Which fungal disease is characterized by dark leaf spots and irregular turf death?

• A. Melting-out
• B. Dollar spot
• C. Brown patch
• D. Leaf spot

Answer: (A)

Dark leaf spots with irregular turf death point to melting-out. This disease typically starts as dark, often nearly black spots on individual leaf blades and then spreads to cause patches of dead or thinning turf that appear irregular in shape rather than round or neatly bordered. That pattern of dark foliar lesions progressing into uneven dieback is distinctive. Other diseases have different symptom patterns: dollar spot shows small, pale spots; brown patch forms large circular to irregular patches with a reddish-brown margin; leaf spot creates lesions on leaves but doesn’t usually produce irregular turf death. So the dark spots on leaves accompanied by irregular dieback best fits melting-out. Management revolves around reducing leaf wetness and humidity, improving air circulation, avoiding over-fertilization, and applying labeled fungicides when symptoms appear.