Pythium Patch Outbreaks

PYTHIUM PATCHJ.E. KAMINSKI, PH.D.

KAMINSKI@PSU.EDU | @ITWEETTURF

PYTHIUM BLIGHT

• PATHOGEN: Pythium spp.

• HOSTS: Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)

• SYMPTOMS: Mimic summer patch, slow to develop, yellow leaves, melting out

• SIGNS: Mycelium develops following incubation, oospores, etc.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION• Possible P. torulosum or P. catenulatum

• Native Soil Putting Greens with Topdressing– Poor Drainage (no internal)

• Selects Annual Bluegrass (may move on to bentgrass later)

• Symptoms Mimic Summer Patch

COMMONALITIES OF THIS PYTHIUM• SLOW Development

• Foliar Mycelium (Under Microscope)

• Signature Pythium Programs

CHIPCO SIGNATUREALUMINUM TRIS (O-ETHYL PHOSPHONATE)• Phosphonates for Pythium Control• Recent Years

– Increased Use of Chipco Signature– Every 1 to 4 weeks– “Stress Guard”

• Movement Away From Traditional Pythium Fungicides– Subdue MAXX– Banol– Segway

CHIPCO SIGNATUREALUMINUM TRIS (O-ETHYL PHOSPHONATE)

• No Known Resistance Development to Signature

• May Be Naturally Ineffective on Certain Pythium Species (Harmon, personal communication)

CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS• Scout Suspect Areas and Have Diagnosed

– Pay Attention to Host– Summer Patch is DIFFICULT to Diagnose

• Maintain Signature Program BUT…– Rotate Traditional Pythium Fungicides Into Schedule During Favorable

Conditions• Apply to Foliage (Do NOT Water-In)• Curative Applications

– Banol or Segway– Subdue MAXX 5 Days Later

CURRENTLY ACTIVE IN NY MET REGION• Contact Us to Send Samples

Kaminski LabPenn State109 Tyson BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802

• Email Prior to Sending (Kaminski@psu.edu)

PYTHIUM PATCHJ.E. KAMINSKI, PH.D.

KAMINSKI@PSU.EDU | @ITWEETTURF