If there is one thing we can be certain of this season, is that there will be increased disease pressures given the crazy weather we’ve been experiencing. As we come into winter, one of the diseases that can be prevalent is Winter Fusarium (Microdochium Patch, formerly Fusarium nivale).
The following conditions tend to lead to this disease:
- More than 10 hours a day of foliar wetness for several consecutive days
- Cool temperatures; 0 – 10°C are most favourable
- Soil high in nitrogen fertility and low phosphorous and potassium
- Areas with slow growing conditions and heavy thatch.
Winter Fusarium symptoms are evident from May to September in the southern states of Australia, in New Zealand or in cooler climates. It’s important to keep your turf protected through autumn and winter, as scarring will only start to recover in spring when active growth resumes.
Patches can present as pinkish in colour and can change from orange-brown to dark brown and finally to a light grey. The spots may enlarge indefinitely but are usually less than 20 cm in diameter. In very wet conditions a thin to fluffy covering of white mycelium may be seen on matted leaves.
Maintaining optimum turf health and surface integrity throughout winter ensures the best possible start in spring; use slow release fertilisers when fertilising in autumn, increase air circulation to speed turf’s drying process and minimise the amount of shade.
One of the most economical and effective ways to get Winter Fusarium out is by using fungicides at the correct time and rates. Trust the industry’s best – with our recommended first-line option of INSTRATA Turf Fungicide, and rotational partners POSTERITY Turf Fungicide, MEDALLION Turf Fungicide as a follow up rotation with a different mode of action when pressure is persistent.
An application of INSTRATA® in early May at 18 L/ha will clean out and protect turf – it can halt existing infections immediately and prevent new ones from occurring, all in the one application via rapid systemic action and translaminar activity.
Following up with POSTERITY® in early June at 0.5 – 1 L/ha will ensure turf is protected and any disease encroachment is stopped for up to four weeks. POSTERITY® has recently had its label extended from control of Dollar Spot, to include both Winter Fusarium and Spring Dead Spot. When pressure is high and longer protect is require the 1L/ha rate will provide the best levels of protection for longer.
By rotating these two powerful fungicides you can ensure a robust defence against Winter Fusarium and peace of mind for 28 days after either product’s application.
Additionally, the comprehensive range of Syngenta fungicides gives you the option to follow these initial applications with long-lasting MEDALLION® in July and trusted HERITAGE MAXX in August. The ability of MEDALLION® to bind to the leaf surface quickly allows the early curative window to be wider than is possible for other contact fungicides. As turf growth rates slow down and mowing decreases due to reduced soil temperatures, this unique mode will lead to even longer efficacy and control of Winter Fusarium making it a perfect option in July/August.
