Scientific name
Laetisaria fuciformis
Common Names
Red Thread
Red Thread is a common fungal disease affecting cool-season turfgrasses throughout Australia, including ryegrass, fescue, bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. It is most prevalent during cool, wet weather and in turf with low nitrogen levels. The disease appears as irregular patches of bleached or pink grass with distinctive red or pink thread-like fungal growth extending from infected leaf tips. While Red Thread rarely kills turf, it weakens the grass and reduces turf quality if left untreated.
Similar Diseases
- Pink Patch (Limonomyces roseipellis)
- Dollar Spot (Clarireedia spp.)
- Rust (Puccinia spp.)
- Fusarium Patch (Microdochium nivale)
SCENARIOS AND SOLUTIONS
In cool-season lawns showing pink or red patches: Apply Indigo AzoForce 250SC Fungicide 2.5L preventatively or at the first signs of disease for effective control.
On sports fields and golf courses during cool, humid weather: Apply Indigo AzoForce 250SC Fungicide 2.5L before disease develops and continue applications as label directions recommend.
In turf with recurring Red Thread outbreaks: Maintain adequate nitrogen fertility and rotate Indigo AzoForce 250SC Fungicide 2.5L with fungicides from different mode-of-action groups to reduce resistance risk.
In professionally managed turf requiring preventative disease programs: Use Indigo AzoForce 250SC Fungicide 2.5L as part of a seasonal fungicide program to provide broad-spectrum protection against Red Thread.
References
https://turfcareaus.com.au/our-products/proforce-clean-sweep-trio/
