Evaluation of composts for suppression of dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) of turfgrass

The use of composts in turfgrass disease management allows for a reduction in pesticide use in chemical control practices. Disease suppressive properties of composts rely on a number of factors including microbial activity, microbial population dynamics, nutrient concentrations, and other associated chemical and physical factors. Five composts were evaluated for suppression of dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. The dollar spot disease suppressive properties of selected compost formulations prepared in different years was evaluated. A third objective was to examine the effects of storage of compost (1 year) on the suppression of dollar spot. Field experiments were conducted in 1998 with compost prepared in 1997 to 1998. Applications of compost every 3 weeks throughout the season suppressed dollar spot of turf to levels not significantly different than applications of chlorothalonil fungicide applied at the manufacturer's lowest recommended preventative rate of 38.4 ml a.i./100 m every 2 weeks (P = 0.05). Single applications of composts at the start of the 1998 season were not effective in reducing disease. Field experiments in 1999 evaluated batches of two selected compost formulations, one batch produced in 1998 to 1999, another stored since production in 1997 to 1998. Composts were effective in suppressing disease to levels not significantly different than the fungicide controls, which showed up to 33% disease in 1998 and up to 31% disease in 1999 (P = 0.05). Storage of composts for up to 1 year did not affect their ability to reduce dollar spot severity (P = 0.05). The use of composts as plant disease suppressants is not likely to replace the use of commercial fungicides in dollar spot management. However, multiple applications of compost may reduce incidence and severity of dollar spot to levels at which chemical control may be reduced or eliminated for a significant portion of the season.