Sugar cane mosaic virus affects lawns across Florida

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

A virus known as sugar cane mosaic virus (SMV) is spreading through lawns across Florida, including the Gulf Coast, leaving yards patchy and discolored.

Sheryl Van Der Heiden, a residential horticulture agent for Lee County and the University of Florida IFAS Extension Office, explained that SMV affects Saint Augustine grass and sugar canes, where it originated and was first described in 1919.

Van Der Heiden advised homeowners not to immediately assume their grass is infected, as SMV can resemble other lawn diseases. "It's very important that if you think you see that streaky kind of mosaic pattern that kind of runs along the parallel veins of the blade, if you see that in some of your grass, make sure that you send a sample to the UF IFAS Extension Plant Pathology Lab in Gainesville," she said. If a sample tests positive for SMV, it can take two to five years for the grass to develop lethal viral necrosis, which kills the entire plant.

Tim Duffy from Lawn Doctor has encountered SMV in Lee and Collier counties. "But there is no cure to get rid of the virus," Duffy said. He noted that the virus is found in the sod of Saint Augustine grass and initially appears like a fungus, but is undetectable until it is too late. The only way to remove the virus is to physically dig it up, which can cost homeowners thousands of dollars to replace.

"You have to either tear out and resod or, you know, there's only so many things you can do," Duffy said. He explained that the virus is mostly active in late October, November, and December, and while lawns are starting to recover, the virus will return next year. SMV can spread through insects and lawn equipment like lawn mowers, so Van Der Heiden recommended ensuring landscapers clean their blades and mowers to prevent transferring living plant material. "If it's dried out, the virus dies. So, that's one way to control it," she said.

For those who mow their own lawns, Duffy suggested maintaining grass at three and a half to four inches, watering when needed, and proper maintenance to help control the virus. "We recommend three and a half, three and a half to four inches, water when it needs it. And just the proper maintenance is key to helping this virus," Duffy said. Despite there being no chemical or spray available to eliminate the virus, these measures can help manage its impact.

Homeowners are encouraged to send samples to the UF IFAS Extension Plant Pathology Lab if their grass appears discolored or patchy.

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