Thatch management in turfgrass has been recommended as part of integrated pest management; however, there is limited understanding of the microbial community in thatch. Previous studies on the turfgrass phytobiome mostly focused on the soil; however, culture-based studies have suggested that the thatch layer of golf courses contains higher bacterial and fungal abundances than the soil. Click here to learn more about the investigation into the total abundance of bacteria, fungi, and the turfgrass pathogen, Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (causal agent of dollar spot) in the thatch and soil and how it can be applied to sports field management.
Photo credit: NCSU
