Zoysia Disease Management

Large Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) is the #1 disease threat to zoysia — it appears as expanding circular patches of thinning, orange-bronze turf in fall and spring when soil temps are 60-75°F. Prevention is critical: apply a preventive fungicide (azoxystrobin or propiconazole) in early fall when soil temps drop below 75°F, and again in early spring before green-up. Dollar spot causes small bleached-tan spots with hourglass-shaped lesions on individual blades — increase nitrogen slightly and improve air circulation. Brown patch produces irregular dark patches with a smoke-ring border during hot humid nights — reduce evening watering and apply fungicide. All three diseases thrive when thatch is excessive, so annual dethatching is the single best disease prevention strategy.