CGM Sustainable Practices & Conservation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which irrigation scheduling method uses evapotranspiration (ET) data to determine watering frequency?
- Deficit irrigation
- ET-based irrigation scheduling (Correct answer)
- Surge irrigation
- Flood irrigation
Correct answer: ET-based irrigation scheduling
ET-based irrigation scheduling uses actual evapotranspiration data to replace only the water lost by plants and soil, minimizing waste.
Question 2: What is the primary environmental benefit of using recycled water (reclaimed water) for landscape irrigation?
- It contains more nutrients than potable water
- It reduces demand on freshwater supplies (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for fertilizers
- It prevents soil compaction
Correct answer: It reduces demand on freshwater supplies
Reclaimed water reduces demand on potable freshwater supplies, conserving a critical resource while still meeting irrigation needs.
Question 3: A grounds manager wants to reduce chemical inputs. Which integrated approach best combines biological, cultural, and chemical controls?
- Organic farming
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (Correct answer)
- Zero-tolerance pest policy
- Conventional pesticide rotation
Correct answer: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls to manage pests with minimal environmental impact.
Question 4: Which practice best reduces stormwater runoff and improves groundwater recharge on turf areas?
- Installing impervious borders
- Core aeration and topdressing (Correct answer)
- Increasing mowing frequency
- Applying pre-emergent herbicides
Correct answer: Core aeration and topdressing
Core aeration reduces compaction and improves soil infiltration, allowing water to percolate into the ground rather than run off.
Question 5: What does a soil health assessment that measures biological activity (e.g., microbial biomass) help a grounds manager determine?
- The need for synthetic fertilizer applications
- The soil's capacity to support plant life and cycle nutrients naturally (Correct answer)
- The correct mowing height for turf
- The presence of invasive weed species
Correct answer: The soil's capacity to support plant life and cycle nutrients naturally
Measuring microbial biomass indicates the soil's biological health and its natural capacity to break down organic matter and supply nutrients.
Question 6: Which type of mulch provides the greatest long-term benefit to soil health in landscape beds?
- Rubber mulch
- Colored wood chip mulch
- Organic wood chip mulch (Correct answer)
- Gravel mulch
Correct answer: Organic wood chip mulch
Organic wood chip mulch decomposes over time, adding organic matter to the soil and supporting microbial activity.
Question 7: What is the primary goal of xeriscaping in landscape management?
- Eliminating all plant material to reduce maintenance
- Designing landscapes that require little or no supplemental irrigation (Correct answer)
- Using only native grasses for turf areas
- Maximizing use of hardscaping materials
Correct answer: Designing landscapes that require little or no supplemental irrigation
Xeriscaping focuses on creating landscapes that are highly drought-tolerant and need minimal or no supplemental irrigation once established.
CGM Sustainable Practices & Conservation 2
Which irrigation scheduling method uses evapotranspiration (ET) data to determine watering frequency?