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What Does it Mean When Centipede Grass Turns Yellow in Patches?

Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is a perennial grass native to China. The slow-growing grass is often referred to as China grass. The low-maintenance requirement of centipedegrass and its high adaptability to areas of full sun to partial shade contribute to its wide use. Though the grass thrives with minimal fertilizer, water and mowing, it is still prone to certain disorders. This includes a pathogenic infection that creates yellow patches.

  1. Cause

    • Centipedegrass is prone to the large patch disease, a fungal disorder caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Although the disease also appears on St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass, it is most destructive to centipedegrass, cites the North Carolina State University Extension.

    Symptoms

    • Large patch is characterized by circular, yellow, tan or brown patches in grass. In cooler, wet weather, the grass starts thinning in large patches. As disease progresses, the grass declines within the affected areas. Discolored patches are 2 to 3 feet in diameter but can expand to up to 10 feet. Patches eventually merge to give the entire lawn a discolored appearance. During active fungal growth stage, patch borders are sometimes bronze, orange or red.

    Favorable Conditions

    • The causal fungus becomes active during fall temperatures of 70 degree. The symptom start appearing in cool, wet fall or spring weather. Centipedegrass that is excessively fertilized with nitrogen during fall and spring and is growing in poorly drained soil is highly prone to the disorder. Unmanaged thatch, low mowing heights and over-watering are also contributory factors for fungal growth.

    Control

    • Healthy cultural practices are usually enough to control symptoms of large patch. Avoid fertilizing grass with nitrogen between August and June and water only as necessary. Irrigate with an inch of water upon signs of drought stress. Dethatch lawns regularly and keep mowing height at 1 to 2 inches, removing only a third of total grass blade length at each mowing. Use recommended fungicides for controlling severe infections. These include products containing flutolanil, propiconazole, azoxystrobin or chlorothalonil. For best effect, treat the grass during fall when soil temperatures are between 40 to 70 degrees.

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