Leaf Blight and Crown Rot on Creeping Bentgrass, a New Disease Caused by Drechslera catenaria. P. O. Larsen, Associate Professor, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210. A. K. Hagan, Research Associate, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210; B. G. Joyner, Plant Pathologist, Plant Diagnostic Laboratories, Worthington, OH 43085; and D. A. Spilker, Research Associate, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210. Plant Dis. 65:79-81. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-79.

A new disease on cv. Toronto creeping bentgrass in Ohio was named leaf blight and crown rot. The disease is caused by Drechslera catenaria, a fungus not previously reported on Agrostis palustris. The disease is characterized by reddish leaf lesions in early spring followed by gradual necrosis of the foliage and ultimately crown rot that leads to death of the plant. Two spring applications of the fungicide iprodione at 56.8 g (a.i.)/93 m² effectively controlled the disease on golf putting greens.

Keyword(s): Drechslera erythrospila, Helminthosporium catenarium, H. erythrospilum, red leaf spot, turfgrass.