Dollar Fungus: A Common Turfgrass Disease and How to Treat It

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If you’re a turfgrass owner, you may have encountered dollar fungus—a fungal disease that can cause significant damage if left untreated. This disease is caused by the pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa and is characterized by small, round, bleached to straw-colored spots on your lawn.

To maintain a healthy lawn, it’s essential to understand the causes and symptoms of dollar fungus and follow appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.

Factors like poor soil nutrition, improper watering, compacted soil, humidity, and temperature can contribute to dollar fungus. To prevent it from developing, ensure that you’re providing your lawn with proper soil nutrition and watering.

And if you suspect that your lawn has dollar fungus, be sure to follow appropriate treatment options such as fungicides to restore your lawn to a healthy state.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the causes and symptoms of dollar fungus is crucial to maintaining a healthy lawn.
• Prevention strategies such as proper watering and soil nutrition can help prevent dollar fungus from developing.
• Treatment options such as fungicides can effectively treat dollar fungus and restore your lawn to a healthy state.

Understanding Dollar Fungus That Affects Turfgrass

If you’re a homeowner or golf course manager, you may have heard of dollar spot, a common fungal disease that affects turfgrass, particularly high-maintenance ones like golf courses.

Dollar spot is caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa and can affect various grasses, including creeping bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and zoysia grass. It is characterized by small, round, bleached spots that can range from 2 to 5 inches in diameter.

Dollar spot thrives in moist, humid environments and is more likely to develop in stressed turfgrass. To prevent it, ensure proper watering, drainage, and nutrient supply, mow your lawn regularly at the correct height, and consider applying fungicides.

If you notice signs of dollar spot, act promptly by applying fungicides and removing diseased grass to prevent the disease’s spread. Understanding dollar spot is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn or golf course.

Causes of Dollar Fungus in Turfgrass

If you are experiencing dollar fungus in your lawn, it’s important to understand its causes. Dollar fungus is caused by the pathogen Clarireedia jacksonii, which mainly targets creeping bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and zoysia grass, but can also affect other types of grasses.

One of the main causes of dollar fungus is high humidity and moisture in the soil. This fungus thrives in damp conditions, so if your lawn is frequently wet or receives a lot of rainfall, it may be more susceptible to dollar fungus. Poor drainage and overwatering can also contribute to the growth of this fungus.

Low nitrogen levels in the soil can also contribute to the development of dollar fungus. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for healthy grass growth, and a lack of nitrogen can weaken the grass and make it more vulnerable to diseases like dollar fungus.

Mowing your lawn too short can also contribute to the growth of dollar fungus. When the grass is cut too short, it can become stressed and weakened, making it more susceptible to fungal diseases. To prevent dollar fungus from developing in your lawn, it’s important to maintain good lawn care practices.

This includes regular fertilization to ensure adequate nitrogen levels, proper watering to avoid overwatering and promote good drainage, and mowing your lawn at the proper height to avoid stress and weaken grass.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Dollar Fungus

If you notice small patches of discolored turf on your lawn, it could be a sign of dollar fungus. This section will discuss the visual symptoms and confirmatory tests to diagnose dollar fungus.

Visual Symptoms

The most common symptom of dollar fungus is small, circular patches of discolored turf. These patches can range in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter.

The patches may start out small and gradually expand over time. The affected turf may appear bleached or straw-colored, and the blades may have a thin, web-like growth on them. The patches usually have a distinct margin that is reddish-brown in color.

Confirmatory Tests

If you suspect that your lawn has been affected by dollar fungus, there are several confirmatory tests that you can perform. One of the most common tests is the “pull test.” To perform this test, gently tug on the affected turf.

If it easily pulls away from the soil, it may be a sign of dollar fungus. Another test is the “leaf examination.” To perform this test, examine the blades of grass under a microscope. If you see small, round, brown spots on the blades, it may be a sign of dollar fungus.

In addition to these tests, you can also send a sample of your turf to a diagnostic lab for analysis. A lab technician can examine the sample and confirm whether or not your lawn has been affected by dollar fungus.

Early detection is key when it comes to treating dollar fungus. If you suspect that your lawn has been affected, be sure to take action as soon as possible to prevent the fungus from spreading.

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Prevention Strategies for Dollar Fungus

To keep your lawn healthy and free from dollar spot fungus, you can implement cultural practices and chemical control.

Cultural Practices

Cultural practices are the first line of defense against dollar spot fungus. Proper irrigation, fertilization, mowing, aeration, topdressing, and dew removal are all important cultural practices to prevent dollar spot fungus.

