Continued examination of organic fertilizers/microbial products and their possible role in disease suppression on golf course turfgrass in the Capital District of New York State

Abstract

Interest in developing alternatives to chemical fungicides for the control of turfgrass diseases exists among many members of the turfgrass community, including golf course superintendents, university and Extension educators, legislators and environmental activists. While many organic fertilizers/microbial products claim to suppress disease, and laboratory trials have been substantiated some of these claims, very few in-the-field studies exist comparing these types of products. This project examined several organic fertilizers/microbial products for suppression of the disease dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) . Unfortunately, weather conditions did not allow for sufficient disease development, and little data was generated. New protocols for conducting this type of field research are needed to efficiently study disease suppression in a meaningful manner.