Message Board: Pests, Weeds and Diseases: [CLOSED] Dollar spot? Or not?

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

I seem to have disease outbreak on the pitch. My first thought was Microdochium nivale/Fusarium patch but research and closer inspection had me thinking along the lines of Dollar spot. Some leaves did seem to have the hourglass lesion apparently typical of this disease. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye a lot of these diseases seem very similar.

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin Last edited 4th Jul 2009

The intention of this macro shot was to highlight a leaf with the hourglass lesion as described by Kate Entwistle in this article:

Dollar Spot Disease

However, it doesn't seem to do so. I can only surmise that the leaf in question was obscured by another whilst I was fiddling with the camera. I appreciate the difficulties of diagnosis from a photo but can anyone confirm what it is?

Also, it possible to treat without the application of fungicide? The reason for asking is that this would require the services of a contractor thus adding to some considerable expense already. I suspect I know the answer to that but when straws are all you've got to clutch at then you clutch!!!

Edit: I should point out that it was raining at the time the photos were taken.

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by Mal

Lucky you having some rain

It is difficult to give a diagnosis from a photo. In your first photo you might be forgiven for thinking that it was red thread though I know you would know the difference. In you second equally you could be forgiven for thinking it was rust so very difficult to diagnose in a photo. The affected grass in dollor spot tends to be straw coloured which yours isn't but that could be because the grass is wet?
I think your best bet is to get someone round to look at it who has experiance of of the disease.
It would be very important to get the disease right as without it you cannot alter your cultural practices to alleviate the chances of it happening again.
In the meantime it may be prudent to use a wide spectrum fungicide that would be suitable for a wide range of diseases.
Treating without the application of a fungicide - probably if it was red thread which comes about through lack of nutrients similarly as pointed out in the page you provided the link for, could be the cause of dollor spot but fusarium on the other hand would generally be on fine turf in instances of high nitrogen applications

Geography is everywhere

4th Jul 2009 by juls

I haven’t an answer for you Aladin, can but sympathise and await diagnosis as I have what looks to be the same problem. There was me hoping that this year was going to be less problematical than last.

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

Thanks Mal.

I can't see it being down to a lack of nutrient since a slow release fertiliser was applied not long ago.

I've left a message with the agronomist so, hopefully, he'll be turning up in the near future.

I suppose it's possible that there's more than one disease involved.

It never rains................................

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by has 2 mow

Hi Aladdin

I have seen a bit of outbreak of dollar spot in the last week , due to the overnight temps i have been told . but only on greens that were due for a feed before this heatwave

I am with mal it does not look straw coloured , but hey i still have my l plates. the other thing your photo shows is a yellowing of the leaf ?

Heres a photo of a green with dollar , also i did some hand watering the othernight at home and the surrounding grass all has marks on it it so i put this down to overnight humidity and wet leaves , so do you water at night

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

When I have watered the pitch it has been late afternoon/evening.

The weather in this area, though, has been such that there has been little need for irrigation.

Something I didn't mention earlier ('cos I forgot!! ) is that there have been one or two toadstools appear mainly at the edge of the pitch. These appear, to me at least, to be unrelated.

When it comes to turf diseases, Mr. mow, you may still have your 'L' plates but I have yet to receive my provisional licence!!!!

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

EUREKA!!!

I do believe I have identified my disease. Well, not my disease but you know what I mean!!

I've just been having another trawl through the Identifiers under Useful Info* and came across it. It's Leaf Spot I'm sure. I hadn't looked at that before since I was looking at those photos that showed an area of turf.

If you look at the photo you'll understand why I mistakenly believed it to be dollar spot.

Further research is now called for.

*Juls, if, as I believe, you are a relative newcomer then you'll find the identifier by going to the orange nav bar at the top.

Click on Magazine>Useful Info>Identifiers

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by gavin green

Hello Aladdin,

I seem to have the same problem but only on areas where we have sprayed for weeds. At first I put it down to weed killing while turf was under stress from the heat, so i stopped spraying and the problem has got no worse but a little better. Could you let me know if you have weed killed or not.
THANKS
GAV

4th Jul 2009 by has 2 mow

Aladdin

Google bio polaris it may be of some use .

Anyway the barbys lit and the beers are ready , have a good weekend

Has2mow

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

No, Mr. green, no weedkilling as yet. Our renovations only took place in late May and I believe, though I stand to be corrected, that the transition from Summer to Autumn is about the best time to spray.

It would seem that I am at fault, however, due to a failure to brush the sward daily.

More info is in this article by Mr. Gale:

Facts about Leaf Spot and Melting Out disease

From the posh end of the room!!

4th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

Beer!! MMmmm

From the posh end of the room!!

5th Jul 2009 by juls

Aladdin

Been virtually a daily reader of message board for over a year now, posted a few, given my 2 pennith worth on even less. Some how never picked up on the Ident section, so thank you.

Keep the advice flowing every one, I personally am very grateful and have learnt masses

5th Jul 2009 by Aladdin

Have a good look round the site, juls. There's loads of info available but some of it, as you have discovered, is not that obvious.

From the posh end of the room!!

6th Jul 2009 by Frank Hansen

If I look at the first picture I immediately think of red thread disease. If this is the case, then not much to do or worry about right now, but ensure proper N fertilization.

Refrain from picking up lost balls until they have stopped rolling.

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