Scientific name
Leptosphaerulina spp.
Common Names
Leptosphaerulina Leaf Blight
Leptosphaerulina Leaf Blight is a fungal disease that primarily affects cool-season turfgrasses, including bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, fescues and Kentucky bluegrass. It develops during warm, humid weather when turf is under stress from drought, low mowing heights, compaction or herbicide applications. Symptoms begin as yellow to brown lesions near the leaf tips, progressing into bleached or straw-coloured leaves that can cause patchy or widespread blighting.
Similar Diseases
- Ascochyta Leaf Blight (Ascochyta spp.)
- Leaf Spot (Bipolaris, Drechslera and Exserohilum spp.)
- Dollar Spot (Clarireedia spp.)
- Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani)
SCENARIOS AND SOLUTIONS
At the first signs of leaf tip blighting: Apply ProForce Tombstone Duo Fungicide to suppress disease development and protect healthy turf.
On golf greens and sports fields during warm, humid conditions: Apply ProForce Tombstone Duo Fungicide preventatively before periods of prolonged leaf wetness.
In turf stressed by drought, close mowing or compaction: Reduce turf stress and rotate ProForce Regiment 550EC with ProForce Tombstone Duo Fungicide as part of a resistance management program.
In newly established or recovering turf: Improve irrigation practices, avoid mowing wet grass, and apply ProForce Tombstone Duo Fungicide where disease pressure is high.
References
https://stratagreen.com.au/blogs/fungi-diseases/leptosphaerulina-leaf-blight
https://www.lawnaddicts.com.au/resource/leptosphaerulina-leaf-blight
https://greenwayturfsolutions.com/products_rec/leptosphaerulina-leaf-blight/
https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/turf/fact-sheets/leaf-spot-diseases-of-turf
Leptosphaerulina Leaf Blight photo courtesy of Will Bowden
