Genome Resources for Seven Fungal Isolates That Cause Dollar Spot Disease in Turfgrass, Including and .

Fungi in the genus are widespread and destructive pathogens of grasses worldwide, and are best known as the causal agents of dollar spot disease in turfgrass. Here, we report genome assemblies of seven isolates, including ex-types of the two most widespread species, and . These datasets provide a valuable resource for ongoing studies of the dollar spot pathogens that include population diversity, host-pathogen interactions, marker development, and disease control.

Clarireedia: A new fungal genus comprising four pathogenic species responsible for dollar spot disease of turfgrass.

Dollar spot is one of the most destructive and economically important fungal diseases of amenity turfgrasses. The causal agent was first described in 1937 as the ascomycete Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. However, the genus-level taxonomic placement of this fungus has been the subject of an ongoing debate for over 75 y.

Identification and Pathogenicity of Bacteria Associated with Etiolation and Decline of Creeping Bentgrass Golf Course Putting Greens.

Bacterial etiolation and decline has developed into a widespread issue with creeping bentgrass (CBG) (Agrostis stolonifera) putting green turf. The condition is characterized by an abnormal elongation of turfgrass stems and leaves that in rare cases progresses into a rapid and widespread necrosis and decline. Recent reports have cited bacteria, Acidovorax avenae and Xanthomonas translucens, as causal agents; however, few cases exist where either bacterium were isolated in conjunction with turf exhibiting bacterial disease symptoms.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Turfgrasses in North Carolina and South Carolina, United States.

The near-full-length 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 region were amplified and sequenced from 52 nematode populations belonging to 28 representative species in 13 families recovered from turfgrasses in North Carolina (38 populations) and South Carolina (14 populations). This study also included 13 nematode populations from eight other plant hosts from North Carolina for comparison. Nematodes were molecularly characterized and the phylogenetic relationships were explored based on 18S rDNA sequences.

Characterization and distribution of mating-type genes of the turfgrass pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa on a global scale.

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennett is a filamentous member of Ascomycota that causes dollar spot, the most economically important disease of turfgrass worldwide.

First Report of Xanthomonas translucens Causing Etiolation on Creeping Bentgrass Turf in Illinois, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Symptoms of etiolation, which is an abnormal elongation and yellowing of tillers, have been observed on creeping bentgrass [Agrostis stolonifera L. (CBG)] putting greens for decades; however, symptoms are typically transient and non-problematic. Reports of etiolation have become more frequent recently and research supports the involvement of bacteria (1).

Permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 April 2013-31 May 2013.

This article documents the addition of 234 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Acipenser sinensis, Aleochara bilineata, Aleochara bipustulata, Barbus meridionalis, Colossoma macropomum, Delia radicum, Drosophila nigrosparsa, Fontainea picrosperma, Helianthemum cinereum, Liomys pictus, Megabalanus azoricus, Pelteobagrus vachelli, Pleuragramma antarcticum, Podarcis hispanica type 1A, Sardinella brasiliensis and Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Acipenser dabryanus, Barbus balcanicus, Barbus barbus, Barbus cyclolepis, Drosophila hydei, Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila obscura, Drosophila subobscura, Fontainea australis, Fontainea fugax, Fontainea oraria, Fontainea rostrata, Fontainea venosa, Podarcis bocagei, Podarcis carbonelli, Podarcis liolepis, Podarcis muralis and Podarcis vaucheri.

Description of Hemicaloosia graminis n. sp. (Nematoda: Caloosiidae) Associated with Turfgrasses in North and South Carolina, USA.

A new nematode species was discovered during a diversity survey of plant-parasitic nematodes on turfgrass conducted in North and South Carolina in 2010 and 2011. It is described herein as Hemicaloosia graminis n. sp.

Diversity and Occurrence of Plant-parasitic Nematodes Associated with Golf Course Turfgrasses in North and South Carolina, USA.

One hundred and eleven golf courses from 39 counties in the Carolinas were surveyed for plant-parasitic nematodes. Species diversity within habitats was analyzed with five diversity indices including Diversity index (H'), Evenness (J'), Richness (SR), Dominance (λ) and Diversity (H2 ). The results revealed a remarkably high diversity of 24 nematode species belonging to 19 genera and 11 families.

Induced overexpression of cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase gene (CYP51) correlates with sensitivity to demethylation inhibitors (DMIs) in Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.

Background: The fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa causes dollar spot, the most important turfgrass disease worldwide. Demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides have been relied upon heavily to manage this disease. Presently, populations of S.

Evaluation of Preventive Fungicide Applications for Fairy Ring Control in Golf Putting Greens and In Vitro Sensitivity of Fairy Ring Species to Fungicides.

Fairy ring species induce symptoms on putting greens mostly indirectly, by modifying the soil physical or chemical properties. Therefore, preventive rather than curative fungicide applications may be more effective in managing fairy ring. Two field experiments were conducted on a creeping bentgrass research green to evaluate fairy ring control from preventive fungicide applications.

Identification and Distribution of Fungi Associated with Fairy Rings on Golf Putting Greens.

Traditional methods for identification of fairy ring fungi rely on the morphology of mature basidiocarps, which are ephemeral and often do not reach maturity on golf greens due to management practices. From 2007 to 2009, basidiocarps and soil samples were collected from 15 hybrid bermudagrass and 30 bentgrass greens exhibiting fairy ring symptoms in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, North Caroline, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Genomic DNA was extracted from 122 unknown samples.

