Brownpatch, a fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani , presents a serious threat to most turfgrasses each fall. With the onset of slightly cooler temperatures and wet conditions each fall, brownpatch presents a challenge to the professional turf manager. On warm season turfgrasses, the disease is characterized by at least two different types of symptoms. Symptoms first appear as small circular patches of water-soaked, dark grass that soon wilt and turn light brown.
Stolons often remain green.
Those conditions occur most often and for longer duration in the fall. High levels of nitrogen may also increase the severity of the disease. On cool season grasses, the disease first appears as dark green, water-soaked circular patches that range from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The affected leaves wilt and turn light brown, but remain upright. When environmental conditions are favorable brownpatch is likely to develop on susceptible turfgrasses.