The disease Red Thread is caused by a fungus that lives in your turf. All turf has this fungus in it, it is one of thousands of fungi that live in turf. Normally you do not see the fungus or the disease it causes, but during certain conditions, it may appear.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms depend on the grass species and severity of attack. Symptoms often start as small mostly circular patches of straw-coloured dead leaves interspersed with live plants. The patches may also have a pink tinge. Closer inspection will reveal pale pink to red needle or horn-like outgrowths (the red threads) pink flocks of mycelium (resembling candyfloss) may also be present in conducive conditions.
What are the susceptible grass species?
Festuca (fescue) varieties are the most susceptible although to varying degrees.
Lolium perenne (Perennial ryegrass) is also very prone to attacks. This is the species recommended for use on football pitches.
What time of year and under what conditions does it appear?
Red Thread typically attacks the sward during the growing season but is often most apparent in late summer and autumn.
It generally attacks low fertility, slow growing turf and is more likely in moisture retentive turf. (ie higher clay content, high organic matter or compacted soils)
It favours temperatures of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius after persistent rainfall
What are the effects on turf?
Red Thread does not commonly affect the playing quality of the turf but reduces the aesthetic appearance. Red thread may thin the sward.
Management
Cultural
Removing surface moisture, (switch or brush when dew occurs) to reduce the occurrence of humid surface conditions
Surface aeration and grooming to encourage air flow
Minimising thatch through scarification and verti-cutting
Application of Nitrogen containing fertiliser is generally the only treatment necessary to quickly deal with the disease, depending on how it fits in with your fertiliser regime timing could be part of your usual programme or a supplementary application of conventional granular or liquid fertiliser.
Collecting clippings, where possible, helps to prevent the spread of infected material.
Chemical
Effective fungicides are available but not usually necessary as turf will generally recover well from this disease. Treatment at the first signs of disease will give optimum results.
