Lawn infestations raise red flag

A long-dormant virus that can weaken and even kill Floratam, a popular form of St. Augustine grass, is re-emerging in Palm Beach County.

The million-dollar lawns of Palm Beach do not appear to be at risk right now, but the several cases of lawn infestations were confirmed last month in western Boynton Beach, according to the countys Cooperative Extension Service office. A few cases have also been reported, but not yet confirmed, in Wellington, said Laurie Albrecht, an extension agent who specializes in environmental horticulture.

The University of Floridas Rapid Turfgrass Diagnostic Service (turf.ufl.edu/rapiddiag.shtml) tests plant material for property owners who suspect the virus is damaging their yards.

It can progress and people may see dead spots streaking on the leaf blades and the grass can get an unhealthy yellowish tinge and/or you can have dead turf grass, Albrecht said. When the disease thins grass, weeds can take over, she said.

Ethan Howell, co-owner of Florida Environmental Pest Management, said he has a lab test a soil sample from a yard in Wellington where something has turned most of the grass on the property brown.

It looks very, very, sick damaged is the word Id use. Not dead, Howell said. Were about 99 percent sure (it is sugarcane mosaic virus) from everything weve seen.

The virus could become a problem elsewhere in the county, he said. Its something that I would be concerned about, Howell said.

More cases have been reported this year in Miami-Dade and Broward counties than Palm Beach County, said Audrey Norman, director of the local Extension Service, an agency of UF.

Other outbreaks

Floratam is especially vulnerable to the virus, which was discovered in the 1960s in the western, sugar-producing regions of Palm Beach County. It died out years ago but returned a few years ago, Albrecht said. In late 2013, an outbreak of about 250 infestations was reported in the St. Petersburg area, she said.

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Lawn infestations raise red flag