Troublesome and Emerging Turf Diseases of Golf Course Greens Maintained on Constructed Rootzones

Abstract

Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), Waitea patch (Waitea circinata var. circinata) and fairy ring (many basidiomycete sp.) are considered some of the most common, persistent and troublesome diseases of golf course turf. Golf course superintendents employ cultural practices (i.e., mowing, fertilization/plant nutrition, irrigation/soil moisture management, selection of improved turfgrass cultivars, topdressing practices, core cultivation practices, soil amendment practices, dew removal and other practices), fungicide products, soil surfactants and other strategies to manage turfgrass diseases on golf course greens. Recent attention to an overall plant and soil health approach has warranted research into improving turfgrass disease management programs for golf course greens. This presentation provides a contemporary review of these three complex diseases (i.e., dollar spot, Waitea patch and fairy ring) of golf course turf, and the various strategies and practices used to manage these diseases, with particular emphasis on greens with constructed rootzones.