Light and frequent watering generally reduced turf disease activity.

Light and frequent watering generally reduced turf disease activity.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in warm-season grasses
• D. Not at all

Answer: (A)

Moisture on turf blades drives many turf diseases, so controlling leaf wetness duration is key to reducing disease activity. When irrigation is light and frequent, the canopy receives small amounts of water that dry more quickly between events, shortening the time leaves stay wet. Shorter leaf wetness periods mean pathogens have fewer opportunities to germinate and infect, which lowers disease pressure. Timing matters too: watering in the morning helps leaves dry before nightfall, while watering late in the day can keep them wet longer and increase risk. So, light and frequent watering generally reduces turf disease activity.