Anthracnose of Annual Bluegrass Turf on Golf Courses
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Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online ...Using Science to Benefit Golf Scientists within the NE-1025 multi-state turf research project are studying the biol- ogy, ecology, and management of anthracnose of annual bluegrass turf on golf courses. Results from these experiments will be used to devise a comprehensive set of best management practices for the control of anthracnose disease on golf courses. Volume 7, Number 16 August 15, 2008 PURPOSE The purpose of USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online is to effectively communicate the results of research projects funded under USGA’s Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program to all who can benefit from such knowledge. Since 1983, the USGA has funded more than 450 projects at a cost of $29 million. The pri- vate, non-profit research program provides funding opportunities to university faculty interested in working on envi- ronmental and turf management problems affecting golf courses. The outstanding playing conditions of today’s golf courses are a direct result of using science to benefit golf. Editor Research Director Jeff Nus, Ph.D. Michael P. Kenna, Ph.D. 1032 Rogers Place P.O. Box 2227 Lawrence, KS 66049 Stillwater, OK 74076 [email protected] [email protected] (785) 832-2300 (405) 743-3900 (785) 832-9265 (fax) (405) 743-3910 (fax) USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Committee Steve Smyers, Chairman Julie Dionne, Ph.D. Ron Dodson Kimberly Erusha, Ph.D. Ali Harivandi, Ph.D. Michael P. Kenna, Ph.D. Jeff Krans, Ph.D. Brigid Shamley Lamb James Moore Jeff Nus, Ph.D. Paul Rieke, Ph.D. James T. Snow Clark Throssell, Ph.D. Ned Tisserat, Ph.D. Scott Warnke, Ph.D. James Watson, Ph.D. Chris Williamson, Ph.D. Permission to reproduce articles or material in the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online (ISSN 1541-0277) is granted to newspapers, periodicals, and educational institutions (unless specifically noted otherwise). 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Best Management Practices for Anthracnose on Annual Bluegrass Turf James Murphy, Frank Wong, Lane Tredway, Jo Anne Crouch, John Inguagiato, Bruce Clarke, Tom Hsiang, and Frank Rossi Anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum SUMMARY cereale) is a destructive fungal disease of weak- Scientists within the NE-1025 multi-state turf research ened turf that occurs throughout the United States, project are studying the biology, ecology, and management Canada, and Western Europe (15) and is particu- of anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum cereale) of annu- larly severe on annual bluegrass (Poa annua). al bluegrass turf. They are examining the biology of the The frequency and severity of anthracnose epi- pathogen, assessing fungicidal control and fungicide resist- ance development, evaluating the effect of cultural prac- phytotics on golf course putting greens has tices on anthracnose severity, and developing annual blue- increased over the past decade (13, 14) and is grass and bentgrass selections for resistance to this disease. thought to be associated with some of the man- The paper’s points include: agement practices used by superintendents to The frequency and severity of anthracnose epiphytotics improve playability (ball roll). It is possible that on golf course putting greens has increased over the past decade and is thought to be associated with some of the combinations of management factors may be management practices used by superintendents to improve enhancing the severity of this disease. playability (ball roll). Scientists within the NE-1025 multi-state Besides annual bluegrass, outbreaks are also increasing- turf research project are studying the biology, ly common on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) ecology, and management of anthracnose of annu- and may develop on other cool-season turf species includ- al bluegrass turf on golf courses. They are exam- ing ryegrasses (Lolium spp.), fescues (Festuca spp.), Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis), and velvet bentgrass (A. ining the biology of the pathogen, assessing fun- canina). gicidal control and fungicide resistance develop- It is recommended that golf course superintendents ini- ment, evaluating the effect of cultural practices on tiate a preventive fungicide program at least one month anthracnose severity, and developing annual blue- prior to the normal onset of anthracnose in their area. Of grass and bentgrass selections for resistance to the eight chemistries available for anthracnose control, only the benzimidazole, DMI (demethylation inhibitors), and this disease. QoI (strobilurins)classes have significant curative activity. Resistance has developed in anthracnose to site-specific fungicide classes including the QoIs, benzimidazoles, and DMI fungicides. Best management practices for the control of anthrac- nose disease on annual bluegrass putting green turf include implementing a frequent low N-rate fertility program initi- ated in late spring and continuing through summer. JAMES MURPHY, Ph.D., Associate Extension Specialist, Dept. of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; FRANK WONG, Ph.D., Asst. Plant Pathologist, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA; LANE TREDWAY, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Dept. of Plant Pathology, N. C. State University, Raleigh, NC; JO ANNE CROUCH, Graduate Student, JOHN INGUAGIATO, Graduate Student, BRUCE CLARKE, Ph.D., Director, Center for Turfgrass Science, Dept. of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; TOM On annual bluegrass, symptoms of anthracnose first HSIANG, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Environmental Biology, appear as orange to yellow colored spots that range Univesity of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and FRANK from 0.25 to 0.5 inches in diameter. (Photo courtesy of ROSSI, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticulture, Cornell Bruce Clarke) University, Ithaca, NY. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online 7(16):1-16. TGIF Record Number: 138429 1 Completed and ongoing field trials within al bluegrass maintained at a putting green height this five-year project (2005-2010) have evaluated of cut. Outbreaks are also increasingly common registered and experimental fungicides, fungicide on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and programs, and annual bluegrass management may develop on other cool-season turf species practices including nitrogen fertility, chemical including ryegrasses (Lolium spp.), fescues growth regulation, mowing, rolling, topdressing, (Festuca spp.), Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis), verticutting, and irrigation, as well as the potential and velvet bentgrass (A. canina). Although the for some practices to interact. Ultimately, results disease is often most severe during warm weather, from these experiments will be used to devise a outbreaks may occur throughout the year causing comprehensive set of best management practices either a foliar blight or a basal rot of leaf sheaths, for the control of anthracnose disease on golf crowns, and stolons (15). Anthracnose is often courses. present on turf mowed at a higher height without producing severe damage, which suggests that Host Susceptibility plant health (vigor and stress) is a major factor that determines disease severity. The disease can Anthracnose can be found on cool- and cause extensive injury on turf maintained at low warm-season turf in roughs, fairways, and tees, fertility or turf grown under suboptimal conditions but often the disease is most destructive on annu- (drought stress, excess shade, high humidity). In close-cut turf, the lower stems may become affected resulting in water-soaked, blackened tissue that is easily pulled from infected crowns. (Photo courtesy of John Inguagiato) 2 The greater susceptibility of annual blue- name as the fungus that causes anthracnose dis- grass to anthracnose is probably related to a num- ease in corn, Colletotrichum graminicola G.W. ber of factors including the weak perennial nature Wils, because the pathogens so closely resemble of this grass species. Annual bluegrass is well one another. Recent DNA fingerprinting studies, known for its prolific seedhead (flowering) however, indicate that the pathogen responsible expression that predominantly occurs in the spring for anthracnose in cool-season turf, while closely (April through early June). Seedhead develop- related to the corn pathogen, is a distinct fungal ment requires considerable metabolic energy, species, C. cereale Manns (5). This same fungus which re-allocates photosynthate away from roots has been found across North America colonizing and shoots toward seedheads just before the most numerous cool-season grasses in field crops, stressful the time of growing season. Summer prairies, residential lawns, ornamental grasses, stress tolerance has been associated with and other environments (4, 5). Outside of the golf increased root depth and number. Thus, the re- course environment, it appears that C. cereale allocation of photosynthate away from roots and rarely induces disease because the fungus can col- crowns probably weakens annual bluegrass and onize other host plants without causing visible increases its susceptibility to anthracnose. damage. Breeding for improved