In this video, I break down one of the most influential papers ever written on turfgrass pathology: Walsh, Ikeda, and Boland’s 1999 review on the biology and management of dollar spot. This paper remains a foundational resource for understanding how the pathogen operates, why the disease is so persistent on cool-season turf, and which management strategies are supported by evidence rather than tradition. I walk through the key sections of the paper, including the pathogen’s life cycle, the environmental conditions that drive epidemics, the role of cultural practices, and the strengths and weaknesses of common fungicide approaches. I also explain how the scientific understanding of dollar spot has progressed since 1999 and why many of the insights in this article still guide modern management decisions. If you work in turf management or simply want to understand the science behind one of the most costly diseases in the industry, this video will help you separate evidence from assumption and improve your decision-making.

🔬 Keywords: Dollar Spot, Bentgrass, Dew Removal, Nitrogen, Turfgrass Disease, Integrated Management

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