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Research Updates from UMD
Fungicide Trials Update – Turfgrass Pathology Program
By Fereshteh Shahoveisi
IN2023, our team conducted several fungicide and nematicide trials at the UMD Paint Branch Research Facility to evaluate their efficacy against various turfgrass diseases and nematodes. The trials were mainly focused on:
• Brown patch and dollar spot affecting fairway and green height creeping bentgrass.
• Brown patch on home lawn tall fescue.
• Gray leaf spot on perennial ryegrass.
• Nematicide trials on bermudagrass and perennial ryegrass.
Preliminary findings from these experiments were presented at our Field Day in July. Currently, we are concluding the studies and analyzing the data. For the trials with registered fungicides, reports detailing our observations and results will be made available on our program’s website (https://sites.google.com/view/umdturfgrasspathology).
In terms of disease progress in the season, May and early June were relatively drier and cooler than the usual averages for the season. This led to a delayed onset of diseases at the farm. However, as summer progressed, the typical weather patterns prevailed, leading to elevated disease pressure. Most diseases, including the brown patch and dollar spot, peaked during this period. By mid to late September, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of most diseases.
dollar spot on green height creeping bentgrass
Example of 2023 fungicide trials: gray leaf spot on perennial ryegrass
