ABSTRACT
Management of turfgrass diseases is one of the most difficult challenges that turf managers routinely experience in the production and maintenance of high-quality turf in golf courses, landscapes, sod production, and athletic fields. An effective disease management program involves significant efforts and costs especially in the golf course industry. Traditionally, the turfgrass industry has been heavily dependent on fungicides as the primary means of disease control. Although most fungicides labeled for selected diseases usually provide satisfactory controls for a number of diseases, this often does not offer all the solutions for disease management. Application of certain fungicides can often result in new sets of problems in the development of disease control strategies. Some of the most undesired effects of fungicide applications are development of resistance in the pathogen population, nontarget effects of the particular compound used, and the phytotoxicity. While use of fungicides remains a significant component of a turfgrass health management system, there is a growing trend in the turfgrass industry towards promoting environmental stewardship. Significant advances have been made in the golf course industry in the development of educational programs for turf managers that entail the adaptation of various principles and practices in integrated turfgrass disease management.
