Spring Dead Spot Identification

Q: My Bermuda grass had been looking great — nice and green. However, in the last two weeks it has developed yellow patches — some of which have green blades in the center. Can you tell if this is a fungus or something else?

A: Dollars to doughnuts, it is the disease known as spring dead spot (SDS), though it grows most prominently in the fall. Once a grass leaf is infected, the fungus travels down the leaf to the rhizomes and roots, although its progress may be slow. This is a very difficult disease to stop.

Control begins with identification, which is done through your local Extension office. Spread seems to be associated with high amounts of nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilizer sure makes a bermuda lawn look great, but it can exacerbate or ameliorate the disease depending on which species of the fungus you have.

If you are sure you have correctly identified the fungus and that you are using the correct amount of fertilizer, begin a schedule of deep aerification and thatch removal. Chemical control of the disease is difficult because some fungicides are not very effective.

From this description, it may seem like you have a tough row to hoe, and you do, but if you don’t get started, the yellow patches may grow several inches every year. The disease also causes some varieties of Bermuda grass to be less tolerant of cold weather. If you follow the correct steps (observation, identification, adjusting maintenance practices, choosing proper chemicals), you can start. Begin the application of fungicide when soil temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees. Fungicides should be irrigated into the soil with copious amounts of water. Good luck. You’ll need it!