June 12, 1998

Turf samples showing symptoms of leaf spot and melting out have been arriving in the Plant Disease Clinic. Leaf spots on grass blades are initially reddish brown to dark brown. As they enlarge, they take on an oblong shape and develop a gray to light tan center with a dark border. Heavily infected blades may turn yellow, wither, and die. The activity of the fungus can also move to the crown of the plant and cause collapse and death of plants. This is referred to as melting out, because the overall appearance is a severe thinning of the turf.