Grounds Maintenance & Landscape Management Flashcards

A CGM is evaluating a soil test that shows a pH of 5.2 for a cool-season turfgrass area. Which amendment should be applied?

Answer: Lime

Lime (calcium carbonate) raises soil pH, and most cool-season turfgrasses perform best between pH 6.0 and 7.0.

What is the primary function of a backflow preventer in an irrigation system?

Answer: To prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the potable supply

A backflow preventer stops reverse flow that could introduce fertilizers, pesticides, or contaminants into the drinking water supply.

Which grass species is best suited for a high-traffic athletic field in a warm-season climate?

Answer: Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is highly traffic-tolerant, heat-hardy, and recovers rapidly from wear, making it ideal for warm-season athletic fields.

When applying pesticides near a water body, which label requirement takes precedence over all other application decisions?

Answer: The pesticide label as a legal document

The pesticide label is a legal document under FIFRA, and all applicators must follow its instructions, including buffer zones near water bodies.

What is the recommended practice for managing clippings on a healthy, well-fertilized lawn?

Answer: Mulch clippings back into the turf to return nutrients

Mulching clippings returns nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, reducing fertilizer needs without contributing significantly to thatch.

Which irrigation scheduling method uses on-site weather data to calculate crop water needs in real time?

Answer: ET-based (smart) controller scheduling

ET-based smart controllers use local weather station data to calculate evapotranspiration and automatically adjust run times to match plant water demand.

A landscape manager discovers that a newly planted tree is exhibiting interveinal chlorosis on young leaves. The most likely nutrient deficiency is:

Answer: Iron

Iron deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis (yellow tissue between green veins) on young leaves, common in high-pH soils that limit iron availability.