First Report of Marasmiellus mesosporus Causing Marasmiellus Blight on Seashore Paspalum.

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) is a newly cultivated C4 turfgrass that has exceptional salinity tolerance and is highly suited for use on golf courses in coastal areas. In October 2008 and June 2009, circular patches of blighted seashore paspalum ranging from 30 cm to >3 m in diameter were observed in fairways, tees, and roughs established with 'Supreme' seashore paspalum at Roco Ki Golf Club in Macao, Dominican Republic.

Occurrence and Molecular Identification of Azoxystrobin-Resistant Colletotrichum cereale Isolates from Golf Course Putting Greens in the Southern United States.

Turfgrass anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum cereale (≡C. graminicola), has become a common disease of creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass putting greens throughout the southern United States. Strobilurin (QoI) fungicides such as azoxystrobin are single-site mode-of-action fungicides applied to control C.

Preventive Control of Pythium Root Dysfunction in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens and Sensitivity of Pythium volutum to Fungicides.

Pythium root dysfunction (PRD), caused by Pythium volutum, has been observed on golf course putting greens established with creeping bentgrass in the southeastern United States since 2002. To evaluate preventative strategies for management of this disease, a 3-year field experiment was conducted in Pinehurst, NC on a 'G-2' creeping bentgrass putting green. Fungicide treatments were applied twice in the fall (September and October) and three times in the spring (March, April, and May) in each of the 3 years.

Phylogenetic and population genetic divergence correspond with habitat for the pathogen Colletotrichum cereale and allied taxa across diverse grass communities.

Over the past decade, the emergence of anthracnose disease has newly challenged the health of turfgrasses on North American golf courses, resulting in considerable economic loss. The fungus responsible for the outbreaks, Colletotrichum cereale, has also been identified from numerous natural grasses and cereal crops, although disease symptoms are generally absent. Here we utilize phylogenetic and population genetic analyses to determine the role of ecosystem in the advancement of turfgrass anthracnose and assess whether natural grass and/or cereal inhabitants are implicated in the epidemics.

Influence of Temperature on Pathogenicity of Pythium volutum Toward Creeping Bentgrass.

Symptoms of Pythium root dysfunction (PRD) in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) are most common in the summer during periods of heat and drought stress. However, recent observations in North Carolina indicate that Pythium volutum, a causal agent of PRD, is most active during the fall and spring. Soil temperature thresholds for this pathogen are needed so that preventive fungicide applications can be timed accurately.

Genetic Structure of Magnaporthe grisea Populations Associated with St. Augustinegrass and Tall Fescue in Georgia.

ABSTRACT Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships within Magnaporthe grisea and determine the genetic structure of M. grisea populations associated with tall fescue and St. Augustinegrass in Georgia.

Pathogenicity of Pythium Species Associated with Pythium Root Dysfunction of Creeping Bentgrass and Their Impact on Root Growth and Survival.

Symptoms resembling Pythium root dysfunction have been observed on golf course putting greens established with creeping bentgrass across the southeastern United States since 2002. Root isolations from 14 golf courses yielded 59 isolates of Pythium volutum and 16 isolates of Pythium torulosum. Pathogenicity of five isolates of P.

First Report of Curvularia Blight of Zoysiagrass Caused by Curvularia lunata in the United States.

Symptoms of an unknown foliar blight have been observed in zoysiagrass (Zoysia matrella, Z. japonica, and hybrids) landscapes in North Carolina since 2002. Disease activity is most common during spring and summer when temperatures are between 21 and 30°C.

First Report of Spring Dead Spot of Zoysiagrass Caused by Ophiosphaerella korrae in the United States.

Since 2002, symptoms of an unknown disease have been observed in 'El Toro' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) in several locations across North Carolina. Symptoms become evident in the spring as the zoysiagrass comes out of winter dormancy.

First Report of Pythium Root Dysfunction of Creeping Bentgrass Caused by Pythium volutum in North Carolina.

In July and August of 2002 and 2003, a disease of unknown etiology was observed in Charlotte, NC on 'A-1' creeping bentgrass (CRB; Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens that were constructed in 2000. Symptoms appeared in irregular patches ranging from 15 to 30 cm in diameter.

Expression of the bacteriophage T4 lysozyme gene in tall fescue confers resistance to gray leaf spot and brown patch diseases.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is an important turf and forage grass species worldwide. Fungal diseases present a major limitation in the maintenance of tall fescue lawns, landscapes, and forage fields.

Genetic Relationships Among Magnaporthe poae Isolates from Turfgrass Hosts and Relative Susceptibility of 'Penncross' and 'Penn A-4' Creeping Bentgrass.

Isolates of Magnaporthe poae from turfgrass hosts were analyzed for mating type, genetic relatedness according to ITS sequences, reaction to a previously developed species-specific poly-merase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and virulence on two creeping bentgrass cultivars in growth chamber experiments. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences revealed three clades, designated A, B, and C. Clade A contained isolates of both mating types from creeping bentgrass, annual bluegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass.

Aggressiveness of Typhula ishikariensis Isolates to Cultivars of Bentgrass Species (Agrostis spp.) Under Controlled Environment Conditions.

Speckled snow mold, caused by Typhula ishikariensis, is one of the most important Typhula snow molds in subarctic zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Nine isolates of three T. ishikariensis varieties (var.