Telia are dark brown and are sometimes confused with one of the leaf spot diseases. Conditions Favoring Rust Rust epidemics are favored by either warm late summer days with cool nights that produce heavy dew formation or by frequent rain showers that keep the turf wet for several hours. These conditions are common in Nebraska in late August and throughout September and coincide with the time of greatest rust development in our turfs. Turf with a reduced growth rate due to a lack of nitrogen, insufficient watering, soil compaction or other growth-limiting factor will be more heavily rusted than actively growing turf. Also, infrequent mowing can result in a build-up of rust on leaves and stems.
Athletic fields are often prime targets of rust attack because of lower maintenance and compaction.
Prescription for Healthy Turf Rusts do less damage when vigorous growth is promoted by adequate, but not excessive, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation. Prevention of drought stress appears as important in the control of turf rusts as assuring an adequate state of soil fertility. Rust injury to turfgrass can sometimes be lessened by improving mid-season fertility and irrigation management. Preventive rust management really begins with initial establishment of a turf. Improved cultivars that are well adapted to Nebraska's climate and that show a reasonable level of resistance to the major diseases are available.