ILLINOIS PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
TURFGRASS COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉First step of IPM for turf. Answer: developing and maintaining
healthy turf
◉healthy turf is obtained through. Answer: soil management,
turfgrass selection, and proper culture
◉desirable pH level for healthy turf. Answer: between 6 and 7 pH
◉pH readings below 6, what can you add?. Answer: lime
◉high-pH soils can be fixed by adding?. Answer: sulfur or acid
forming fertilizer (ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
◉how often should you pH test?. Answer: Every 3-5 years
,◉How to fix excessively wet soils?. Answer: By adding sand, clay or
organic matter
◉Name of cool season grasses. Answer: Kentucky bluegrass,
perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping
bentgrass
◉Name of warm season grasses. Answer: zoysiagrass,
bermudagrass, and buffalograss
◉Kentucky blue grass. Answer: Most common turfgrass in Illinois;
medium tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil
in sun
◉Perennial Ryegrass. Answer: Commonly mixed with Kentucky
bluegrass; particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work
becuase it germinates vigorously and strongly
◉Tall Fescue. Answer: Commonly used in low maintenance areas
like parks or golf course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
◉Fine-Leaf Fescues. Answer: Often combined with Kentucky
bluegrass for use in shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
, ◉Creeping Bentgrass. Answer: smooth, dense turf; primarily used
on golf-course greens and tees; high maintenace
◉Zoysiagrass. Answer: rugged turfgrass that turns brown during
cool and cold weather; warm season grasses
◉Bermudagrass. Answer: Grown occasionally in southern Illinois;
not able to tolerate cold weather; warm season grasses
◉What is the one-third rule. Answer: Never remove more than one-
third of the grass blade at mowing
◉How to properly irrigate turfgrass. Answer: water to depth of root
system; early in the day;well watered turf is attractive to grubs
◉suggested ratios for fertilizers. Answer: 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 which is 3
to 4 parts nitrogen to 1 part phosphorus to two parts potassium
(N,P,K)
◉best time of year to fertilize. Answer: early September with early
May second best and if 3rd application necessary then late fall
◉Never apply more than 1 pound of soluble nitrogen per ______
square feet. Answer: 1,000
TURFGRASS COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉First step of IPM for turf. Answer: developing and maintaining
healthy turf
◉healthy turf is obtained through. Answer: soil management,
turfgrass selection, and proper culture
◉desirable pH level for healthy turf. Answer: between 6 and 7 pH
◉pH readings below 6, what can you add?. Answer: lime
◉high-pH soils can be fixed by adding?. Answer: sulfur or acid
forming fertilizer (ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
◉how often should you pH test?. Answer: Every 3-5 years
,◉How to fix excessively wet soils?. Answer: By adding sand, clay or
organic matter
◉Name of cool season grasses. Answer: Kentucky bluegrass,
perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping
bentgrass
◉Name of warm season grasses. Answer: zoysiagrass,
bermudagrass, and buffalograss
◉Kentucky blue grass. Answer: Most common turfgrass in Illinois;
medium tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil
in sun
◉Perennial Ryegrass. Answer: Commonly mixed with Kentucky
bluegrass; particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work
becuase it germinates vigorously and strongly
◉Tall Fescue. Answer: Commonly used in low maintenance areas
like parks or golf course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
◉Fine-Leaf Fescues. Answer: Often combined with Kentucky
bluegrass for use in shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
, ◉Creeping Bentgrass. Answer: smooth, dense turf; primarily used
on golf-course greens and tees; high maintenace
◉Zoysiagrass. Answer: rugged turfgrass that turns brown during
cool and cold weather; warm season grasses
◉Bermudagrass. Answer: Grown occasionally in southern Illinois;
not able to tolerate cold weather; warm season grasses
◉What is the one-third rule. Answer: Never remove more than one-
third of the grass blade at mowing
◉How to properly irrigate turfgrass. Answer: water to depth of root
system; early in the day;well watered turf is attractive to grubs
◉suggested ratios for fertilizers. Answer: 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 which is 3
to 4 parts nitrogen to 1 part phosphorus to two parts potassium
(N,P,K)
◉best time of year to fertilize. Answer: early September with early
May second best and if 3rd application necessary then late fall
◉Never apply more than 1 pound of soluble nitrogen per ______
square feet. Answer: 1,000
