Mowing favors fungal infection by creating wounds and, in some cases, disseminating the fungus. Height of cut also influences disease susceptibility. Mowing too closely predisposes turf to several diseases by removing the youngest, most photosynthetically productive tissues. This causes a depletion of food reserves in the plant, which are needed for disease resistance and recovery from stress and injury. Keep mower blades sharp.
Water is necessary for spore germination and fungal growth.
Proper use of irrigation can influence turfgrass diseases. Frequency, timing, and duration of irrigation are important factors to avoid predisposing turf to diseases. At the extreme, over-watered turf is succulent and prone to infection. Waterlogged soils are not well aerated and root growth is hindered. Algae and mosses thrive in waterlogged soils, particularly where turf density is poor.