Root rot is a lawn disease that can have devastating effects on turf health, often leading to patchy, discolored, or dead areas of grass. It occurs when your grass becomes infected with fungi or bacteria, impairing its ability to absorb nutrients and water. Unlike many foliar lawn diseases that affect only the leaf blades of grass, this disease will attack the roots of your lawn, eventually killing the grass completely.
Knowing how to identify and prevent the warning signs of root rot just may save your lawn, so keep reading to learn how!
Root rot can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because the damage primarily occurs underground, out of sight. However, there are several visible symptoms on the lawn's surface that can signal its presence. One of the earliest signs is discolored grass that slowly expands across your lawn. There are a number of factors that can cause turf to become discolored and brittle, including other lawn diseases, pest damage, drought damage, and more. If you are trying to determine whether your lawn is dealing with a root rot problem, look for the following symptoms to help differentiate it from other common lawn issues.
Root rot poses more than just an aesthetic problem for lawns. If untreated, the damage can be permanent, sometimes requiring full replanting of the affected areas. One of the greatest dangers of root rot is the irreversible damage it causes to the root system. Severely impacted roots may no longer recover, even with appropriate treatment, resulting in large dead patches that often require resodding or reseeding. The disease can also spread, particularly if the environmental conditions that encouraged its development remain unchanged.
Weakened grass is more vulnerable to secondary infections from other fungi or pests. Prolonged root rot infections can also deplete the soil of vital nutrients, impairing the soil’s overall health and making it harder to support new grass growth even after the disease has been eradicated.
When discussing root rot in lawns, it's important to recognize that there are generally two primary types: Pythium root rot and take-all root rot. Each is caused by different fungi, and the way they affect the grass and soil varies significantly. While Pythium root rot is more of a short-term problem, take-all root rot is often a long-term issue that can be difficult to eradicate without significant lawn maintenance and soil amendments.
Pythium root rot is a fast-acting fungal disease caused by the Pythium fungus. It thrives in overly wet, humid environments, which is why it’s commonly found in lawns with poor drainage or those that are overwatered. Pythium root rot can spread rapidly, especially in hot and humid conditions, making it particularly destructive during the summer months. The disease causes the grass to wilt and turn yellow or brown, often creating large patches of dead grass in a short time. Affected soil may also become waterlogged and feel slimy to the touch.
In contrast, take-all root rot is caused by the Gaeumannomyces graminis fungus. Unlike Pythium, take-all root rot spreads more slowly and typically prefers drier, sandy soils. It primarily affects cool-season grasses, although warm-season grasses can also be susceptible under the right conditions. Take-all root rot tends to show up in the spring or fall when temperatures are milder. The disease causes the grass to thin out and turn a pale, yellowish color, eventually leading to large patches of dead grass that may take months to fully develop.
Root rot is typically caused by a combination of environmental factors and the presence of certain pathogens. As is the case with any fungal lawn disease, excess moisture is the biggest contributing factor. Overwatering, poor drainage, and excessive rainfall can all create the ideal conditions for root rot. Wet, waterlogged soils deprive the roots of oxygen, making them more susceptible to fungal infection, but there are other factors that can also lead to root rot in your lawn.
Once root rot has been identified, immediate action is necessary to prevent further damage. Treatment options depend on the severity of the infection and the type of root rot present. Of course, the best way to deal with root rot is to prevent it from developing altogether. Preventing root rot begins with proper lawn care and creating an environment where fungal pathogens cannot thrive. Keep these tips in mind when dealing with root rot.
Most importantly, if you are in the Gilbert or Mesa, AZ areas and fear you have root rot developing on your lawn, call Little John’s immediately! Our technicians have been preventing and treating common lawn diseases in Arizona for years, and we know what signs to look for and what lawn care strategies are needed to keep your lawn healthy and disease-free. Contact us today for more information on how our services can improve your turf!
Welcome to Little John’s Lawns! We are a family-owned company that specializes in providing professional lawn maintenance, lawn care, pest control, and irrigation services in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek, AZ.