Powdery Mildew in Turf

Powdery mildew develops primarily on Kentucky bluegrass in shaded areas with poor air circulation. Infected grass is easy to identify, as grass appears whitish in color. High nitrogen levels tend to favor disease development. Although the white, powdery growth on the leaf blades is quite visible, Powdery Mildew rarely causes significant damage to turf and thus control with a fungicide is not routinely recommended. Choose shade tolerant grass and follow shade lawn management practices.

For more information on powdery mildew in turf, you may refer to BP-111-W Powdery Mildew (PDF 199K) by Dr. Richard Latin, Purdue University or the Ohio State University Fact Sheet HYG-3081-96-Powdery Mildew on Turfgrass at
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3081.html by Joseph W. Rimelspach and Michael J. Boehm

--Gail Ruhl, Interim P&PDL Director, Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University

Figures 1 & 2 courtesy of Joseph W. Rimelspach and Michael J. Boehm,
Ohio State University