DTM*3200 Turfgrass Diseases

course node page

The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.
 

The ecology of turfgrass diseases and cultural methods of management will be emphasized, in addition to field recognition and microscopic diagnosis of diseases. Advances in biological and chemical control measures, and their impact on turfgrass ecosystems and surrounding environments will also be discussed. This course will interest students who plan a career in turfgrass management, but will also be useful to those interested in maintaining healthy home lawns.

Pre-Requisite(s): DTM*1100

Restrictions: Restricted to Associate Diploma students in the Turfgrass Management program.

Instructors:

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Diploma

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. describe major groups of cool season (northern temperate zone) turf diseases.
  2. properly identify causal agents in turf disease samples using a diagnostic manual and a microscope.
  3. recognize the effects of environmental conditions on turf diseases.
  4. recognize the impact of turf disease management practices on the environment.
  5. differentiate between biotic and abiotic disease symptoms.
  6. use cultural, biological and chemical techniques to minimize severity of turfgrass diseases.

Lecture Content:

This course covers the biology and management of turfgrass diseases and disorders emphasizing their ecology and cultural, biological and chemical means of control. Laboratory identification and field recognition of common turfgrass diseases are discussed, along with the impact of control methods on the environment.

Topics to be covered in lectures include:

  • Introduction to Plant Pathology: disease triangle and cycles
  • Winter diseases:  grey snow mold and pink snow mold
  • Spring Diseases: Fusarium patch, Leaf spots and melting out
  • Root diseases: necrotic ring spot, take-all patch, summer patch, fairy ring
  • Summer diseases:  dollar spot, brown patch, anthracnose, pythium blight and root rot
  • Other diseases: red thread and yellow patch, powdery mildew and rust
  • Abiotic and miscellaneous diseases: slime molds, moss and algae, abiotic
  • Fungicides - toxicity, cost, types, regulation
  • Turf disease prediction
  • Turf disease research
Labs & Seminars:

Topics to be covered in labs include:

  • Introduction to plant pathogens: nematodes, bacteria, fungi
  • Snow mold diseases
  • Spring diseases (Fusarium Patch, Leaf spots, other leaf spots)
  • Root diseases (NRS, TAP, SP, other)
  • Summer diseases (Dollar spot, Fairy Ring, brown patch, anthracnose, pythium)
  • Other diseases (Powdery mildew, Red thread, Yellow patch, Waitea Patch, Rust, Moss and algae, Black layer, Dog patch, Seed rot and damping off) 
  • New diseases: Gray Leaf Spot, Rapid Blight, Bacterial Wilt
  • Using disease key (practice identifying unknowns on slides or live samples)

Course Assignments and Tests:

Assignment or Test
Contribution to Final Mark

Lab Quizzes

40%

Midterm Exam

25%

Final Exam

35%

Final examination:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Course Resources:

Lectures will be given in class. PDF versions of the lecture material will be presented on the course website.

Labs will be given in person. PDF version of the lab material will be presented on the course website.

Recommended Resources:

OMAFRA 845, Integrated Pest Management for Turf (downloadable) (Readings)
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub845/pub845.pdf

OMAFRA 384, Protection Guide for Turfgrass (downloadable) (Readings)
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub384/pub384.pdf

Course Policies:

Grading Policies:

Please advise the instructor of examination conflicts as soon as possible. If you have an illness or other problem, please see your program counsellor and ask them to issue a notice to instructors. There are no make-up opportunities for lab quizzes or the midterm, but academic consideration (such as transfer of marks to the final exam) may be given with appropriate supporting documentation.

Other Course Information:

University Policies

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration:

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students  to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS), formerly Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD), as soon as possible.

For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

Course Evaluation Information

Your ratings and comments are important.  Course evaluation data are used to assess and enhance the quality of teaching and student learning at the University of Guelph.  Student course ratings and comments are used as an important component in the Faculty Tenure & Promotion process, and as valuable feedback to help instructors improve their teaching effectiveness and to improve the delivery of the course.

Your responses will not affect your grade.  Course evaluation data are distributed to individual instructors after final grades have been submitted to the Registrar, following the completion of each academic semester.

Please be honest, respectful, constructive and thorough.  Instructors and review committees place great value on student course ratings and read all comments provided in course evaluations. It is helpful to provide comments on the strengths of the course, in addition to the areas for improvement.  Please refrain from personal comments unless they relate to teaching and learning.

Click here for the University of Guelph Course Evaluation System