The grass needs to be mowed regularly (once a week) if you want it looking good at all times. Symptoms vary between host species and conditions. Affected lawn areas can become discolored and lose density quickly. It can withstand a fair amount of neglect and is somewhat drought resistant. Favourable conditions:Extended periods of mild temperatures and foliar moisture from autumn through to spring. Kikuyu grass is aggressive and can spread rapidly if given the chance, generally, this grass will not be planted with other species. A warm-season staple of Australian backyards, as well as sports fields, pastures, public areas and golf course fairways, Kikuyu is an excellent choice of grass to handle Australian conditions. Spring Dead Spot and Anthracnose are not strictly soil borne diseases, their spores Symptoms. Still, if your busy schedule does not allow you to take care of your Kikuyu grass lawn, you can always leave it in the hands of professionals. Definitely will recommend to family and friends! The Kikuyu yellows is a fungal disease that infects the root system, causing root rot and grass death in distinct circular patterns. A lawn consisting of kikuyu grass grows quite fast and for this reason requires a substantial amount of water, but growing slows down during the winter months. Fantastic provider. Main diseases: Kikuyu yellows, leaf spot. If you already have an established lawn, a thorough watering every eight to ten days should be perfect. Kikuyu grass gives you a solution against dry spells, foot traffic and watering. Description:  This ERI pathogen initially exhibits symptoms  as patches of chlorotic turf with stunted root system and  poor foliar growth. There is no need to include watering of the grass in the list with winter lawn maintenance tasks. Favourable conditions:  Temperatures between 15- 30°C, excessive foliar moisture and low nitrogen can be  conducive to disease development. Cultural control: Avoid excessive plant available nitrogen, reduce foliar wetness and avoid excessive thatch. Favourable conditions:  Extended periods of leaf  wetness, physical and environmental stresses can  contribute to disease severity. Host species:  Common Couch and Couch hybrids. Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestimun) is a subtropical perennial grass with spring to autumn growth. Acid Lawn Soil. Description:  In warm season host species this pathogen  causes grey lesions with a dark brown margin. Pests, disease and weeds Favourable conditions:  Prevalent from autumn through  to spring. Through autumn and winter root tissue it  affected by the pathogen. On close inspection leaves  will be dying back from the tip down to the base. Got some great Sir Walter at a great price. Main insect pests: Army worms, sod web worms, african black beetle. Bare Patches. Black hair-like fruiting bodies sprout in clusters on the leaves and sheaths of the plant. If pasture height exceeds 15 cm, slash to 5 cm to remove stem and rank growth and to maintain quality. The old style common Kikuyu grass continues to be a nuisance to many lawn owners in Australia, particularly when it invades a lawn of a different variety. Management: Graze to maximise leaf, minimise stem. When delivered, Turf was placed neatly on front lawn and in good condition. Black hair-like fruiting bodies sprout in clusters on the leaves and sheaths of the plant. We have a weed infestation however, mostly clover, woody sorrel and an assortment of flat weeds. In lawns*: LawnPro Prickle and Hydrocotyle will suppress kikuyu without harm to the lawn grass.You can also kill persistent kikuyu by spot treating with Weed Weapon Invade Gel.Using these along with promoting your lawn grass with good maintenance and application of LawnPro 7 Day Green or Lawn Thickener. Great turf, great helpful staff and looks after us landscapers ?? Favourable conditions:  Mderately warm humid weather. Napier grass is grown along maize or sorghum (in rows or in borders) to reduce the stem borer population. Lawn Disease - Leaf Spot ... Drechslera, and Exserohilum spp.) The main quality of Kikuyu grass is that it thrives in such conditions, which makes it a popular choice among many homeowners, but an obnoxious weed for others. It is hardy and used to hot conditions. Lawn insects include scarab beetles, leaf eating caterpillars such as lawn army worm and sod web worm, weevil insects including Bill Bug, and couch mite. Get the latest going-ons by squirrel post! Description:  Depending on the species, this disease may  cause large rings of lush green growth to occur on infected  turf, or may result in rings of mushrooms with plant  dieback and hydrophobicity. Napier grass is grown along maize or sorghum (in rows or in borders) to reduce the stem borer population. Kikuyu grass offers many benefits and is especially popular in South Africa due to the fact that it flourishes in hot temperatures. Description:  Infected turf becomes blighted in small  circles and patches at first, often spreading to destroy large  areas. Other typical symptoms of lawn diseases include “frog-eye” patterns (e.g., a circular area of dead grass with healthy grass in the center), leaf spots, rotted crowns and roots, yellow leaves, stunting, and wilting. The dense turf resists weeds, insects and disease. Favourable conditions:  Humid, moist weather with  extended periods of leaf wetness, occurring from cool to  warm temperatures in various forms. Acid Lawn Soil. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Cultural control:  As the pathogen is spread by surface  water, infrequent, deep irrigation is essential. Treating your lawn with a fungicide such as Mancozeb (available at most garden centres) is an effective way of managing fungus. Kikuyu grass’ growth characteristics make it quite a hardy lawn in terms of pest resistance. Soil – ordinary Foliage – evergreen Moisture – dry to swampy (all). Other common names: Eriophyoid Couch Mites (Aceria cynodoniensis), False Spider Mites (Dolichotetranychus australianus), Tarsonemid Kikuyu Mites (Steneotarsonemus hippodromus), Grass Webbing Mites (Oligonychus araneum and Oligonychus digitatus) and Zoysiagrass mite (Aceria zoysiae).Description: Mites are not insects; they are arachnids as are spiders and ticks. The good news is that if you choose the correct variety of lawn in the first place, then you greatly reduce the chances of get any diseases. Although, at one time, kikuyu seed could not be purchased in Australia, it is now available. Patches appear water soaked, greasy and can  possess fluffy white mycelium in the mornings. The dense turf resists weeds, insects and disease. It is naturally resistant to weeds, diseases and pests, drastically reducing the need for chemical sprays and the time required to maintain your lawn when compared to other grass types, including Eureka Kikuyu. Congrats. The causal agent infects the root system and causes severe root rot and root and plant death. Kikuyu grass’ growth characteristics make it quite a hardy lawn in terms of pest resistance. Kenda Kikuyu is resistant to pests and diseases compared to most other lawn varieties. Kikuyu grass is mostly known for its abrasive nature, so if you want to have a neat, good looking lawn, you have to maintain it regularly. Affects: Wintergrass, Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, RTF Fescue, Nullarbor Couch. Check to see which Pests, Diseases and or Weeds this turf variety may be susceptible to and how to successfully control them in your home lawn or sports turf. ... Common Pests and Diseases. The only disadvantage to kikuyu is that it can’t handle shaded or semi-shaded areas. It can tolerate heat and will do well under relatively shady conditions. Sir Walter Buffalo is a low maintenance grass variety. Host species:  All turfgrass species are susceptible. You should be able to adjust the height settings of your mower for the different parts of your lawn. Description: Infects foliage, crown and roots, causing grey to brown lesions, crown rot and leaf death. and phone the MayFord Helpline or speak to a specialist in this field. Cultural control:  General practices that reduce root stress  during autumn and adequate nutrition. Description:  Infected swards exhibit small, dollar sized  deep sunken patches. As a vigorous creeping grass, it can spread into cultivation areas or water channels. The affected  turfgrass dies back slowly as the patch enlarges, coalescing  to form large areas of dead turf. Favourable conditions:  Cool humid weather favours  development. The blotches will have a pink colouration. 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