Lawn Care Tips
Off-the-Shelf
Leaf Spot Management in Bermudagrass
By Maria Tomaso-Peterson, Ph.D., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University
Photo 1 Leaf spot symptoms in a bermudagrass home lawn (left). Purplish-brown leaf lesions can be observed on infected bermudagrass leaves (right). (Photo courtesy of A. Windham, University of Tennessee).
B
ermudagrass (hybrid or common) is an excellent choice for home lawn use in the southern United States. When grown under full sun and ideal management practices, bermudagrass forms a dense and lush green sod that holds up well to outdoor activities and foot traffic. Bermudagrass is durable and can grow with minimal inputs, if necessary. When grown under lessthan-optimal conditions, however, bermudagrass may become susceptible to diseases.
Leaf spot 101
Photo 2 Widespread distribution of leaf spot in a bermudagrass home lawn. The random, light-brown areas within the bermudagrass are due to leaf spot.
18 • Mississippi Turfgrass • Spring 2015
Leaf spot is a common disease of bermudagrass home lawns, as well as other uses (e.g., golf course, athletic fields). This disease affects the foliar portion of the plant but can also spread to stems, stolons and roots. The leaf symptoms are not noticeable until the plant becomes stressed and/or environmental conditions are favorable for disease development. As disease progression occurs, bermudagrass leaves become blighted, and the lawn will appear drought-stressed. Because of this drought-stressed appearance, additional irrigation is often applied, but this will only increase disease activity. Leaf spot is caused by the fungus Bipolaris cynodontis, which becomes active in the spring when bermudagrass transitions out of winter dormancy. Leaf spot symptoms may be observed on leaves and stems of bermudagrass, as small, elliptical, pin-point spots (lesions) that are dark purplish-brown. The older leaves of the plant become infected first, with a progression of