This NebGuide describes the symptoms and disease cycle of dollar spot, and provides recommendations for controlling this turfgrass disease. Favoring Dollar Spot Prescription for Healthy Turf Dollar spot of turfgrass is one of the most persistent diseases on golf courses in North America. All commonly grown turfgrasses in Nebraska may be attacked, but differences in susceptibility exist within cultivars of the various turf species. Presence of dollar spot in a well-managed lawn affects its aesthetic appearance and value, but usually does not threaten its survival.
Lawns recover from dollar spot injury when conditions are favorable for vigorous, healthy growth.
Traditionally, Sclerotinia homeocarpa F. T. Bennett was the name given the fungus that causes dollar spot. More recently, there has been a name change and the dollar spot fungi in the United States are considered species of the genera Lanzia and Moellerodiscus . Symptoms Dollar spot symptoms vary depending primarily on turfgrass species, mowing height and nutrition level. Overall appearance of dollar spot on closely mowed bentgrass golf greens differs from that observed on taller Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass turfs. Each spot seldom exceeds 2 inches in diameter.