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| DOG
URINE DAMAGE ON TURFGRASS |
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Introduction
Dog urine can cause considerable damage to all turfgrass
species. Damage caused by dog urine may be confused with
damage caused by plant pathogens that produce patch-like
symptoms. Diagnostic analysis of the plant material may
be necessary to determine the cause of the damage.
Symptoms
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Figure 1: The damage of
dog urine on turfgrass. (provided by
Karen L. Snover-Clift, Cornell University)
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Figure 2: The causal agents,
Ellie-Mae and Jethro. (provided by Karen
L. Snover-Clift, Cornell University) |
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Symptoms of dog urine damage include an area of necrotic
tissue surrounded by a margin of a very healthy, dark green grass.
Often damage is most noticeable after snow cover is removed from an
area that has been used regularly by dogs (Fig. 1).
Damage
The soluble salts contained in animal urine are capable of killing
turfgrass when deposited in high concentration in one location. Often
more severe damage is noticed when female dogs have urinated in an
area. Due to their squatting when urinating, they are probably depositing
a greater amount of urine to one concentrated area than male dogs
who spread out the urine when lifting their legs. Both male and female
dogs can cause this damage. The damage is most severe on dry, infertile
soil.
Management Strategies
Applying large amounts of water to the area will aid in dispersing
the salts and reduce the amount of damage seen.
Replacing dogs with cats may also be effective!
Created, KLS, 8/99
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The Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic
at Cornell University is located at 334 Plant Science Building,
Ithaca, NY, 14853. Phone: 607-255-7850, Fax: 607-255-4471,
Email: kls13@cornell.edu
or slj2@cornell.edu
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