CO TURF QS TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What are the steps of diagnosing a problem in turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Determine the kind of
grasses involved
Find out why, if possible, the problem occurred
Determine if it can be corrected by management practices, soil modification, or pesticides
Check to see if a chemical is labeled for both the species and the problem
Recommend good cultural practices that will assist in recovery
What is IPM? - ANSWER-Integrated pest management
An approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
Does IPM aim to eliminate all pests? - ANSWER-No
Maintain them at tolerable levels
What are the five steps of IPM? - ANSWER-Education
Monitoring
Prevention
Intervention/Control
Evaluation and Planning
What is an action threshold? - ANSWER-A point at which pest populations or environmental
conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the two types of action thresholds? - ANSWER-Economic
Aesthetic
What is an economic action threshold? - ANSWER-Point at which pest populations or
environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken to prevent an economic
loss
What is an aesthetic action threshold? - ANSWER-Point at which pest populations or
environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken to prevent an aesthetic
loss
Example of a highly targeted chemical approach? - ANSWER-Pheromones to inhibit
reproduction in insects
Soil management - ANSWER-Very important in turfgrass management. pH of 6-7 is desired.
Need adequate water and oxygen.
Issues with soil management (7) - ANSWER-Excessively wet
Excessively dry
,Excessively acidic
Excessively alkaline
Prone to compaction
Impenetrable
Full of debris
What are turfgrass cultivars? - ANSWER-Types of grass species selected for specific
characteristics such as disease resistance, tolerance to unusual environments, and appearance
How do you provide tolerance to varied sites? - ANSWER-Plant at least 2 different species or
cultivars
What are examples of cultural practices for turfgrass management? (4) - ANSWER-Mowing
Fertilizing
Watering
Cultivating
What are the three important ingredients for turfgrass fertilizer management? - ANSWER-Type
of fert
Rate of fert
Timing of fert
What is the most important fertilizer element in maintaining turfgrass? - ANSWER-Nitrogen
What are the two forms of nitrogen in fertilizer? - ANSWER-Ammonium
Nitrate
What is fertilizer rate expressed as? - ANSWER-lbs of N per 1,000 sq. ft.
How much N should be applied per acre per application? - ANSWER-.5-1 lb
What type of sites does the turfgrass industry in Colorado include? - ANSWER-Lawns,
institutional and industrial grounds, golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational turf,
parks, roadsides, airports, and cemetaries
Most important factors in maintaining good turf (5) - ANSWER-Selecting the right grass
Mowing
Watering
Fertilizing
Thatch control
Types of cool season turfgrass (3) - ANSWER-Bluegrass
Tall fescue
Ryegrass
Type of warm season turfgrass (3) - ANSWER-Bermudagrass
, Zoysia
Buffalograss
When do problems develop with turfgrass? - ANSWER-When the grass is unable to withstand
environmental stress or when good management cannot offset the effects of environmental stress
What other element (besides N-K-P) do Colorado lawns need? - ANSWER-Due to high pH soils
here, Iron (Fe) is needed in fertilizer applications
Short term detrimental effects of mowing turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Temporary cessation of root
growth
Reduces carbohydrate production and storage
Created entry points for pathogens
Temporarily increases water loss
Reduces water absorption by roots
What is the recommended mowing height for lawns? - ANSWER-2.5-3 inches
Why is it better to leave clippings after mowing? - ANSWER-Rich in N and recycle P into the
soil
Decompose very quickly
What does the precise frequency of irrigating turfgrass depend on? (3) - ANSWER-Soil type and
infiltration rate
Turfgrass species
Transpiration rate
What are positive effects of aeration on turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Increases infiltration capacity
Stimulates root growth within holes
Increases shoot growth atop holes
Controls thatch
Improves responses to fertilizer
How often should you core cultivate (aerate)? - ANSWER-At least once per year. Ideally twice
or more
What should be taken into account when selecting a turfgrass species? (5) - ANSWER-The
planting site
The use of the turf
The desired level of visual quality
The amount of maintenance it would need
Availability and quality of water for irrigation
When should pesticides be used on turfgrass? - ANSWER-As a last resort after every other
option has been explored
ANSWERS
What are the steps of diagnosing a problem in turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Determine the kind of
grasses involved
Find out why, if possible, the problem occurred
Determine if it can be corrected by management practices, soil modification, or pesticides
Check to see if a chemical is labeled for both the species and the problem
Recommend good cultural practices that will assist in recovery
What is IPM? - ANSWER-Integrated pest management
An approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
Does IPM aim to eliminate all pests? - ANSWER-No
Maintain them at tolerable levels
What are the five steps of IPM? - ANSWER-Education
Monitoring
Prevention
Intervention/Control
Evaluation and Planning
What is an action threshold? - ANSWER-A point at which pest populations or environmental
conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken
What are the two types of action thresholds? - ANSWER-Economic
Aesthetic
What is an economic action threshold? - ANSWER-Point at which pest populations or
environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken to prevent an economic
loss
What is an aesthetic action threshold? - ANSWER-Point at which pest populations or
environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken to prevent an aesthetic
loss
Example of a highly targeted chemical approach? - ANSWER-Pheromones to inhibit
reproduction in insects
Soil management - ANSWER-Very important in turfgrass management. pH of 6-7 is desired.
