Turf diseases can be a headache for lawn enthusiasts and professionals alike. While some might find a morbid fascination in their identification and symptoms, the real interest lies in understanding and managing these lawn ailments. Among the many diseases that can affect turfgrass, “Dog Foot Print” stands out with its intriguing name and distinctive symptoms.
Initially, the names of turf diseases themselves can spark curiosity. While terms like “brown patch” or “yellow patch” are descriptive, they lack a certain flair. “Dollar spot” is a step up in terms of memorability, but “elephant’s footprint” and especially “dog foot print” capture the imagination more vividly.
Beyond just the names, the symptoms of turf diseases are crucial for identification and treatment. While diseases like yellow patch, anthracnose, and red thread can often be subtle and require a trained eye to spot, others like large patch present themselves with monstrous and undeniable symptoms. “Dog foot print,” while not as monstrous as large patch, exhibits moderately hideous symptoms that are quite recognizable once you know what to look for.
Recent research has shed light on the specific cause of dog foot print disease. A study by Tomaso-Peterson et al. published in 2015 (https://doi.org/10.3852/15-238) investigated a foliar disease affecting warm-season turfgrasses in the southeastern United States. This disease, often appearing after significant rainfall events like tropical storms, manifests as distinct chocolate brown to black spots ranging from 2 to 15 cm in diameter. These spots primarily affect Cynodon dactylon and Zoysia matrella on golf courses, impacting putting greens, fairways, and tee boxes. In severe cases, these spots can merge, creating large, irregular patches of blighted turfgrass.
The researchers noted the similarity in symptoms between this newly observed disease and “dog footprint,” a known Curvularia leaf blight affecting Zoysia species in Japan. This observation led them to hypothesize that the fungus causing similar symptoms in the US might be a novel species of Curvularia. Their research confirmed this, identifying the culprit as Curvularia malina.
Dog foot print disease symptoms on manilagrass turf in Hilo, showcasing typical disease patterns.
Curvularia malina has, to date, only been isolated from C. dactylon and Z. matrella on golf courses. Field observations suggest that Zoysia matrella is more severely affected by dog foot print disease than C. dactylon. The disease is most prevalent during spring and fall, seasons typically characterized by moderate temperatures and ample rainfall. However, symptoms can persist into the summer if environmental conditions remain favorable and the turfgrass experiences stress from intensive management practices.
The research concluded that Curvularia malina indeed induces disease symptoms in warm-season turfgrasses that are consistent with Curvularia leaf blight, or dog foot print. Manilagrass (Zoysia matrella), while generally robust in tropical environments, is particularly susceptible to dog foot print, making it one of the most common diseases affecting this species.
Dog foot print disease damage on manilagrass in Okinawa, highlighting the visual impact of the fungal infection.
Observational evidence suggests that susceptibility to dog foot print disease varies significantly among manilagrass varieties. It’s common to see stark contrasts in disease prevalence even within close proximity. For instance, one location might exhibit a high incidence of dog foot print, while another location, just an hour away, with a slightly different manilagrass variety, might show no signs of the disease.
This phenomenon was observed in Japan during a July on a golf course fairway with a mixed stand of different Z. matrella (korai) varieties and patches of C. dactylon. One korai variety was heavily affected by dog foot print, while the Cynodon and other korai varieties remained disease-free.
Typical dog foot print disease presentation on manilagrass in Manila, demonstrating the characteristic footprint-like lesions.
Close-up view of dog foot print lesions on manilagrass in Shizuoka, emphasizing the fungal disease’s effect on individual grass blades.
These observations underscore the ubiquitous nature of dog foot print disease on susceptible varieties of turfgrass in East and Southeast Asia. However, the variability in susceptibility also offers a promising avenue: the potential to identify and cultivate varieties that are less prone to this disease. Selecting and breeding for resistance could be a key strategy in managing dog foot print and ensuring healthier, more resilient turfgrass in affected regions.
Varied susceptibility to dog foot print disease among different turfgrass varieties, illustrating the potential for selecting resistant strains.
Visual representation of dog foot print disease’s impact on turfgrass, highlighting the need for effective management strategies.
