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POSTERS: Microbiome/Communities I

P-347 - Fungal community responses to soil moisture and their implications for Dollar Spot in Turfgrass

Monday, August 4, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM HST
Location: Exhibit Hall 3
Abstract Text: Dollar spot, caused by Clarireedia jacksonii, is a major disease in golf course turfgrass. To mitigate the incidence of soil and foliar diseases, golf course superintendents regulate soil volumetric water content (VWC). This study used high-throughput sequencing of the ITS region to profile fungal communities and assess the impact of soil moisture on microbial diversity. In 2024, we collected 144 phyllosphere and rhizosphere samples from a golf course fairway and putting green in Madison, WI. Sampling was conducted at three-time points under low, medium, and high VWC conditions. Results revealed that soil type significantly influenced microbial richness, diversity, and community structure (p < 0.01), while moisture treatment, sampling date, and sample type had minimal or no statistical effects. Taxonomic profiling revealed differences between phyllosphere and rhizosphere fungal communities in fairways and greens, while functional profiling emphasized the role of soil type in shaping microbial functions. Although moisture treatments did not significantly affect fungal diversity, C. jacksonii ASVs were more abundant in fairways, particularly in the phyllosphere, in early August and under higher moisture conditions (25%-45% VWC). This suggests that moisture levels influence disease severity by creating favorable conditions for the pathogen. These findings highlight the importance of soil properties, microbial interactions, and environmental conditions in managing dollar spot and optimizing turfgrass health, offering insights for sustainable disease control.