Need adequate water and oxygen.
Issues with soil management (7) - ANSWER-Excessively wet
Excessively dry
,Excessively acidic
Excessively alkaline
Prone to compaction
Impenetrable
Full of debris
What are turfgrass cultivars? - ANSWER-Types of grass species selected for specific
characteristics such as disease resistance, tolerance to unusual environments, and appearance
How do you provide tolerance to varied sites? - ANSWER-Plant at least 2 different species or
cultivars
What are examples of cultural practices for turfgrass management? (4) - ANSWER-Mowing
Fertilizing
Watering
Cultivating
What are the three important ingredients for turfgrass fertilizer management? - ANSWER-Type
of fert
Rate of fert
Timing of fert
What is the most important fertilizer element in maintaining turfgrass? - ANSWER-Nitrogen
What are the two forms of nitrogen in fertilizer? - ANSWER-Ammonium
Nitrate
What is fertilizer rate expressed as? - ANSWER-lbs of N per 1,000 sq. ft.
How much N should be applied per acre per application? - ANSWER-.5-1 lb
What type of sites does the turfgrass industry in Colorado include? - ANSWER-Lawns,
institutional and industrial grounds, golf courses, athletic fields, and other recreational turf,
parks, roadsides, airports, and cemetaries
Most important factors in maintaining good turf (5) - ANSWER-Selecting the right grass
Mowing
Watering
Fertilizing
Thatch control
Types of cool season turfgrass (3) - ANSWER-Bluegrass
Tall fescue
Ryegrass
Type of warm season turfgrass (3) - ANSWER-Bermudagrass
, Zoysia
Buffalograss
When do problems develop with turfgrass? - ANSWER-When the grass is unable to withstand
environmental stress or when good management cannot offset the effects of environmental stress
What other element (besides N-K-P) do Colorado lawns need? - ANSWER-Due to high pH soils
here, Iron (Fe) is needed in fertilizer applications
Short term detrimental effects of mowing turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Temporary cessation of root
growth
Reduces carbohydrate production and storage
Created entry points for pathogens
Temporarily increases water loss
Reduces water absorption by roots
What is the recommended mowing height for lawns? - ANSWER-2.5-3 inches
Why is it better to leave clippings after mowing? - ANSWER-Rich in N and recycle P into the
soil
Decompose very quickly
What does the precise frequency of irrigating turfgrass depend on? (3) - ANSWER-Soil type and
infiltration rate
Turfgrass species
Transpiration rate
What are positive effects of aeration on turfgrass? (5) - ANSWER-Increases infiltration capacity
Stimulates root growth within holes
Increases shoot growth atop holes
Controls thatch
Improves responses to fertilizer
How often should you core cultivate (aerate)? - ANSWER-At least once per year. Ideally twice
or more
What should be taken into account when selecting a turfgrass species? (5) - ANSWER-The
planting site
The use of the turf
The desired level of visual quality
The amount of maintenance it would need
Availability and quality of water for irrigation
When should pesticides be used on turfgrass? - ANSWER-As a last resort after every other
option has been explored
