Lethal viral necrosis, also known as LVN, which is brought on by the sugarcane mosaic virus can kill an entire Floratam sod grass lawn within a few years of infection. Sugarcane mosaic virus is caused by a pathogen and has been known to be transmitted from one lawn to another by infected lawn maintenance equipment. Floratam has been one of the top varieties of St. Augustine sod grass since the early 1970s and is widely used in Palm Beach County lawns, but unfortunately Floratam is particularly vulnerable to this virus. Bermudagrass and bahiagrass are also susceptible, but to a lesser extent.
There is Currently No Known Cure for Sugarcane Mosaic Virus
Floratam is a variety of St. Augustine grass that is extremely popular for West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, Jupiter and other Palm Beach County, Florida lawns. But there are other choices when it comes to St. Augustine sod grasses. Palmetto and bitterblue are both varieties of St. Augustine grass that are more resistant to sugarcane mosaic virus and make a fine choice to replace Floratam. The state of Florida even suggests using Palmetto type St. Augustine sod for this very reason.
If St. Augustine sod isn’t a requirement in your Palm Beach County community, Zoysiagrass might also be a good choice as it does not seem to be susceptible to virus.
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