Disorder

A feature or condition, especially environmental one, which affects and harms a turfgrass plant. Extreme or unsuitable growing conditions can create plant stress, which can result in disease-like symptoms, plant discolourations, unusual growth, or plant death. A disorder is not a direct result of disease or pest damage to leaves of roots, although in some cases it is a consequence of a secondary action from the presence of an organism, for example, animal urine will typically scorch a sward, often killing the leaves and in some cases killing off grass roots as well. A light forking and a thorough soaking of an affected area can help to dilute concentrations of urine, gradually flushing it through the rootzone.

Examples of conditions which can contribute to turf disorders include:
• Incorrect pesticide applications.
• Extreme hot temperatures.
• Lack of water or drought.
• Extreme cold temperatures.
• Continuous high wind speeds.
• Overapplication of fertilisers.
• Inadequate washing in of fertilisers.
• Nutritional deficiency.
• Lack of adequate light levels (shade).
• Oil or fuel spillage.
• Incorrect mower settings.
• Waterlogging, or excess moisture in a thatch layer.
• Toxic gas concentration within a soil.
• Soil compaction.
• Anaerobic soil, which can lead to Black Layer developing.
• Hydrophobic conditions within a soil, which can lead to Dry Patch.
• Algal growth on a sward.
• Dog lichen.
• Slime mould infestation.