Ornamental/Turf pesticide applicator's licence exam study guide Questions & Answers!!

What are some of the basic principles of Integrated pest management? - ANSWER1.) PREVENTION: Produce healthy plants that resist plants: (Selecting healthy plants, using certified seed, providing good growing conditions, and making a good match between the plant and the site) 2.) MONITOR AND IDENTIFY THE PEST: Identify the problem: (Finding out whether the damage to a particular plant is caused by a pest or by an environmental condition such as freezing or drought and always determine the exact pest that you are dealing with) 3.) SET ACTION THRESHOLDS: Expect some pests and tolerate some damage: (Deciding how many pests and how much damage to tolerate) 4.) CONTROL: Use pesticides as a last choice-Not a first choice What are 4 tools or techniques that you could use to study a plant problem as you look for pests? - ANSWER1.) Keep records 2.) Use a hand lens 3.) Learn about symptoms 4.) Carry an index card What are 2 kinds of drift? - ANSWER1.) Particle drift: (The movement of fine particles (droplets or dust) through the air while the pesticide is being applied) 2.) Vapor drift: (The movement of the pesticide in the form of a gas or vapor during or after application) What is a Buffer? - ANSWERThis is the non treated zone between the area to be treated and sensitive areas such as ponds, streams, wells, and drains What is a Re-entry period? - ANSWERThe length of time that must pass before anyone can enter a treated area Resistance to pesticides come from... - ANSWERUsing the same pesticides over and over again What will happen to Pesticides in the soil over time? - ANSWERThey are eventually broken down by bacteria and fungi When should you apply a pesticide? - ANSWERWhen pests are abundant enough cause unacceptable damage What hand lens magnification is recommended for insect identification? - ANSWER5 power to 10 power What should you do in an IPM program? - ANSWERProduce healthy plants that can resist pests Why should pesticide application be the last choice in pest management? - ANSWERBecause they are labeled for use only on specific pests and types of plants and because it is safer to use other controls What is Integrated pest management (IPM) ? - ANSWERIt is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment What is Phytotoxicity? - ANSWERA toxic effect by a compound on plant growth What is Pesticide breakdown? - ANSWERThe breakdown of pesticides into non-toxic substances from bacteria and fungi in the soil What is a Threshold? - ANSWERA point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken What are the strategies that delay the development of pesticide resistance? - ANSWERUsing a pesticide only when needed and choosing alternative pesticides from different chemical classes What is an Indicator plant? - ANSWERPlants that can indicate the onset of a pest infestation What does proper mowing mean? - ANSWERUsing sharp mower blades to make a clean cut What do you need to do to promote healthy turf and reduce disease? - ANSWERWater thoroughly when you first see wilting What should you do when fertilizing? - ANSWERDetermine fertilizer need through results of a soil test Cool-season cultivars... - ANSWERCan be mixed to minimize disease What does good soil drainage do? - ANSWERPromotes healthy turfgrass What are the 3 major geographical regions in the southeastern U.S.? - ANSWER1.) Mountains: (Cool-season grasses) 2.) Piedmont: (The transitional zone where both warm and cool-season grasses are used) *Cool-season gasses do better in the upper-piedmont region *Warm-season grasses do better in the lower-piedmont region 3.) Coastal plain: (Warm-season grasses) What are 4 mistakes in turf plant management that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest problems? - ANSWER1.) Not enough water 2.) Not aerating 3.) A lot of thatch 4.) No regular mowing What are 3 site problems that could contribute to poor turf stands and pest problems? - ANSWER1.) Poor drainage 2.) Shade 3.) Humidity What are Cultivars? - ANSWERThe different plant groups within a species What is Compaction? - ANSWERThis is when the ground gets hard from foot traffic, machine traffic, etc.. What are 4 of the major cool-season grasses? - ANSWER1.) Creeping bentgrass 2.) Tall fescue 3.) Kentucky bluegrass 4.) Perennial ryegrass What are 4 of the major warm-season grasses? - ANSWER1.) Bermudagrass 2.) Centipede grass 3.) Bahia grass 4.) Zoysia grass What is Certified seed? - ANSWERThe appropriate turf grass seed that meets the standards for that specific condition that you are using it for What does it mean when a grass goes dormant? - ANSWERThe grass has died off (turned brown) because of too cold or too hot of conditions and will green up when when the conditions are right again What is Thatch? - ANSWERA layer of living and dead plant stems, leaves, and roots that develop between the soil surface and green vegetation What is Dethatching? - ANSWERThe process of reducing or removing thatch What is Aeration? - ANSWERPractice that removes plugs from the soil and lets in air flow and nutrients