CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TURFGRASS DISEASES IN ITALY

The main fungal diseases of turfgrass in Italy during spring and summer are dollar spot (incited by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), brown patch (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) and Pythium blight (caused by Pythium spp.). In Northern regions during the winter Microdochium nivale, the causal agent of pink snow mould, causes severe damages on turfgrass under intense management. Due to the few products registered for the use on turfgrass in Italy, the control strategies are based on the adoption of appropriate cultural practices that, under low management conditions, reduce effectively the attacks of these pathogens. In the case of golf courses, or private gardens with high maintenance level, the chemical control is necessary. The results of experimental field trials against M. nivale and S. homoeocarpa with registered, unregistered, natural and biological products are reported. Among the tested fungicides, DMI products provided a good control of dollar spot. Azoxystrobin and trifloxystrobin, not registered in Italy on turfgrass, showed an interesting activity against pink snow mould. The biological and natural products (Trichoderma spp. and azadiractin), that showed a partial control under greenhouse conditions, did not provide good protection in the field.