At a recent Ohio GCSA meeting, Todd Hicks, turfgrass pathology program coordinator at Ohio State, presented on disease issues that courses experienced in 2025 and how to prepare for 2026. An interesting point from his presentation was the increase in samples that were submitted where leaf spot or melting out were diagnosed. Given the amount of rainfall that was experienced early last year in Ohio, this certainly makes sense.
Multiple fungal pathogens (Bipolaris and Drechslera spp.) can cause these diseases, so it is possible for issues to develop throughout the year depending on weather conditions and which grasses are being maintained. NC State, Purdue University and Penn State have good resources about how to manage these diseases.
As you develop a plant protectant program for the upcoming season, be sure your chosen fungicides provide leaf spot and melting out control when conditions look favorable for disease development. Hicks mentioned that if iprodione is not in the rotation, it is worth considering because it provides control of these diseases and makes it possible to use a different FRAC Code than other commonly used fungicides.
It will not be long until the first plant protectant applications are made in the central U.S., and it is important to structure your program so disease control is in place based on weather conditions. If leaf spot or melting out are issues in the rough, interseeding newer, more-resistant cultivars is also a sound decision to improve conditions moving forward. Reach out to your regional USGA agronomist if you have questions around developing your plant protectant program for the upcoming year.
Central Region Agronomists:
Zach Nicoludis, regional director, Central Region – znicoludis@usga.org
Tom Gould, agronomist – tgould@usga.org