Development of a semi-selective medium for improved isolation of the turfgrass dollar spot pathogenSclerotinia homoeocarpafrom host tissues

Dollar spot, caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, is one of the most economically devastating diseases of amenity turfgrasses worldwide. The pathogen is readily isolated from active lesions, but detection from seed, dormant host tissue and other plant debris that may serve as a source of primary inoculum is difficult. A semi-selective medium was developed to enhance isolation of S. homoeocarpa. Various fungicides used on turfgrass, the pH indicator dye bromophenol blue, and two pH levels, were assessed for their effects on, and in the case of bromophenol blue, response to growth of S. homoeocarpa and contaminant fungi frequently isolated from field and seed samples. Amendment of the medium to pH 4 promoted growth of S. homoeocarpa in the absence of fungicides and enhanced pathogen growth relative to contaminant isolates on medium amended with 0.1 μg mL−1 triticonazole or 5 μg mL−1 azoxystrobin. The growth rate of S. homoeocarpa on these three media, as determined by in vitro radial growth assays, wa...