CGM Assessment & Monitoring Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which soil test measures the ability of soil to hold and supply nutrients to plants?
- Cation exchange capacity (CEC) (Correct answer)
- Bulk density test
- Percolation rate test
- Compaction probe reading
Correct answer: Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measures the soil's ability to hold positively charged nutrients and make them available to plants.
Question 2: A grounds manager notices turf thinning only in areas beneath mature trees. What is the BEST initial assessment tool?
- Light meter to measure canopy shade levels (Correct answer)
- Soil pH test
- Moisture probe
- Thatch depth gauge
Correct answer: Light meter to measure canopy shade levels
A light meter (quantum sensor) quantifies PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) under the canopy, directly measuring the shade stress causing thinning.
Question 3: When conducting a formal landscape audit, what does a 'condition rating scale' primarily evaluate?
- The physical health and structural integrity of individual landscape features (Correct answer)
- The budget allocation for each maintenance zone
- Irrigation system pressure loss
- Soil organic matter percentage
Correct answer: The physical health and structural integrity of individual landscape features
A condition rating scale assigns standardized numerical scores to the physical health and structural integrity of plants, hardscape, and other landscape features.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a scouting log in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program?
- To record pest populations, locations, and dates to track trends over time (Correct answer)
- To schedule chemical applications
- To document employee training hours
- To record equipment maintenance intervals
Correct answer: To record pest populations, locations, and dates to track trends over time
IPM scouting logs record pest species, population counts, locations, and dates, enabling trend analysis and action-threshold decisions.
Question 5: A turfgrass manager wants to monitor soil moisture uniformly across a large athletic field. Which technology is MOST efficient?
- Soil moisture sensor network with data logging (Correct answer)
- Manual tensiometers at two locations
- Gravimetric sampling weekly
- Visual wilt observation only
Correct answer: Soil moisture sensor network with data logging
A networked soil moisture sensor array provides continuous, spatially distributed data across the entire field with minimal labor.
Question 6: The NTEP (National Turfgrass Evaluation Program) data is MOST useful for a grounds manager when:
- Selecting a turfgrass cultivar proven to perform in a specific region and use (Correct answer)
- Calculating irrigation run times
- Diagnosing an existing disease outbreak
- Determining fertilizer application rates
Correct answer: Selecting a turfgrass cultivar proven to perform in a specific region and use
NTEP trials provide standardized performance data (quality, density, disease resistance) by region, helping managers choose the best cultivar for their conditions.
Question 7: In tree risk assessment, what does 'likelihood of failure' specifically evaluate?
- The probability that a structural defect will cause part of the tree to break under foreseeable conditions (Correct answer)
- The species susceptibility to insects
- The probability of root rot based on soil type
- The chance of storm damage from lightning
Correct answer: The probability that a structural defect will cause part of the tree to break under foreseeable conditions
Likelihood of failure evaluates the probability that a structural defect (crack, decay, lean) will result in part or all of the tree failing under anticipated loads.
CGM Assessment & Monitoring Methods 2
Which soil test measures the ability of soil to hold and supply nutrients to plants?