Rust

Rust is one of the easiest lawn diseases to identify. The beginning phase of the infection causes light-yellow flecks on the grass blades and sheaths. The flecks then enlarge and elongate over time, turning deeper yellow in color. These flecked areas eventually rupture, releasing spores that are yellowish-orange to reddish-brown in color, hence the name Rust. A severe Rust infection can cause your entire lawn shoot (all of the above-ground parts of a grass plant) to slow growth and turn yellowish- to reddish-brown. Grass may appear thin as individual shoots start to die off. Toward the end of the Rust infection cycle, leaves can become shredded and point downward if the lawn disease is severe enough. Also, plants infected by Rust are more susceptible to infection from other types of lawn fungi.