Red Thread - fungal disease of lawns and grasses
What causes Red Thread Disease?
As its name suggests, Red Thread causes red / pinkish threads to
appear on the lawn. These threads are caused by a fungus - Laetisaria
fuciformis / Corticium fuciforme and they grown on infected blades
of grass. The threads can extend to around an inch past the height
of the grass. Red thread does not always kill off the grass although
once infected a blade of grass can be killed off in a couple of
days.
The seasons when Red Thread occur are spring and autumn when the
climatic conditions are suitable for the growth and dispersal of
the fungus - when temperatures are around 16-24 °C. Laetisaria fuciformis
may survive dry conditions over winter and summer for up to 2 years.
What are the effects on the grass and lawn?
The infected grass will firstly be 'bleached' in colour, the grass
will turn pale cream / white. Not all grass blades will be affected,
as non-infected blades may exist next to infected blades. In these
circumstances the grass will appear visibly messy. In moist conditions
the fungus will form the pink branching threads. Once the threads
are well developed the lawn will have reddish / pinkish tinge to
it in small patches, these patches may join together to form larger
patches.
Maintaining the lawn to prevent the onset of Red Thread
Lawns and grasses that are lacking in Nitrogen are much more susceptible
to the onset of Red Thread so feed the lawn when necessary.
To help lawn drainage and aeration (letting oxygen in and carbon
dioxide out) aerate the lawn using a hollow spike lawn aerator in
autumn.
Use a lawn scarifier or spring tine rake to remove layers of thatch
that can 'suffocate' the living grasses.
Ensure the lawn is adequately drained to prevent high moisture
levels that fungi will thrive on.
Examine the shadows cast by trees and shrubs and see if they may
be contributing to damp lawn conditions, if they are then consider
either removing the offending plant or thinning its branches down
by careful pruning to let more sunlight through.
How can I help prevent the spread of Red Thread?
Red Thread can be the transportation of infected grass blades and
the actual threads themselves thus spreading the infection to uninfected
areas of the lawn. The threads and infected grass can be transported
by various actions including use of the lawn mower, walking on the
grass, high winds etc. Try mowing the infected area seperately from
the rest of the lawn and burning the grass clippings that you collect
from the infected area.
The fungus that causes Red Thread also produces spores that will
promote the dispersal of the disease.
You may want to use a fungicide that contains benomyl or carbendazim
to remove the fungal infection. Always double check and precisely
follow the manufacturers instructions when using fungicides.