MIAMI-DADE, Fla – If you own, manage or work with St. Augustinegrass in Palm Beach, Broward or Miami-Dade counties, University of Florida scientists and Extension agents want you to be aware of Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVM). The disease, first reported in South Florida in 2014, is a combination of two viruses that can kill the Floratam cultivar of St. Augustinegrass within 3 years of infection.

On January 18, UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a free webinar providing the latest information about the spread of the virus in southeast Florida, signs of the virus, how and where to test for the virus, and what to do about replacing the damaged turf and keep the virus from spreading.

“This is a lethal disease that has been affecting a lot of properties in South Florida,” said Henry Mayer, a commercial horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County. “The free webinar is designed to provide information for the general public, as well as landscapers, cities, pest control companies and homeowners associations who are impacted by this disease.”

Continuing education credits are also available for industry professionals in the pest control and landscape industry. Interested in participating? Register at https://bit.ly/32PgLbR for the webinar.

Among some of the early symptoms include a mosaic pattern on the leaf that becomes necrotic (turns brown and dies prematurely) over time, said Mayer. “The symptoms present blotchy and streaky patterns of yellow and green color. In fact, turfgrass tends to have broken yellow streaks running between the veins on an otherwise green blade. The only way to be sure the affected Floratam, or St. Augustinegrass cultivar, has lethal viral necrosis is through laboratory testing.”

For additional resources on the virus, reach out to your local UF IFAS County Extension offices:

• UF/IFAS Extension Broward County (954) 756-8519

• UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County (305) 248-3311

• UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County (561) 233-1748

For inquiries on the webinar, please contact Henry Mayer at hmayer@ufl.edu

or Laurie Albrecht atlalbrecht@ufl.edu.

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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

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