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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283638
Title: Anthracnose of centipedegrass turf

Author
item TOMASO-PETERSON, MARIA - Mississippi State University
item Crouch, Jo Anne
item BALBALIAN, CLARISSA - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Applied Turfgrass Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2012
Publication Date: 11/26/2012
Citation: Tomaso-Peterson, M., Crouch, J., Balbalian, C. 2012. Anthracnose of centipedegrass turf. Applied Turfgrass Science. 9(1). DOI: 10.1094/ATS-2012-1126-01-MG

Interpretive Summary: Fungi cause significant damage to turfgrass, a commodity valued at $40 billion per year. Many different species of fungi cause diseases of turfgrass and identification of the causal fungus is essential for disease control. Research has shown that an anthracnose disease of centipede grass in the southern United States is caused by a newly described fungus that has been confused with similar fungi. This paper provides a diagnostic guide to the various fungi and diseases on centipede grass. The new fungus, several lookalike species, and the diseases they cause are described and illustrated. This research will be used by turfgrass pathologists, extension agents, and golf course managers to control diseases caused by these fungi.

Technical Abstract: Anthracnose is a destructive fungal disease of centipedegrass (Eremochloae ophiuroides) turf that occurs throughout the southern United States and China. In this diagnostic guide, we provide an overview of the causal pathogen, Colletotrichum eremochloae, along with disease symptoms and signs, host range, geographic distribution, methods for isolating and identifying the pathogen, storage of the pathogen/pest, and methods used for conducting pathogenicity tests.