It looks like your Bermuda grass is showing shoot dieback and stolon tip decline, which can happen for a few different reasons — often environmental or fungal in nature. Based on your San Angelo conditions and what I can see in the photo (short stolons, white roots, and slight bleaching at the base), here are the most likely causes:
🔹 1. Moisture and Soil Compaction Stress
If this grass came from a high-traffic or dry area, the crown may have partially desiccated. Bermuda’s stolons are shallow, so:
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Drought stress (especially with low humidity and high temps) can dry stolon tips.
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Compacted soil prevents oxygen at the root zone, leading to root dieback.
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You’ll often see this where irrigation coverage is inconsistent or where thatch holds heat.
Solution:
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Aerate compacted areas.
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Maintain ¾”–1” of water per week, ideally split over 2–3 cycles.
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Avoid mowing too short (keep Bermuda around 1–1.5”).
🔹 2. Fungal Decline (“Spring Dead Spot” or Heat Stress Fungi)
When you see green shoots dying back from the stolon tips with white roots still attached, it can indicate fungal activity, particularly when humidity swings or soil temps change quickly (like now in fall).
Common culprits:
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Ophiosphaerella herpotricha (Spring Dead Spot)
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Rhizoctonia (heat stress fungus)
Solution:
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Apply a systemic fungicide such as Propiconazole 14.3 or Headway G now while soil temps are 65–75°F.
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Lightly topdress with compost to encourage microbial recovery.
🔹 3. High pH or Salt Accumulation
San Angelo soils can run alkaline, and salts build up with hard water or fertilizer residue. The stolon tips yellow, roots burn, and recovery slows.
Solution:
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Run a quick soil pH and EC test.
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If pH > 7.8, apply gypsum (5–10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft) and flush with deep irrigation.
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Avoid high-salt fertilizers; stick with balanced slow-release like 21-7-14 (50% slow N).
🔹 4. Mower or Mechanical Damage
If this sample came from an area mowed too tight or scalped, stolons can break and show dieback like this.
Solution: Raise mowing height, especially during fall transition when Bermuda slows growth.
If you can tell me where this plug came from (sun/shade, slope, watered area, etc.), I can narrow it down precisely — but right now, this looks most consistent with environmental stress with possible fungal activity starting.
Would you like me to create a short BMP (Best Management Practice) sheet on Bermuda stolon decline and recovery that you can hand out to customers or post online?