Take All Root Rot (TARR) has emerged recently as a significant, often fatal, disease of turfgrass in Texas. St. Augustine grass is especially susceptible, but Zoysia has had TARR, too. It is a soil-borne fungus whose symptoms appear mostly in the summer, but the disease actually spreads throughout the lawn in the cooler months of fall and spring. The symptoms show up first as yellow uneven patches in an otherwise green lawn. The ultimate result can be that the lawn dies in patches one to ten feet in diameter. The roots will be shortened, discolored, and eventually blackened and shriveled.
Take All Root Rot can be associated with excessive nitrogen fertilizer, especially urea-based, synthetic fertilizers, and the use of broadleaf herbicides. Please consult our Lady Bug Natural Brand Organic Lawn Care Guide for more information on fertilizing and weed control with natural products.
Remember that St. Augustine is a poorly adapted plant in our area, and is susceptible to a long list of diseases and pests. Lawn in general is a high maintenance part of the landscape, requiring mowing, watering, fertilizing, weed, disease, and pest control, taking an excess of time, money, energy, and resources. Consider minimizing the lawn and planting native or well-adapted trees, shrubs, xeric plants, or ground cover instead. In addition, consider planting vegetable gardens and fruit trees, where the water is at least going to edible plants.
While there has not been an extensive amount of research on TARR, nor a long history of curing the disease, the following options for treatment of TARR are gleaned from existing research and basic organic disease control guidelines. Of course, spray liquids only in early morning or late evening. Choose at least the first two steps for best results.
Remember, any liquids should only be sprayed first thing in the morning or late in the evening.
Best results are obtained when the lawn is treated at the first sign of Take All Root Rot, and treatments are continued as directed. Please let us know if you have any further questions or feedback.