ for each of these Pythium diseases.

Pythium blight

1. Banol provides excellent preventative and curative control of Pythium blight.
2. Pythium blight is normally caused by P. aphanidermatum and P. graminicola.
3. Pythium blight typically occurs when night-time temperatures are above 20ºC with high humidity or wet conditions.

Rates and intervals

Preventative: 4.5–6.5L L/ha in at least 800 litres of water per hectare

Curative: 6.5 L/ha in at least 800 litres of water per hectare

Apply as a preventative treatment during periods of high temperature and humidity favourable to the development of pythium blight. Re-treat at 21–28 day intervals if conditions remain favourable for disease development. Under severe disease pressure conditions, use the highest recommended rate and shortest interval. Apply in at least 800 litres of water per hectare.

Do I water it in?

It is not necessary to water in Banol for Pythium blight as the pathogen is infecting the leaf tissue.

Pythium root rot

1. Banol provides excellent preventative and curative control of Pythium Root Rot.
2. Pythium Root Rot can be caused by several species of Pythium.
3. Pythium Root Rot typically occurs under wet conditions when plants are stressed or have low growth potential.

Rates and intervals

Preventative: 4.5–6.5L L/ha in at least 800 litres of water per hectare

Curative: 6.5 L/ha in at least 800 litres of water per hectare

Apply to turf areas with poor soil drainage in the autumn and spring or during periods of high temperature. Apply in at least 800 litres of water per hectare.

Do I water it in?

Because Pythium is infecting roots, it is critical to get as much fungicide to the plant roots as possible. This can be done with high volumes of water while spraying or irrigate immediately after the application to push the Banol into the soil. Care should be taken not to irrigate too much and move the Banol too far into the soil profile. Banol needs to be where the roots are for maximum control.

Technical Information

Left untreated, Pythium turf diseases can kill large areas of turf within a matter of days. Image courtesy of Dr Bruce Martin, Clemson University.

 

Pythium root dysfunction

1. Pythium root dysfunction is a stress-induced disease that has recently become a common problem on Creeping Bentgrass greens throughout the south-eastern US. To date this disease has not been confirmed in Australia.
2. Pythium root dysfunction is normally caused by Pythium Volutum.

Fungicides may be used on either a curative or preventative basis for Pythium Root dysfunction control. Both strategies employ the same fungicide rotation.

In more than 20 years there has never been a documented case of resistance to Banol or Signature^® Xtra Stressgard^®. However, fungicide rotation is always a good practice.

For more than 20 years Banol has helped superintendents as an effective tool in the fight against Pythium diseases of turfgrasses. Its strong knockdown effect, long residual activity, safety to turfgrass and young seedlings, and lack of resistance potential are unsurpassed.

To find out more information about our products and services, reach out to our team.

Always read the label before use.

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