The symptoms of Spring Dead Spot  are small circular dead areas of bermuda-grass 6 inches to several feet in diameter in the spring as bermuda and zoysia grass resumes growth from winter dormancy. Spring Dead Spot is caused by 3 different fungi based in the soil. These fungi feed on the roots of the grass in the autumn and fall. The damage from the fungi is normally not seen until the next spring. Roots can appear to be dark and rotted, and the grass recovers very slowly during the summer months because the fungi excrete a toxin in the soil that inhibits your grass from growing back into the damaged areas. It is usually mid-summer before the affected areas fill in, and the thin areas are often populated by weeds. The disease develops again the following year in the same areas. The spots can enlarge each year and after 2 to 3 years may develop into circular areas where Bermuda grass survives in the center.

The disease does not usually develop until 3 to 4 years after establishment and may be associated with moderately thatchy turf and rainy conditions. The excessive moisture in the thatch layer in conjunction with humidity is a perfect environment for fungi to become active. Heavy blanket applications of fungicides can be applied in the fall to help control the disease, but they are very expensive and the results widely vary. Nitrogen based fertilizer helps to reduce disease severity in addition to frequent, consistent mowing practices. You should bag the clippings whenever the lawn has become tall, or a mowing has been skipped. The best way to control Spring Dead Spot is to remove the grass and soil 6 inches deep, and 6 inches out from the damaged areas. Replace the soil and lay new sod in the spots. Top dress the patched areas with sand, and you should never have a problem in these areas again. A second option is to apply fungicides to specific areas in September and October and then to core aerate the area. This second option is a preventive measure and can help discourage the fungus from spreading or coming back.