ABSTRACT
Although one can divide turfgrasses into cool- and warm-season types based on plant physiology and even designate the areas of the country where each should be grown, it is people who determine the grass grown in any particular landscape. Selection of turfgrass species and cultivars should be based on the geographical location and on how the turf will be used and maintained. Selections that are not suited for a particular area will be continually stressed and more susceptible to diseases. Physical and chemical soil properties may not affect disease development directly, but they do affect turfgrass health. Soil pH is an important factor for growth of warm-season turfgrasses. Except for St. Augustinegrass decline, caused by the Panicum mosaic virus, diseases of warm-season turfgrasses are caused by fungi. Biological control of turfgrass diseases is a new area of disease management that is still in the experimental research phase for warm-season turfgrasses.
