Susceptibility of St. Augustinegrass Germ Plasm to Pyricularia grisea. R. A. Atilano, Assistant Professor, University of Florida Agricultural Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale 33314. P. Busey, Associate Professor, University of Florida Agricultural Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale 33314. Plant Dis. 67:782-783. Accepted for publication 14 December 1982. Copyright 1983 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-782.

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) was evaluated in field plots and pots for susceptibility to Pyricularia grisea, the causal organism of gray leaf spot. In the presence of repeated natural infestations, disease severity was moderately consistent (r = 0.41–0.73) among genotypes. High susceptibility was localized in blue-green triploid genotypes such as cultivars Bitterblue and Floratine and in certain collections from the U.S. Gulf Coast. Roselawn and two African introductions of S. dimidiatum were highly resistant.

Keyword(s): breeding, turfgrass.