Neottiosporina paspali blight

The disease is caused by the fungus Neottiosporina paspali, which primarily infects grasses, leading to characteristic leaf spots and tissue necrosis. This pathogen is a recognized agent of leaf blight, disrupting the normal physiological processes of host plants and hindering their development.

The primary host range includes various species of the Paspalum genus. These grasses are often found in pastures and landscaped areas. The presence of Neottiosporina paspali can significantly compromise the aesthetic quality of turfgrass or the nutritional yield of forage grasses used in livestock production.

Symptoms typically manifest as small lesions on the leaves, which gradually expand and change color as the infection progresses. The lesions often develop dark margins, and under humid conditions, the pathogen may produce fruiting bodies within the dead tissue, facilitating the spread of spores to healthy plant parts.

Development of the disease is favored by warm, humid environmental conditions. Persistent rainfall and poor air circulation within the plant canopy create an ideal environment for spore germination and colonization. Transmission occurs via wind-blown spores, splashing water droplets, and mechanical contact with infected plant material.

The impact of the disease includes reduced growth rates and poor overall health of the grass stands. Effective management of this fungal infection requires a multi-faceted approach to reduce the inoculum load and improve plant resistance:

• Improve air circulation through proper mowing heights and canopy management.
• Remove and destroy infected plant debris to minimize the over-wintering source of the fungus.
• Ensure balanced fertilization to strengthen plant immunity.
• Apply preventative or curative fungicides as recommended by local agricultural extension services.