Watch for southern blight

With a threat temperature of 70F, southern blight, which is caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii, has started showing up in some locations. As for many fungal diseases, rainfall or high humidity will increase the chances of infestation.

A moderate disease that is usually controlled curatively, southern blight usually occurs on higher mown turf of all types (though cool-season turf is the primary target). It causes a very general series of symptoms (circles, rings and/or patches that can reach a…