Control of Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) in Seashore Paspalum

Summary

Seashore paspalum is growing in use and popularity as golf course greens, fairways, sport fields and landscapes due to its outstanding characteristic to tolerate saline soils and water. Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoecarpa is one of the major fungal diseases impacting turf quality of S. paspalum cultivars. There are few chemical options for dollar spot control of S. paspalum. The efficacy of several fungicides against S. homoeocarpa on S. paspalum was evaluated with the objective of developing chemical options of control. Boscalid (Emerald), propiconazole (Banner Maxx), triticonazole (Trinity), propiconazole + azoxystrobin (Headway), triticonazole + pyraclostrobin (Honor) and vinclozolin (Curalan) were evaluated and found to be highly efficacious against dollar spot in S. paspalum. Recent results indicate that chlorothalonil + acibenzolar (Daconil Action) fluazinam (Secure) were also efficacious in controlling the disease. Results obtained in these investigations provide turfgrass managers with new disease management tools, improved disease control, and better turf quality

Situation

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) grass is increasingly used on golf course greens, fairways, sport fields and landscapes due to its ability to tolerate saline soils and water. The grass has an intermediate to fine leaf texture, an attractive dark green color, good density, and good tolerance to low mowing. S. paspalum is considered to be the most salt tolerant, warm-season turfgrass species and also holds promise for reclamation and soil stabilization of unmanaged salt-affected sites. The University of Georgia S. paspalum breeding program is now recognized as a major contributor to the recent success of S. paspalum as a turfgrass species. Thus far, this program has released five cultivars: “SeaIsle 1”, “SeaIsle 2000”, “Supreme”, “SeaStar” and “SeaSpray”. This relatively new turfgrass is best adapted to coastal areas of the tropics and sub-tropics but is now being commonly used in more inland areas. However, in these areas fungal diseases may be a significant problem. Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoecarpa is one of the major fungal diseases impacting turf quality of S. paspalum cultivars. Chemical disease management options for dollar spot control of S. paspalum have not been well defined.

Response

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) grass is increasingly used on golf course greens, fairways, sport fields and landscapes due to its ability to tolerate saline soils and water. The grass has an intermediate to fine leaf texture, an attractive dark green color, good density, and good tolerance to low mowing. S. paspalum is considered to be the most salt tolerant, warm-season turfgrass species and also holds promise for reclamation and soil stabilization of unmanaged salt-affected sites. The University of Georgia S. paspalum breeding program is now recognized as a major contributor to the recent success of S. paspalum as a turfgrass species. Thus far, this program has released five cultivars: “SeaIsle 1”, “SeaIsle 2000”, “Supreme”, “SeaStar” and “SeaSpray”. This relatively new turfgrass is best adapted to coastal areas of the tropics and sub-tropics but is now being commonly used in more inland areas. However, in these areas fungal diseases may be a significant problem. Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoecarpa is one of the major fungal diseases impacting turf quality of S. paspalum cultivars. Chemical disease management options for dollar spot control of S. paspalum have not been well defined.

Impact

Results obtained in these investigations provide turfgrass managers with new disease management tools, improved disease control, and better turf quality. Boscalid (Emerald), propiconazole (Banner Maxx), triticonazole (Trinity), propiconazole + azoxystrobin (Headway), triticonazole + pyraclostrobin (Honor) and vinclozolin (Curalan) were found to be highly efficacious against dollar spot in S. paspalum. The results were corroborated over three years of trials. More recently, results indicate that chlorothalonil + acibenzolar (Daconil Action) and fluazinam (Secure) were also efficacious in controlling the disease.

State Issue

Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Details

• Year: 2013
• Geographic Scope: National
• County: Spalding
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources