Biology and Integrated Management of Turfgrass Diseases

Book excerpt: Cultivated turfgrass is an assemblage of mown, perennial grasses or prostrate-growing forb plants and a suite of microbes all competing with each other in a common environment. This book approaches turfgrass diseases from an ecological perspective and explains with examples how wild plants and microbes have co-evolved. It addresses the identification, biology and integrated management of both common turfgrass diseases and newly emergent diseases. It includes the common and lesser-known turfgrass species, their surrounding environment and the range of beneficial and pathogenic microbes which in combination explain why disease occurs. For disease identification purposes, fungal diseases are arranged according to their predominantly cool season and warm season occurrence. Turfgrass bacterial and viral diseases, and plant parasitic nematodes are also covered. Written by a team of international authors, it combines technical expertise and practical experience. Essential for anyone involved in managing turfgrass, this book provides the know-how to identify the early warning signs of diseases, in order to manipulate the environment and minimise the damage.