Turfgrass Management Flashcards

Dollar spot disease in turfgrass is most commonly associated with which conditions?

Answer: Low nitrogen fertility and alternating wet/dry periods with moderate temperatures

Dollar spot is favored by low nitrogen levels and periods of alternating moisture such as heavy dew or light, frequent irrigation, and can be partly managed with adequate nitrogen fertility.

Which statement about turfgrass dormancy is correct?

Answer: Cool-season grasses can go dormant in summer heat; warm-season grasses go dormant in cool winters

Cool-season grasses can enter summer dormancy during heat and drought stress, while warm-season grasses turn brown and go dormant when temperatures drop in fall and winter.

What is the primary benefit of using slow-release nitrogen fertilizers on turfgrass compared to quick-release forms?

Answer: They provide a more consistent nutrient supply over time and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn

Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers release nutrients gradually over weeks or months, providing sustained turf nutrition while minimizing salt burn, leaching, and surge growth.

Brown patch disease in turfgrass is caused by which pathogen?

Answer: Rhizoctonia solani

Brown patch is caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and is favored by hot, humid conditions with high nighttime temperatures and excessive nitrogen.

Which practice BEST helps reduce turf compaction in high-traffic areas over time?

Answer: Combining core aeration with sand topdressing

Core aeration physically removes soil plugs to immediately relieve compaction, and sand topdressing helps maintain open pores and improve long-term soil structure.

What does the term 'transition zone' refer to in turfgrass management?

Answer: A geographic region of the mid-United States where neither cool-season nor warm-season grasses are fully adapted

The transition zone is a geographic band across the middle United States where summer heat stresses cool-season grasses and winter cold damages warm-season grasses, creating difficult management conditions.

Proper irrigation timing for turfgrass is generally recommended during which part of the day?

Answer: Early morning to minimize evaporation and reduce fungal disease risk

Early morning irrigation minimizes evaporative loss, allows foliage to dry during the day to reduce disease pressure, and delivers water when plant demand is increasing.