Necrotic Ring Spot is a root disease caused by what type of organism?

Necrotic Ring Spot is a root disease caused by what type of organism?

• A. Soil-borne fungus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Virus
• D. Nematodes

Answer: (A)

Necrotic Ring Spot is a turfgrass root disease caused by a fungus that lives in the soil and in thatch. The pathogen colonizes roots and crowns, causing localized tissue death that forms the characteristic rings or patches as the grass regrows in the center. That soil-borne fungal nature is why the description fits best as a soil-borne fungus. Bacteria, viruses, and nematodes are associated with different disease patterns. Bacteria and viruses tend to produce distinct symptom types such as rapid lesions, spots, or mosaic patterns, not the classic soil-based ring symptoms. Nematodes damage roots and stunt plants but don’t typically create the characteristic necrotic rings seen with this disease.

Necrotic Ring Spot is a turfgrass root disease caused by a fungus that lives in the soil and in thatch. The pathogen colonizes roots and crowns, causing localized tissue death that forms the characteristic rings or patches as the grass regrows in the center. That soil-borne fungal nature is why the description fits best as a soil-borne fungus.

Bacteria, viruses, and nematodes are associated with different disease patterns. Bacteria and viruses tend to produce distinct symptom types such as rapid lesions, spots, or mosaic patterns, not the classic soil-based ring symptoms. Nematodes damage roots and stunt plants but don’t typically create the characteristic necrotic rings seen with this disease.