Turfgrass Management Flashcards

Which of the following is classified as a cool-season turfgrass?

Answer: Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that grows best at 60–75°F, unlike the warm-season grasses listed.

What is the primary purpose of core aeration in turfgrass management?

Answer: To relieve soil compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient movement

Core aeration removes plugs of soil to relieve compaction and improve the movement of air, water, and nutrients to the root zone.

Thatch in a turfgrass stand is best described as:

Answer: A layer of living and dead organic matter between the soil surface and green grass

Thatch is the layer of accumulated living and dead organic matter (stems, roots, rhizomes) situated between the soil surface and the actively growing green grass.

What mowing height is generally recommended for Kentucky bluegrass during summer stress periods?

Answer: 2.5–3.5 inches

Kentucky bluegrass is typically maintained at 2.5–3.5 inches in summer to promote deeper roots and improve heat and drought stress tolerance.

Which warm-season turfgrass has the highest shade tolerance?

Answer: St. Augustinegrass

St. Augustinegrass has the best shade tolerance among commonly used warm-season grasses, making it suitable for partially shaded lawns in the South.

The 'one-third rule' in turfgrass mowing states that you should never remove more than one-third of the:

Answer: Leaf blade height in a single mowing

The one-third rule states that no more than one-third of the leaf blade should be removed in a single mowing to minimize plant stress and protect photosynthetic capacity.

Overseeding dormant warm-season turf with annual or perennial ryegrass in the fall is primarily done to:

Answer: Maintain green color during the winter dormancy period

Overseeding dormant warm-season turf with ryegrass provides green winter color while the base warm-season grass is dormant.