The lesions on blades of Kentucky bluegrass are yellowed to bleached bands with reddish brown borders on the ends of the lesions. High nitrogen levels will reduce dollar spot. Smut Smut is easily transmitted by people and machinery moving across infected areas. It is hard to detect and may be widely distributed before it has been diagnosed. The disease weakens the grass so that it succumbs to heat and drought stress during the summer.
Symptoms are pale green new leaves with black streaks between the veins.
Spores are produced in the black stripes and when the spores are liberated the leaf blade becomes frayed. The tip of the leaf blade becomes segmented, twisted and white. Reduce spring and summer nitrogen fertilization on infected lawns. Keep watering to prevent summer dormancy, as any infected plants that go dormant will die. This information is for educational purposes only.