Yellow/Orange Fungus? Third year in Rye Grass

[jcarr]

For the third year in a row, I am getting a yellow/orange dust in lawn. When I walk through the grass, my shoes or feet turn color. I overseed with Rye each year. I have been organic three years (in this yard) and have treated with corn meal with no luck. The color goes away as the Rye dies out.

I thought it was due to watering, but with the rains this year I have not watered at all. It appeared late last week and is spreading rapidly.

Other than corn meal or corn meal jouce, does anyone have a recommendation? I never had to deal with this at the last house or any other turf area I have cared for. It is becoming real frustrating.

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

There are only a few fungal diseases that corn meal seems to have zero effect on. Rust and red thread are two of them. I'm not sure which one you have but it's reddish and is not affected by CM so you have one of them.

There are a couple other organic "antifungal" materials. You can try seaweed (2 ounces per gallon sprayed as a foliar spray), milk (same rate), and garlic juice. Howard has a recipe for garlic juice somewhere. Basically you put a pound of garlic and 32 ounces of water in a blender and liquefy it. Strain off the pulp and spray the juice.

[khwoz]

CK the links below for more info.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7746&highlight=garlic

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=155

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=1575