Most turfgrass diseases are primarily caused by:

Most turfgrass diseases are primarily caused by fungi, which makes this answer the correct choice. Fungal pathogens are responsible for a wide range of diseases that can negatively impact the health and appearance of turfgrass. These fungi thrive in suitable environmental conditions, such as high moisture and temperatures, which can lead to issues like leaf spots, blights, and root rot.

Fungi can spread quickly and may remain viable in the soil or on plant debris, making prevention and management crucial for maintaining healthy turfgrass. Understanding the role of fungi in turfgrass diseases can help turf managers and landscapers implement effective control measures, such as proper cultural practices, timely fungicide applications, and maintaining proper irrigation and mowing practices to reduce disease incidence.

In contrast, while bacteria, viruses, and nematodes can cause plant diseases, they are much less common in turfgrass systems. Bacterial diseases typically present differently and are less prevalent than fungal diseases in turf. Viruses can also affect turfgrass but usually do not lead to the same level of economic loss as fungal diseases. Nematodes, while significant pests, are not classified as pathogens in the same sense as fungi and primarily cause damage through their feeding. Thus, understanding the predominant role of fungi in turfgrass diseases