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Centipede Grass is a warm-season perennial grass that grows well in the southern US. This is a low maintenance, slow-growing grass that is best used for lawn applications. Centipede Grass is a warm-season perennial grass that grows well in the southern US. This is a low maintenance, slow-growing grass that is best used for lawn applications.
- 1 Centipede Grass Diseases & Cures
- 2 Leading Cause of Yellow Grass
- 3 Centipedegrass & Yellow Grass Problems
- 4 Zoysia Diseases
Centipede grass (Eremochica ophiuroides) is a favored turf grass species that offers thick, dense turf in a lighter color than many other turf species. Centipede grass grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b through 11, although it's not typically preferred for West Coast climates since it is somewhat intolerant of alkaline soils. Centipede grass is more resistant to several pests and diseases than many other species of turf grass, although a few problems persist.
Centipede Grass Decline
Centipede grass decline is caused by a number of cultural mistakes including fertilizing, thatch buildup and water conditions. Some pests and diseases can lead to centipede grass decline, including nematodes and various fungal diseases. Thatch buildup can lead to centipede grass decline as it prevents water from thoroughly penetrating the soil to the roots. Excessive thatch buildup can also harbor insects and pathogens. Too much or too little water can also lead to this condition.
Brown Patch and Dollar Spot
Brown patch, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, results in many irregular patches of thin or brown grass spread throughout the turf. Warm-season grasses exhibit patches that may be several yards in diameter that often begin presenting themselves during fall, winter and early spring around the dormancy time. This disease begins spreading rapidly when temperatures are between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during rainy periods. Dollar spot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia homeocarpa, is sometimes called small brown patch. In most cases, brown spots ranging from 2 to 4 inches in diameter are spread sporadically across the lawn during humid summers. Some fungicides may help control these two fungal diseases.
Fairy Rings
Although the common name fairy ring sounds like it would be something pleasing or even whimsical, these irregular, crescent-shaped patches can become an eyesore in your centipede grass. Ranging from tiny, inconspicuous sizes upward to 50 feet in diameter, fairy rings are often dark brown rings lined by thick, darker-green grass. Dark brown turf is the result of the fungus forming an impervious layer that keeps the roots from getting water.
Nematodes and Chinch Bugs
Centipede grass tends to be resistant to most insect pests that frequently attack other species of turf. However, this species is particularly susceptible to plant-parasitizing nematodes. Some species of nematode are more likely to devastate centipede grass in sandy soils. Affected turf begins to discolor from apple green to yellow while also becoming thin. Nematode-infected grass doesn't respond to cultural practices such as watering or fertilization as the roots are affected by the pest. Hot weather may exacerbate the problem due to the roots not being able to take up water as quickly as they need to. Chinch bugs are small, growing up to about 1/8 inch long. They use their piercing mouthparts to suck the sap out of the crown and nodes of turf grass, resulting in yellowish-brown, irregular patches.
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About the Author
With a professional background in gardening, landscapes, pests and natural ecosystems, Jasey Kelly has been sharing her knowledge through writing since 2009 and has served as an expert writer in these fields. Kelly's background also includes childcare, and animal rescue and care.
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Kelly, Jasey. 'Centipede Grass Insects & Disease.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/centipede-grass-insects-disease-76488.html. Accessed 03 April 2020.
Kelly, Jasey. (n.d.). Centipede Grass Insects & Disease. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/centipede-grass-insects-disease-76488.html
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TifBlair Centipede GrassCreated from the seeds of common centipede grass in Georgia, the University of Georgia released this type of grass in 1997. It overcame most of the disadvantages of the common centipede grass. The seeds are larger than common centipede grass, making them easier to handle. The deep and strong root system of TifBlair enables this grass to tolerate cold, extreme conditions and retain color during the early winter months. This explains its extensive use in mainland United States. Its tall stolons are covered with leaves, thus allowing it to spread and form a dense cover over the ground in a short time. This type of centipede grass is highly tolerant to soil aluminium and acidic soils.
![Centipede Centipede](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126229473/283375481.png)
Unlike other grasses, TifBlair centipede grass does not spread or invade paved areas or flowerbeds because of its inability to produce underground rhizomes. Oklawn Centipede GrassOklawn centipede grass was released by the Oklahoma State University in 1965 as an improved variety of centipede grass that has superior cold- and drought- tolerance.This slow-growing, vegetatively-propagated variety has a medium texture and bluish-green hue. Besides seeds, Oklawn centipede grass is also started from sprigs, sod or plugs. Trenches in atlantic ocean.
It is moderately-resistant to insect damage, disease and heat, and withstands full sun or partial shade. Hammock Centipede GrassThis proprietary type of centipede grass is only distributed or sold by Florida's Environmental Turf, Inc. Renowned for better heat and drought tolerance than most of the other varieties of centipede grass, hammock centipede also exhibits a richer and darker color, thus making it more attractive. AU Centennial Centipede GrassReleased by the Auburn University in 1983, this type of centipede grass is actually a vegetatively-propagated dwarf variety. This semi-dwarf variety is thicker than the common centipede grass, exhibits richer color and tolerates low temperatures better. Its has shorter seed heads and smaller inter-nodes than other centipede grass varieties, making it a thick, low-growing sod.
AU Centennial Centipede grass tolerates soil alkalinity better than common centipede and Oklawn centipede grasses.
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