Centipede Grass Disease

Centipede grass is resistant to many diseases.

Centipede grass was brought to the United States from China and Southeast Asia around 1916. It is a slow-growing, creeping grass that has short stems that stick upward, thus the "centipede" label. It is used mainly in the southeastern United States, where it grows well in the sandy, acidic soil conditions. Centipede grass can survive cold temperatures but not many hard freezes. Though it turns brown during light freezes, it quickly recovers.

Brown Patch

Brown patch is a fungus disease that often affects centipede grass. It appears in heavily fertilized grass during periods when the temperature is above 68 degrees at night and above 80 degrees during the day. Small brown patches may appear, sometimes encircling green grass. The brown patches can join together to make areas up to three feet wide. To prevent brown patch, limit fertilizing during the summer months. Apply a fungicide recommended by your local agricultural extension service, according to package directions.

Helminthosporium

Helminthosporium can appear in spring and fall and causes thinness in lawn growth. It produces runners that are brown or green and fail to grow well enough to cover bare areas. The disease can be controlled by applying 15-0-15 fertilizer at a rate of six pounds per 1,000 square feet in late April and then in July. Avoiding the use of high-nitrogen fertilizers can prevent this condition. Watering infrequently but deeply will also help. The use of fungicides is not always necessary.

Spring Dieback

Spring dieback is not a disease but is often confused with lawn disease because the signs are so similar to lawn disease conditions. It is caused by alternating cold and warm periods during February and March. The centipede grass depletes its reserves trying to green up in these conditions. Large patches of dead grass will appear in April, showing the damage incurred. To avoid dieback, not fertilizing after September is recommended. You may need to transplant healthy plugs from other areas to fill in the area.

Centipede Grass Decline

Centipede grass decline has no known cause, but it is influenced by high fertilization rates, high moisture rates and very low-height mowing habits. These conditions over four to five years can cause root dieback in the spring. This then inhibits shoot growth and large patches of grass die. Thatch accumulation can increase the likelihood of this problem.

Winter Kill

Centipede grass does not enter true dormancy during very cold weather, so that when intense or intermittent cold occurs the grass can be severely damaged. Hard freezes kill the stolons of centipede grass. The grass may recover when temperatures rise, but cycles of cold and warmth can deplete its reserves and leave extremely damaged sections.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension: Centipede Grass
• Walter Reeves: Centipede Disease
• American Lawns: Centipede Grass