KIKUYU YELLOWS

Causal Agent:

Verrucalvus flavofaciens

Susceptible Turfgrass:

Kikuyu

Symptoms:  

• Leaves turn a uniformly yellow with brown flecking.
• Roots usually turn yellowish brown colour and rot.I
• nfected areas range in size 10 cm to 1 m in diameter.

Conditions Favouring Disease:  

• Kikuyu Yellows thrive on high temperatures in spring and summer which offsets Kikuyu’s dominant growth period.
• Since plant material and soil can bear spores of the fungus, it can be difficult to control.
• Kikuyu Yellow is especially common in areas fertilised with nitrogen.

General Comments:          

• The Kikuyu Yellows’ fungus infects roots and causes them to rot.Weeds will often invade affected areas.
• Resow affected areas with suitable tolerant Kikuyu varieties ie Noonan

Distribution:

Found in north and central coastal regions of NSW, south coast of Queensland, and has been reported in Riverina and Tamworth area.

 

Management Tips:  

• Prevent spread by not moving infected soils and grass to new areas.
• Nitrogen fertilisers mask symptoms, use a complete fertiliser to encourage root development.

Fungicidal control

At present there are no Syngenta fungicides with label recommendation for control of kikuyu yellows in turf.