Brown spot in a tall fescue lawn (Photo by Brad Fresenburg, turf specialist for University of Missouri Extension)
Nitrogen fertilizer, heat and water is like ringing the dinner bell for fungi hoping to snack on your nice green lawn. If you have tall fescue, the culprit is Rhizoctonia solani, which causes brown patch. As the name implies, brown patches show up in your lawn. Many homeowners, when they see their grass turn brown, add fertilizer and water to help it green up. Big mistake, your giving the fungus exactly what it needs.
Today’s guest is Brad Fresenburg, turf specialist for University of Missouri Extension. He has information about dealing with brown patch, how to recognize it and how to treat it.

 
 
Identification and Management of Turfgrass Diseases
 
You can see brown patch tan lesions on the blade of tall fescue (Photo by Brad Fresenburg, turf specialist for University of Missouri Extension)