Leptosphaeria korrae, a Cause of the Spring Dead Spot Disease of Bermudagrass in California. R. M. Endo, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside 92521. H. D. Ohr, Extension Plant Pathologist, and E. M. Krausman, Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside 92521. Plant Dis. 69:235-237. Accepted for publication 10 September 1984. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-235.

During the past 5 yr, spring dead spot has become the most destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) in California. Symptoms of the disease and signs of the fungus on roots, stolons, and culm bases are described. Leptosphaeria korrae was shown to be one cause of the disease. Three sterile, dematiaceous fungi resembling Leptosphaeria spp. caused similar symptoms. L. korrae caused greater damage to Tifgreen bermudagrass plants grown at 13 than at 24 C.