This document provides information on choosing the right lawn fungicide. It discusses that fungicides prevent, kill, or slow down grass diseases. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be the foundation of disease control and rely on proper fertilizing, watering, and using biological controls before fungicides. When choosing a fungicide, it is important to identify the disease, use a product that works on the affecting fungus, and apply it properly. Fungicides can be contact or systemic, and both provide protection, though systemics remain active longer and require less coverage. Safety for pets and the environment should also be considered.

1. 2023 Choosing the right lawn
fungicide

3. ● Lawn fungicides are substances that prevent, kill, or
slow down grass diseases.
● There are several fungicides available to control turf
grass diseases.
● These are classed by mobility and mode of action.

4. ● The key to disease management is a healthy lawn.
● In reality 90% of “disease” problems are usually related
to something else.
● You should look at other problems like poor drainage,
mowing height or shade before reaching for the spray
bottle.

5. ● IPM is something that you should be aware of.
● Fungicides should be the last resort and aim to use IPM as
the foundation of a disease control plan.
● IPM doesn’t rely entirely on fungicides. The approach
consists of five steps.

6. 1. Check the turfgrass for signs of disease: discoloured
patches or lesions on leaves, stems or roots;
2. Set action thresholds;
3. Fertilise and water properly;
4. Look at the use of biologicals before resorting to
fungicides and
5. lastly evaluate all of the above and what impact they have
on the environment.

7. In recent years, the number of products on the market for
turf professionals and lawn owners has increased.
For example there are now combination fungicides on the
market like Lexicon Intrinsic and Clean Sweep Trio.

10. Is a lawn fungicide safe for pets?

11. ● One of the most important things is to make sure they
are safe for your family and pets.
● It is important to read all the labels and instructions
carefully before using any product.
● If you’re not sure, it is always best to consult with a
qualified turf consultant or turf agronomist

12. Disease Identification

13. ● To get the best results, you must first identify what the
turf disease is.
● Symptoms can include bare patches, spots on leaves, or
changes in plant colour.
● Different diseases effect different turf grasses, and so
it’s important to use a fungicide that works on the
fungus affecting your lawn.
● For more information about common turf diseases,
check our free Turf Disease Guide.

16. What’s available?

17. ● Contact Lawn fungicides
● Contacts, also known as protectants, form a barrier at
the leaf surface, which stops fungus from entering and
damaging plant tissue.
● As they remain outside the plant they are exposed to
external factors such as rainfall, and only remain active
for 7-14 days.
● Full coverage is important

18. ● Systemic or penetrant fungicides
● These are rainfast within a few hours and require less
coverage to work.
● Once absorbed by the plant they protect it from within
by moving around the plant.
● They give 14-28 days of protection and aren’t affected by
external factors.

19. How to get the best results from a
lawn fungicide

20. ● Different fungicides require different application methods,
so it’s important to make sure you’re applying your product
● If you’re using a spray, for example, make sure you’re using
the appropriate nozzle and pressure.
● It is important to remember that no two lawns are the same.
This means you should use the right product for the right
situation.