Which of the following practices helps in reducing the spread of St. Augustine Decline?

Maintaining healthy lawn practices is essential in reducing the spread of St. Augustine Decline. This disease primarily affects St. Augustine grass, which can be susceptible to various environmental stresses and pathogens. By focusing on overall lawn health, you promote a stronger and more resilient grass that can better withstand diseases.

Healthy lawn practices include proper watering, mowing, and fertilization to ensure that the grass is not stressed. A well-maintained lawn is less likely to show signs of disease like St. Augustine Decline because it has the resources it needs to thrive, including adequate moisture, nutrients, and optimal growing conditions. These practices also encourage beneficial microorganisms in the soil, which can help suppress disease pathogens.

Other options, such as using high nitrogen fertilizers or cutting the grass very short, can actually exacerbate health issues in the lawn. Over-fertilization can lead to rapid growth that stresses the plant and makes it more susceptible to disease. Cutting the grass too short can weaken the grass and expose it to disease pressures, while infrequent and shallow watering can lead to further stress and decline. Watering deeply once a week is a water management practice that can be beneficial, but on its own, it does not encompass the full scope of maintaining lawn health as effectively as comprehensive