Post-emergence Damping Off

Seed germination has been successful, however, seedlings which become infected, often appear in initially yellowing, then red and bronze tinged, patches, collapse and die, forming moist patches of decaying seedlings. Common fungal pathogens include Fusarium spp, Pythium spp, and Rhizoctonia spp.

Wet soil conditions, high density of seedlings through high seeding rates, poor air circulation, high relative humidity amongst the grass leaves and slow leaf development following germination all increase the chance of this damping off occurring.

To reduce the chance of this type of damping off occurring then aim to produce a well-prepared seed bed, ensure an adequate supply of available nutrients to aid seedling development, sow at suitable seeding rates and certainly not high rates at times of the year when rapid seed germination is expected and keep the surface dry from dew by regular drag brushing or switching.