Dollar Spot Likes the Current Conditions
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June 21, 2016
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Dollar spot likes warm daytime temperatures in the 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 60's, along with high humidity or moisture. With warm weather and scattered showers predicted the disease should increaes in severity. Dollar spot is serious problem on annual bluegrass, and creeping bentgrass turf through the fall. The pathogen, Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, actively grows and infects when temperatures are between 60 and 86 F. White mycelium is often present in the mornings when dew is present. With morning fog becoming more frequent, this will only increase the severity and activity of dollar spot. Cultural practices for reducing the conditions favorable for this disease include reducing the leaf wetting period. Prolonged periods of wetness when temperatures are favorable are conducive for disease symptoms. Practices to reduce the wetting period include dew removal through a light morning syringe or whipping or dragging the turf. In addition, rolling appears to reduce the severity of dollar spot significantly. Fall fertilization should help reduce the severity of dollar spot.