Cyclobutrifluram controls pacific shoot‐gall disease in annual bluegrass putting greens

Abstract The pacific shoot‐gall nematode ( Anguina pacificae ) is a serious pest of annual bluegrass ( Poa annua ) putting greens in coastal Northern California. Until recently, there have been relatively few effective plant protectant compounds against this endoparasitic nematode that infects shoots. This study evaluated the efficacy of cyclobutrifluram, which targets the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase complex of nematodes and fungi. Three studies were conducted from 2021 to 2024 at TPC Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, CA. Cyclobutrifluram was applied alone at a rate of 125, 250, or 500 g a.i. ha −1 or in combination with abamectin applied at 360 g a.i. ha −1 (3.9 g L ha −1 of product). Fluopyram applied at 500 g a.i. ha −1 (1.25 L ha −1 of product) was included as a standard. Cyclobutrifluram significantly improved turfgrass visual quality and reduced nematode injury compared to the untreated control, and overall effects were comparable to fluopyram. Tank mixtures or rotations with abamectin did not increase efficacy unless nematode pressure was high. These findings suggest that cyclobutrifluram is an effective plant‐protectant compound for managing pacific shoot‐gall nematodes.