Summer Patch Control

in the West (Magnaporthe poae)

Summer patch can be an extremely devastating turfgrass disease affecting the roots, crowns, and rhizomes of susceptible
plant hosts including annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fine fescues. The turfgrass pathogen responsible for this
disease is Magnaporthe poae, which survives the winter months as mycelium in previously colonized plant debris and in
perennial host plant tissue.

Symptoms associated with this disease include yellow, bronzed, straw-colored or irregular-shaped patches, rings, or crescent
shapes ranging from 6" to 3' or more in diameter. If left unchecked, these patches may quickly spread and coalesce
creating large areas of severely infected turf. In some cases, as in mixed stands of turfgrasses such as annual bluegrass
and creeping bentgrass, a characteristic Frog-Eye appearance may be observed. This occurs as the susceptible annual
bluegrass dies out leaving the resistant bentgrass untouched within the patches. The initial infection takes place in early
spring, but symptoms develop much later. Infections begin to develop with warmer weather in late spring/early summer,
usually occurring when soil temperatures reach 6570 F for at least a 48-hour period.

Beneficial Cultural Practices Include:

Managing irrigation regimes (saturated soil profiles may increase severity)
Balanced fertility programs
Raising height of cut
Core-aerification
Reducing compaction
Improving drainage
Syringing to reduce drought stress
Selecting disease resistant varieties

Chemical Disease Control:

Preventive fungicide applications are recommended to achieve acceptable control of summer patch prior to its initial
infection phase. Initial preventive applications must begin when spring soil temperatures reach approximately 65F at
a 2" depth for 3 consecutive days. For best application results, all systemic (acropetal) fungicide applications should be
applied using 2 4 gallons of water per 1000 square feet. Irrigation after application will ensure fungicide activity at the
target site in the root zone.
Azoxystrobin (Heritage 50WG)
Propiconazole (Banner MAXX)
 Figure 1. Percent of Turf Area Infected Per Plot.
A. Heritage 50WG/Banner MAXX program received 3 applications of Banner MAXX at 2.0 oz and 2 applications of
Heritage 50WG at 0.4 oz per 1000 ft 2 by the Aug 17 rating.

B. Heritage 50WG/Banner MAXX/Thiophanate-methyl received 3 applications of Banner MAXX at 2.0 oz,

2 applications of Heritage 50WG at 0.2 oz and 2 applications of Thiophanate-methyl at 6 oz per 1000 ft 2 by the
Aug 17 rating.

Figure 1. Incidence of Summer Patch in California with

Different Fungicides (PACE, 1998).
50
% Summer Patch Damage

40 Heritage / Banner MAXX

Heritage / Banner MAXX /
30 Thiophanate-methyl
Check
20

10

0
8/17/ 98

An effective preventive fungicide program:

Application 1: Begin applications when soil temperatures reach approximately 65F at a
2" depth for 3 consecutive days, usually in late April.
Banner MAXX (2.0 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 2: Applied 14 days following Application 1

Banner MAXX (2.0 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 3: Applied 14 days following Application 2

Banner MAXX (2.0 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 4: Applied 14 days after Application 3

Heritage 50WG (0.4 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 5: Applied 28 days after Application 4

Heritage 50WG (0.4 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 6: Applied 28 days after Application 5

Heritage 50WG (0.4 oz/1000 ft 2)

Application 7: Applied 28 days after Application 6

Thiophanate-methyl at label rates (if needed).

Call 1-800-395-8873 to contact your local Syngenta sales representative.

Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. warrants that its products conform to the chemical description set forth on the
products labels. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL APPLY TO
SYNGENTA PRODUCTS. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. neither assumes nor authorizes any representative or other person to assume for it any obligation or liability other than such as is expressly set forth
herein. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SYNGENTA CROP PROTECTION, INC. BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OR HANDLING OF ITS
PRODUCTS. No statements or recommendations contained herein are to be construed as inducements to infringe any relevant patent now or hereafter in existence. 2001 Syngenta. Syngenta Professional
Products, Greensboro, NC 27419. Banner, Heritage, MAXX, and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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