Dollar Spot
Dollar spot
Photo courtesy of North Carolina State University
The fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa causes dollar spot. It commonly affects certain varieties of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues. It most commonly occurs at the start of summer, but can occur during spring and late summer months.
Signs and Symptoms:
Dollar spot causes circular patches of bleached turf that are one to four inches in diameter. Leaf lesions that are light tan with reddish-brown borders occur and may girdle the leaf blade. White, cobweb-like fungal growth may be visible when dew is present in the early morning hours.
Favorable Conditions:
Humid conditions with temperatures between sixty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit favor this disease.
Cultural Prevention and Control:
By maintaining adequate nitrogen levels, the occurrence of this disease is greatly reduced. Normally, this problem will reoccur annually on susceptible varieties of turfgrass.