Now, however, they have been segregated out. Many species of Dreschlera cause what is known today as Dreschlera leaf spot, crown rot, and root rot. As these leafspot lesions increase in size their centers may fade to a straw or light-brown color. As the disease progresses in favorable weather, the spots run together and girdle the leaf blades. The crown rot stage appears with the first warm weather, causing a reddish-brown decay of the crown, rhizome, and root tissues.
Plants lack vigor and wilt during mid-day as the root are destroyed.
Spores are produced in the spring and carried to new leaves by air currents, mowers, splashing water, feet, etc. The spores germinate in a film of moisture and infect the leaves, causing spotting. New leaf infections may occur as long as the weather remains moist and the temperatures are favorable. With the arrival of relatively dry weather in the summer, the leafspot phase decreases and crowns and roots are attacked. Crown and root infections in midsummer lead to the melting-out phase of the disease and large patches of turf may be killed.