What is Dollar Spot?
Dollar spot is a common foliar disease caused by the fungus Clarireedia Jacksonii that affects a wide variety of lawn types.
Signs of Dollar Spot
Knowing the signs and symptoms of dollar spot allows you to take corrective measures to restore your turf at the first sign of infection. Dollar spot can be characterized by small, circular dots roughly the size of a silver dollar, hence the disease’s name. The lesions initially present as yellow-green spots and later deepen to a straw-colored lesion with a reddish-brown margin. The lesions can be anywhere between half an inch to six inches in diameter, depending on the height of the grass stalk. The infection expands outward, with the smaller areas merging to form larger patches of diseased turf. Treating these infected patches of turf can help prevent the entirety of your lawn from being overtaken by the disease.
Dollar Spot Development
Dollar spot thrives when humidity and temperature levels are high. According to N.C State University, the disease begins to infect turf in the spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit, however, turf blades may not begin displaying signs of infection until later in the season. Disease activity persists throughout the summer but begins to slow its spread as temperatures continuously exceed 90 degrees. Dollar spot requires continuous periods of leaf wetness, so the heavy dews accompanying late spring and early summer are most conducive to its grown. Turfgrasses lacking the proper nutrients, especially nitrogen, are most susceptible to dollar spot, and recover at a slower rate than turf that is well fertilized (Turffiles, NC State).
Ways to Combat Dollar Spot
If you find yourself having to deal with dollar spot, there are several things you can do to combat it.
- Maintaining a healthy lawn is key in preventing and combating dollar spot. Regular mowing, proper fertilization and irrigation are all crucial. However, dollar spot can be spread by mowing and foot traffic, so if it is suspected, treat the area and allow the treatment time to activate before you resume regular mowing.
- Moist environments are conducive to dollar spot growth, so it’s important to ensure your customers’ soil is draining properly.
- Be deliberate about when you water your customers’ lawns. Doing so in the morning allows the turf to dry out during the day and prevents a buildup of moisture.
- Treat infected turf as quickly as possible to prevent the further spread of disease.
- Regularly inspect your customers’ lawns, as early detection allows for early action.
Fungicides
Fungicide application is an additional way to control persistent dollar spot problems, especially in their early stages. Dollar spot should be treated at the first sign of infection. Preventative fungicide is best to use when conditions warrant. Preventative programs ensure great looking turf for golf courses and residential lawns. When applying the fungicide, ensure uniform spray coverage, as this will maximize its effectiveness. It’s also important to note that fungicide resistance has been found in the pathogen for 40 years, so be sure to closely follow label directions and refrain from continuously using active ingredients in the same fungicide class.
Golf Course Labeled Fungicides
Consider LESCO Flash, a FRAC group 3 fungicide
LESCO Flash is a golf-course fungicide developed to provide 21-day control of dollar spot. The product can be applied April through September and is safe on turf. The product is rain fast within two hours, provides flexibility with irrigation, and can be used on a wide range of turf diseases. LESCO Flash can be used as a preventative treatment, saving time and money by reducing the need for restorative measures.
LESCO Drax, a FRAC group 29 fungicide
LESCO Drax is a preventative contact fungicide for golf course use that provides control of multiple diseases, including dollar spot, brown patch and leaf spot. The product can be used in the following areas:
- Golf courses
- Professionally managed sports fields
- Cemeteries
- Sod and seed farms
- Residential lawns
- Commercial turf areas
Maxtima Fungicide
Maxtima fungicide is a cutting-edge DMI that can safely and affordably be sprayed at any temperature, on any turf variety. It controls diseases such as:
- Dollar spot
- Anthracnose
- Summer patch
- Fairy ring
- Spring dead spot
- Take-all root rot
Kabuto Fungicide SC
Kabuto Fungicide provides excellent control of spring dead spot, as well as preventative and curative control of dollar spot, including control of certain carboxamide-resistant dollar spot populations.
Residential and Commercial Turf labeled Fungicides
LESCO Spectator Ultra
LESCO Spectator Ultra is a systemic disease control for cool and warm season grasses, trees, shrubs and flowers. The product can be used for the following:
- Dollar spot
- Brown patch
- Anthracnose
- Red thread
LESCO Spectator Ultra provides control of many diseases on turf. It can be used for root floor fungicide treatments on trees and can be tank mixed with most fungicides.
Compendium
Compendium Fungicide combines the strength of two leading active ingredients to control every major turf disease in lawns including summer patch, dollar spot and fairy ring. The product improves overall turf quality, is flexible in application and eliminates the need to pre-mix.
Headway G
Headway G contains two active ingredients, azoxystrobin and propiconazole, to provide total disease control. The product can be used on most turfgrass for diseases such as brown patch, dollar spot, anthracnose and take-all patch.
Pillar SC
BASF Pillar SC Intrinsic Brand Fungicide pairs the strength of two active ingredients in one powerful broad-spectrum solution for fast curative activity and long-lasting residual control for up to 28 days. The product delivers control of up to 26 turf diseases, including brown patch, dollar spot, leaf spots and large patch on all turf types.
Help from SiteOne
If you have any further questions about turf diseases or which products would be most beneficial at your jobsite, ask your local SiteOne branch associates for a LESCO turf calendar. For more educational articles, look through our agronomics Learn section.
Need products as soon as possible? Shop fungicides on SiteOne.com and the SiteOne mobile app.