Golfdom, February 2019

Throssell Ph D The most common fungal species that cause spring dead spot are Ophiosphaerella korrae and O herpotricha Both are active in fall and infect roots rhizomes and stolons when soil temperature is 50 degrees to 70 degrees F year after year becoming more severe if superintendents dont attempt control measures If you observe spring dead spot damage make a concerted effort to photograph and map the damaged areas at spring green up Spring dead spot often is more severe where an additional stressor is present Try to link spring dead spot damaged areas with suspected stresses at that location and take steps during the 2019 growing season to alleviate the suspected stresses Spring dead spot will be back in 2020 at the same locations it damaged in 2019 Therefore treat only the areas damaged in spring 2019 when making a fungicide application in fall 2019 Careful observation and mapping of spring dead spot damage in spring can save time and money in fall Controlling spring dead spot with fungicides can be inconsistent If fungicides are going to be applied preventive applications in fall when soil temperature is 60 degrees to 80 degrees F have been shown to be the most effective strategy to control spring dead spot In situations where spring dead spot has been severe two fungicide applications in fall may be worth a try The fungicide applications should be several weeks apart but both applications need to be made when soil temperatures are 60 degrees to 80 degrees F Concentrate on growing healthy bermudagrass yearround Proper aeration verticutting topdressing and a sound fertility program are essential for managing spring dead spot Avoid fertilizing with nitrogen 45 days prior to expected dormancy to give the bermudagrass plenty of time to harden off prior to winter G References Butler L 2017 Spring dead spot in turf North Carolina State University Extension https content ces ncsu edu spring dead spot in turf Latin R 2016 Spring dead spot Purdue University Extension BP 120 W https www extension purdue edu extmedia BP BP 120 W pdf Clark Throssell Ph D loves to talk turf Contact him at clarkthrossell@ bresnan net February 2019 Golfdom 41 Golfdom com