• Proper irrigation: Water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Avoid watering in the evening, as this can promote fungal growth. Instead, water in the early morning so that the grass has time to dry before nightfall.
• Fertilization: Fertilize your lawn regularly to promote healthy growth. A healthy lawn is less susceptible to fungal infections.
• Mowing: Keep your lawn at the proper height for your grass species. Mowing too short can stress the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.
• Aeration: Aerating your lawn can help improve soil drainage and reduce humidity levels, which can help prevent fungal growth.
• Topdressing: Topdressing your lawn with compost can help improve soil health and reduce the risk of fungal infections.
• Dew removal: Remove dew from your lawn in the morning to reduce humidity levels and prevent fungal growth.

Chemical Control

If cultural practices are not enough to prevent dollar spot fungus, chemical control may be necessary. Fungicides can be effective at controlling the disease, but they should be used as a last resort. Overuse of fungicides can lead to resistance and environmental damage.

When using fungicides, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Apply the fungicide at the recommended rate and time, and rotate between different fungicides to prevent resistance development.

By implementing these prevention strategies, you can help keep your lawn healthy and free from dollar spot fungus.

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Treatment Options for Dollar Fungus

If you have identified dollar fungus on your turfgrass, it’s crucial to take appropriate action to prevent the disease from spreading and causing further damage.

Fortunately, there are two main treatment options available to you: organic treatments and commercial fungicides.

Organic Treatments

If you prefer to use organic treatments, there are several options available to you. One effective method is to increase the nitrogen content of your soil.

Dollar fungus tends to thrive in nitrogen-deficient soil, so adding nitrogen can help prevent the disease from spreading. You can add nitrogen to your soil by applying organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure.

Another organic treatment option is to use baking soda. Baking soda can help prevent the spread of dollar fungus by changing the pH level of the soil.

To use baking soda, mix 4 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 gallon of water and spray the mixture onto your lawn. Be sure to apply the mixture evenly and avoid spraying it on hot, sunny days.

Commercial Fungicides

If you prefer to use commercial fungicides, there are several options available to you. One popular fungicide for dollar fungus is propiconazole. Propiconazole is a systemic fungicide that is absorbed by the plant and helps prevent the spread of the disease. Other effective fungicides for dollar fungus include azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil.

When using commercial fungicides, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Be sure to wear protective clothing and avoid spraying the fungicide on hot, sunny days. It’s also important to note that some fungicides can harm beneficial insects and microorganisms, so use them sparingly and only when necessary.

Overall, the best way to prevent dollar fungus from spreading is to maintain a healthy lawn. This includes proper watering, fertilization, and mowing. By taking good care of your lawn, you can help prevent the spread of dollar fungus and other lawn diseases.

Maintaining a Healthy Lawn Post-Treatment

After treating your lawn for dollar spot fungus, it’s essential to maintain a healthy lawn to prevent future outbreaks. Here are some tips to keep your lawn healthy:

Mowing

Mowing your lawn regularly at the recommended height for your grass type helps keep it healthy and free from disease. Avoid mowing your lawn too short, as this can stress the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.

Watering

Water your lawn deeply and infrequently instead of shallow and frequently. This encourages the grass roots to grow deeper, making them more resistant to disease.

Water your lawn in the morning, as this gives the grass time to dry before nightfall. Wet grass at night can lead to disease.

Fertilizing

Fertilize your lawn with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive growth, which can make the grass more susceptible to disease. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and timing.

Aeration

Aerating your lawn improves soil drainage and air circulation, preventing water from pooling on the surface, which can lead to disease. Aeration also reduces soil compaction, making it easier for the grass roots to grow.

Reseeding

Reseed bare or thin areas of your lawn to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. Choose a grass type that is resistant to dollar spot fungus, such as tall fescue or perennial ryegrass.

By following these tips, you can maintain a healthy lawn post-treatment and prevent future outbreaks of dollar spot fungus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

To keep your turfgrass healthy and disease-free, it’s important to follow proper cultural practices such as mowing, irrigation, fertilization, aeration, and soil testing. Early detection and proper application of fungicides can also help manage dollar fungus. Keeping records of your lawn care practices and fungicide use can help you track the effectiveness of your management practices.

Innovative approaches such as applying cayenne pepper to your lawn or using natural weed killers like the boiling water and salt method can also help keep your lawn healthy and free of diseases.

Remember to always follow best practices for eliminating excessive grass clippings and grass clipping disposal to prevent the development of diseases. By following these guidelines, you can maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn.

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