Turfgrass disease
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Dollar Spot is Still Active The dollar spot fungus (Clarireedia spp.) remains active and continues to infect both cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. The recent period of lower temperatures and extended leaf wetness has created favorable conditions for disease development and symptom expression. As a result, dollar spot activity is ongoing. Turfgrass managers should continue to monitor…
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We have recently observed infections and symptoms of mini ring (leaf and sheath spot) in our TifEagle experimental green at the University of Georgia Griffin Campus. Environmental conditions characterized by hot spells, extended leaf wetness, and high humidity are favorable for disease development. While this week’s coolish temperatures are a temporary reprieve, turfgrass professionals should…
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Recent periods of warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall across Georgia have created favorable conditions for the development of Pythium blight in tall fescue. This destructive disease, caused by several species of Pythium, can spread rapidly under conducive environmental conditions and result in significant turf loss within a short period of time. Initial symptoms typically…
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Sooty Mold on Dormant Turfgrass We have recently received several turfgrass samples and inquiries regarding gray to dark, olive-green areas appearing on dormant or semi-dormant turfgrass. Under the microscope, we have found a large amount of several saprophytic (no disease-causing organisms) fungi and yeasts associated with the symptoms. These organisms colonize dead and senescing foliar…
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Georgia’s summer heat combined with high humidity are favorable conditions for gray leaf spot infection Gray leaf spot is a fungus disease that affects St. Augustinegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue in Georgia. Hot humid summer weather and high nitrogen levels can make turf susceptible to this disease. The fungus causing the disease is Pyricularia…
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We recently received physical and digital samples of dormant or quasi-dormant bermudagrass having patches of grayish-white to cream patches in color. The patches ranged from 4-15 inches (10-40 cm) in diameter and in some cases coalesced to form bigger patches. Similar symptoms were also noted on our “TifEagle” research green located at the University of…
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Rhizoctonia Large patch of turfgrass is most common in the fall and in the spring as warm season grasses are entering or leaving dormancy. Large patch is caused by the soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani (AG 2-2LP). It can affect all warm-season turfgrass species. The disease produces irregularly-shaped weak or dead patches that are from 2…
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Dollar Spot is Active. The dollar spot fungus (Clarireedia sp formerly Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is now active this 2025 spring. We have seen active infections in bermudagrass and seashore paspalum in our UGA Griffin campus research plots as well as several bermdagrass lawns in the area. Dollar spot can produce infections on warm season grass as…
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Summary Spring dead spot continues to be a major problem for turfgrass managers in Georgia. It is one of the more difficult diseases to manage because acceptable control is usually not obtained in a single season. Selecting proper nitrogen and potassium fertilization, thatch management and soil conditioning are important cultural practices that can help in…
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UGA Department of Plant Pathology and UGA County Extension Coordinator Coweta County GA Turfgrass disease samples keep coming to our Department of Plant Pathology Plant Disease Clinics. Gray leaf spot (GLS) is showing up now, which is earlier than historically seen and a bit further north (Coweta County) than expected for this time of the…
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