TURFGRASS DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL YANGTZE RIVER BASIN IN CHINA

A review of recent literature on turfgrass diseases in China and a field survey at parks and golf courses were conducted in Hubei Province, China, in fall 2003. The major grasses grown for recreational purposes in the region of central China along the mid-section of the Yangtze river are the following: Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cynodon sp., Zoysia japonica Steud., and Z. matrella (L.) Merr. Samples were collected and brought back to the laboratory for isolation. Suspected pathogens were identified based on comparisons with descriptions in the literature. Inoculation trials were then conducted to confirm Koch's postulates for suspected pathogens. Many foliar diseases were found as well as a root disease. As a service to the turfgrass research community, we present translated information on turfgrass disease incidence from recent Chinese publications.