The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns
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Diagnostic tips |
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On this page: Know the history of your lawn Information about pests or diseases that may have caused problems in previous years can help to diagnose current problems. A record of current management practices such as irrigation schedules, mowing heights, and recent fertilizer or pesticide applications will help narrow the field of possible causes. Know your predominant turf species Many pests cause problems only on certain turf species. Most lawns are a mixture of species; in some cases, damage symptoms may occur only on one of the turf species present. Identify
the problem when you first see symptoms Check for symptoms in the early morning If you have a disease, symptoms are best seen in the early morning.
Powdery growth or white or pink fungal growth may be more apparent
in the morning when the turf is damp with dew. Collect entire grass plant samples To get an accurate diagnosis, it is important to collect all parts
of the grass plant, including the leaves, stems, crowns, roots,
and thatch. Use a trowel or a core sampler to remove samples. A
hand lens, 10X or higher power, can aid in observing small characteristics
such as mycelia, sclerotia, or insects and insect frass. Remove
samples from several areas of the lawn that exhibit symptoms. It
is best to sample the edge of an infected area so that you are including
plants that are just beginning to show symptoms. Use a drench test to detect the presence of many adult and larval insects that feed within or below the thatch layer. Take samples to a local nursery, local Master Gardener program or county Cooperative Extension office. They can either help identify your problem or recommend a diagnostic laboratory to which you can send the sample. |
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