Purdue Extension
BP-104-W
Turfgrass Disease Profiles
Red Thread
Philip Harmon, Graduate Research Assistant
Richard Latin, Professor of Plant Pathology
Red thread is a foliar disease that usually
occurs on taller mown turfgrasses during
spring and fall. Red thread symptoms cre-
ate an undesirable appearance, but crowns
and roots are not infected, so plants are
not killed and turf eventually will recover.
Red thread takes its name from the
antler-like structures (sclerotia) produced
by a fungus (Laetisaria fuciformis) on the
tips of infected leaf blades. The red or
pink sclerotia (Figures 1 and 2) are visible
without magnification and are useful for
identifying the disease in the field.
Figure 1
Gray Snow Mold From a distance, red thread symptoms
appear as circular patches of tan or pink turf about
Pink Snow Mold
4-8 inches in diameter (Figure 3). The pink color is
Leaf Spot/Melting Out caused by the sclerotia and/or flocks of pink my-
Red Thread celium on leaf blades (Figure 4). Other diseases,
including dollar spot, pink snow mold, and especially
Dollar Spot pink patch, have field patterns and symptoms that
Brown Patch resemble red thread, and are active during similar
environmental conditions. However, after close
Gray Leaf Spot inspection, red thread is easily distinguished from
Anthracnose other diseases by the presence of the sclerotia.
Pythium Blight Red thread most commonly affects Kentucky blue-
grass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. Outbreaks
Rust Diseases usually occur in low maintenance turf stands such Figure 2
Powdery Mildew as residential lawns, golf course roughs, and some
low budget athletic fields. Red thread development is
Slime Mold
most common where turfgrass nutrition is poor and
Fairy Ring there are other factors that promote slow growing
Take All Patch turf.
Summer Patch Disease development occurs over a relatively wide
range of cool conditions (40-70° F), typically in the
Necrotic Ring Spot spring and fall, especially during long evening dew
Rhizoctonia Large Patch periods.
Yellow Patch Although the disease is often associated with
malnourished, low-quality, slow-growing turf, a rapid
build-up of inoculum can result in outbreaks on well- Figure 3
managed turf, including golf course fairways and tee
boxes.
Turfgrass Disease Profiles Red Thread BP-104-W Purdue Extension
The red thread pathogen by flutolanil or QoI
survives winter as sclerotia products.
in the thatch and soil layers. Repeated fungicide
These sclerotia are a signifi- applications targeting
cant source of inoculum for red thread should be
outbreaks in subsequent unnecessary if cultural
years. Maintenance prac- control options are
tices, such as mowing, play implemented. After a
a relatively minor role in remedial treatment to
spreading the disease to suppress an unacceptable
unaffected areas. situation, red thread may
Existing patches expand in be held in check with
a radial pattern by mycelial supplemental applications
Figure 4
growth. of nitrogen fertilizer (0.2
Disease Control Options pound of N per 1,000 square feet) during spring and
Nonchemical Approaches perhaps early summer.
Genetic resistance to red thread infection is limited. Red Thread Control for Residential Lawns
Turfgrass varieties with different levels of red thread Fungicides are not usually advised for red thread
susceptibility are listed on the National Turfgrass control on residential turf for various reasons. The
Evaluation Program (NTEP) Web site: http://www. disease is largely cosmetic. Unless environmental
ntep.org. conditions that promote disease development persist
The most important nonchemical (cultural) control for extended periods, the turf will recover — usually
option involves implementing an adequate nitrogen with no lasting effects of infection. Outbreaks usually
fertility program. This involves reviewing fall-applied occur in spring and early summer, about the time
nitrogen programs and considering supplemental that the benefits of fall-applied nitrogen fertilizer run
spring-applied nitrogen on turf with a history of red out. In lawns with a history of red thread, supple-
thread outbreaks. A good fertility program implement- mental nitrogen fertilizer (0.2 pound of N per 1,000
ed over two to three years should drastically reduce square feet) in mid- to late spring should reduce
further red thread problems. Other cultural practices disease severity and will promote more rapid turf
that promote healthy turf and vigorous growth also recovery.
help suppress red thread. Outbreaks may be reduced There are situations when fungicides for red thread
further by avoiding irrigation practices that extend control on residential turf are warranted. In those
dew periods (such as watering in the late afternoon cases, effective fungicides should be applied by
and early evening). licensed applicators when the pathogen is active.
Chemical Control More Information
Fungicides may be used to control red thread if A good place to start a long-term plan for red
outbreaks occur on high maintenance turf or high thread control is Purdue Extension publication AY-22,
value properties. QoI class fungicides (strobilurins) Fertilizing Home Lawns, available at http://www.agry.
are very effective, especially when applied before purdue.edu/turf/pubs/ay-22.pdf.
sclerotia form. Flutolanil (Prostar®) also is very
Other turf-related publications are available on the
effective. Because dollar spot and pink snow mold
Purdue Turfgrass Management Program Web site:
(Microdochium patch) may be active at the same time
http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/publicat.htm.
as red thread, consider tank mixing other fungicides
to avoid outbreaks of diseases that are not controlled All photos by Philip Harmon and Richard Latin.
Purdue Agriculture 12/09
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