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Crown Rot Anthracnose — Colletotrichum cereale
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
© 2012 MSU Plant Pathology
Anthracnose can occur as both a foliar infecting and crown infecting disease. Crown or basal rot anthracnose attacks the crowns of grass plants, unlike the more common anthracnose, which primarily attacks the foliage. Symptoms first appear as bronze-yellow spots in the turf, usually about the size of a dime. Spots can become larger if disease persist forming irregular shaped areas of affected turf. Examination of infected plants reveals darkened “rotted” crowns. Pepper-like acervuli can often be seen on stems and crowns of infected plants.
The disease occurs primarily on annual bluegrass throughout most of the world. However it has been reported to be a widespread problem on creeping bentgrass in the eastern and southeastern United States. It is most noticeable on putting green-height mowed turf, and appears to be most severe on greens with compaction problems or poor internal drainage. The disease usually appears following excessive rainfall or irrigation events, and can occur throughout the growing season in both cool and warm temperatures.
Anthracnose can occur as both a foliar infecting and crown infecting disease. Crown or basal rot anthracnose attacks the crowns of grass plants, unlike the more common anthracnose, which primarily attacks the foliage. Symptoms first appear as bronze-yellow spots in the turf, usually about the size of a dime. Spots can become larger if disease persist forming irregular shaped areas of affected turf. Examination of infected plants reveals darkened “rotted” crowns. Pepper-like acervuli can often be seen on stems and crowns of infected plants.
The disease occurs primarily on annual bluegrass throughout most of the world. However it has been reported to be a widespread problem on creeping bentgrass in the eastern and southeastern United States. It is most noticeable on putting green-height mowed turf, and appears to be most severe on greens with compaction problems or poor internal drainage. The disease usually appears following excessive rainfall or irrigation events, and can occur throughout the growing season in both cool and warm temperatures.
Also Known As...
anthracnose, basal rot anthracnose- Location:
» Golf Course
- General Symptoms:
» Circle, Spot, Wilted, Irregular
- Foliar Symptoms:
» Spots, Yellow, Brown, Orange
- Time of Year:
» Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Irrigated:
» Yes, No
- Hosts:
» Kentucky Bluegrass, Creeping Bentgrass, Annual Bluegrass
Raising the mowing height helps to reduce the severity of disease in some cases. Using irrigation syringe cycles or light hand syringings during the day and avoiding deep nighttime irrigation can reduce the incidence of crown rot anthracnose. Improving the internal drainage and eliminating compaction in a putting green will also reduced the severity of disease. No known resistant cultivars of creeping bentgrass or annual bluegrass.
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- Chemical Control of Turfgrass Diseases 2011
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Turfgrass hosts include, but are not limited to: Annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass.
