Reviewing the Research on Large Patch Turfgrass Disease

The Problem

Each spring, warm rains and moderate temperatures can trigger outbreaks of large patch, a turfgrass disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The disease produces expanding yellow to brown patches of dying grass, which compromise the integrity of lawns, golf courses, and sports fields across the southern United States. Large patch affects the appearance and durability of turfgrass, and despite its widespread impact, knowledge gaps persist about how soil conditions such as salinity, pH, and fertility influence the fungus’s growth.

The Work

Horticulture graduate student Samuel Kreinberg and Assistant Professor Wendell Hutchens authored “Review of the biology and management of large patch of warm-season turfgrasses” in the Crop Science journal. The review article compiles and analyzes decades of turfgrass pathology research, covering topics such as the disease’s infection cycle, environmental triggers and integrated management practices. It also identifies priority areas for future study, including breeding for large patch resistance.

The Results

The review emphasizes that proper management practices, including correct mowing, fertilization and watering, prevent most large patch problems. It also details the fungus’s seasonal pattern: thriving in cool, wet conditions and subsiding as temperatures rise and soils dry out. Beyond management, the authors spotlight how breeding for disease resistance could yield long-term solutions. Their field trials in Fayetteville and Alma, Arkansas, are contributing data on how large patch spreads in zoysiagrass under real-world conditions.

The Value

The review serves as a practical reference, offering research-backed advice for turf managers, sod producers, and homeowners dealing with large patch infestations. By clarifying what is known and what remains to be discovered, this work helps guide future research and supports healthier, more resilient turf across residential and commercial landscapes.