Alfredo Martinez

  • Gray leaf spot on St. Augustinegrass Gray leaf spot is active and causing epidemics St. Augustinegrass. The fungus Pyricularia grisea also affects perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in Georgia. However, the disease is particularly aggressive in St Augustinegrass. Hot humid summer weather and high nitrogen levels can make turf susceptible to this disease. On St.…

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  • Winter and early spring turfgrass disease foes

    Yellow Patch (Rhizoctonia cerealis). Sporadic infections of R. cerealis (yellow patch) have been observed in ryegrass over-seeded bermudagrass turf swards and sport fields. The disease is rare in the state, but it thrives in extended periods of wet, cloudy weather. It is a cool-temperature disease (50 to 65°F). Disease development is significantly suppressed at temperatures…

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  • Bermudagrass Stem Maggot in GA Turf

    Author: Dr. Will Hudson, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia The invasive bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM), Atherigona reversura, has become a serious pest in GA hayfields since it appeared in 2010.  The fly is native to Asia but is now found everywhere in the US where bermudagrass is found.  The name stem maggot comes from…

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  • Author: Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza, Plant Pathology Department, University of Georgia-Griffin Campus Large patch: To limit the severity of Rhizoctonia large patch on warm season grasses (especially on zoysiagrass), avoid nitrogen applications at this time. Regardless of fertility, preventive fungicide treatments may be required. The fungus (Rhizoctonia solani) becomes active when night temperatures fall below 60°F. Fungicides of the…

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