Article
Courtesy of The University of Florida By
Gator Jane Published
December 24, 2014
As if chinch bugs, take-all root rot, large patch, grey leaf spot, nematodes,
webworms, armyworms, grass loopers and mole crickets weren’t enough of a
headache when it comes to growing St. Augustinegrass, you can add a “new” virus
to the mix.
Sugarcane Mosaic virus has been around since the 1960s when it was first
reported in Palm Beach County. It was noted that certain cultivars of St.
Augustinegrass were resistant to the virus, and by using resistant cultivars for
the past 50 years the disease produced only mild symptoms that were easily
overlooked.
In the fall of 2013, an outbreak of the disease occurred in Pinellas County.
This time the disease caused severe dieback that completely killed some infected
lawns. The most severe symptoms in this recent epidemic have been on the
cultivar “Floratam” St. Augustinegrass. The susceptibility of most other
varieties to this virus is unknown at this time. Currently, mosaic infection is
only a concern on St. Augustinegrass in Florida. There is no cure for this
disease and the severity of the disease can range from yellowing to death.
The virus is easily spread by lawn mowers, line trimmers and other equipment
that can transfer infected clippings from lawn to lawn. Aphids (small insects
with piercing-sucking mouthparts) can also transmit the virus, but it isn’t
known how important these insects or other insects may be in spreading this
disease. Sod can also be infected with this disease.
To minimize the spread of this disease in areas where the virus occurs, lawn
equipment should be sanitized between properties. Remove clippings and any other
plant material and then spray parts that can transfer plant sap using dilute
bleach, quaternary ammonia, alcohol, or another sanitizing agent according to
the directions.
Once the grass is infected there is nothing that can stop the development or
spread of this viral disease. If you lose your lawn to this disease it would be
best to plant something other than St. Augustinegrass.
For more information about this disease see this UF/IFAS publication: “Mosaic
Disease of St. Augustinegrass Caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus” by searching the
web. You can also contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office.
For information about landscaping options visit your local UF/IFAS Extension
office, or search the web for “Florida-Friendly Landscaping.”
Virus
attacking St. Pete neighborhood lawns |