ABSTRACT
Most turfgrass diseases are caused by pathogenic fungi that invade leaves, stems, and roots of plants. This chapter describes the most common fungal diseases of turfgrasses, as well as plant parasitic nematodes, and outlines cultural and chemical approaches to their management. It provides a more complete list of turfgrass diseases, hosts, and pathogens. Many of the fungi that cause leaf spotting and melting-out diseases of turfgrasses were once assigned to the genus Helminthosporium. Brown patch, also known as Rhizoctonia blight, is caused by Rhizoctonia solani and it is a common, summertime disease of turfgrasses. Summer patch is a destructive disease of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue, and annual.blue-grass turf and is incited by Magnaporthe poae. Nematodes may be more troublesome in the transition zone and Mid-Atlantic area than is commonly believed. Because nematodes only may be injurious in northern regions during summer stress periods, cultural practices that alleviate stress may help minimize injury.
