Kikuyugrass decline hits
June 19, 2006
The season's first reports of kikuyugrass decline surfaced this week. The disease, caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces attacks the roots of kikuyugrass plants.
Management is best accomplished through prevention. Regular applications of manganese may forestall the disease and make fungicide applications unnecessary. Avoiding drought stress is also critical — roots that are struggling from lack of water are much more susceptible to disease.
If symptoms of the disease surface despite preventive efforts, there are several products that have good curative…