CHAPTER 5 TURF MANAGEMENT
MOWING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The physiological health of the turf should also what? - Answer-play a role in
determining cutting height. For example, while the turf is recovering from damage
caused by pests, environmental stress, or improper management practices, it is best to
avoid close mowing so maximum root and shoot growth can occur.
The type of mower available will also play a role in what? - Answer-determining the
mowing height used. As discussed below, reel mowers are best suited to turfgrasses
and areas requiring very close (less than 1 inch or 2.5 cm) mowing. On the other hand,
rotary and flail mowers are more versatile and can be used when cutting heights up to 3
inches (7.5 cm) or higher are necessary.
Although a higher cut can be what? - Answer-advantageous under some conditions for
some species, too high a cut for prolonged periods can be just as bad as repeatedly
mowing the turf too close. For example, turf areas maintained at heights greater than 3
inches (7.5 cm) fail to form a uniform, close-knit turf. Shoots tend to droop and bend
over, and the turf takes on a puffy, unkept appearance; leaf texture becomes coarse
and unappealing
turf mowed to high tend to what - Answer-to thatch more severely and can be more
susceptible to disease. Although higher-cut turfs do allow for a degree of insulation from
temperature extremes, certain stoloniferous species are more prone to injury during
temperature extremes when cut high because the stolons become too elevated above
the ground.
scalping - Answer-is the excessive removal of green shoots during a single mowing,
causing a stubbly, brown appearance. After scalping, root and shoot growth stop
immediately. Depending on the species, prior health of the turf, environmental
conditions, and the severity of the scalping
effects of scalping - Answer-may last from several days to several weeks. In all cases,
regrowth is dependent on stored carbohydrates. If the carbohydrate reserves are not
adequate or if repeated scalping occurs, the turf will eventually thin and die. In situations
where the turf has grown excessively high, only a small portion of the leaf tissue should
be removed (following the one-third rule) and the cutting height should be lowered
gradually over a period of several days to several weeks.
mowing frequency - Answer-should be determined by the shoot growth rate and not by
convenience or a set weekly schedule. Shoot growth rate is dependent on
, environmental conditions, management practices, and species. Warm-season
turfgrasses will show most growth when temperatures are between 80 and 95° F (26.7
and 35° C), which will occur from late spring to late summer. Cool-season grasses will
grow more when temperatures are between 60 and 75° F (15.6 and 24° C).
(MOWING FREQUENCY)
Growth rate - Answer-is also affected by daylength. During the long days of the summer
months, the leaf growth of many turfgrasses is more upright. During the short days of
spring and fall the turfgrasses grow in a more decumbent or reclining shape. Under
optimum growth conditions, it might be necessary to mow a lawn as often as twice each
week. Some slower growing species, such as centipedegrass, require less mowing than
other species, such as bermudagrass. Excessive nitrogen fertilization and irrigation will
artficially stimulate shoot growth, thus increasing the need for frequent mowing.
The one-third rule - Answer-remove no more than one-third of the leaf tissue at any one
mowing. Exceeding the one-third rule may result in severe physiological shock to the
plant
(THE ONE-THIRD RULE)
Excessive defoliation stimulates what? - Answer-shoot growth, which requires the use
of stored carbohydrates; since shoot growth has priority over roots in carbohydrate
utilization, a drastic reduction in root growth may follow defoliation.
repeated failure of applying the one third rule will what? - Answer-will ultimately cause
the turf to thin and will reduce turf quality. As a general guide, mow the turf when it is 50
percent higher than the desired height. For example, turf maintained at a 2-inch (5-cm)
cutting height should be mowed when it reaches 3 inches (7.5 cm). Likewise, a turf area
maintained at 1 inch (2.5 cm) should be mowed when it reaches 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
Obviously, closer-cut turf areas will require more frequent mowing.
Mowing to frequently - Answer-Mowing the turf regularly without applying the one-third
rule can be detrimental to the health of the plant. Although shoot density may increase,
carbohydrate reserves and root growth decrease. The turf's succulence (amount of sap)
will also increase.
mowing to frequently does what - Answer-makes the turf susceptible to disease
because of the repeated wounding of the leaf tips, which allows fungi and other
pathogens to enter the plant more easily. Depending on the mowing equipment and soil
conditions, too-frequent mowing can result in increased wear and soil compaction.
Finally, mowing more often than necessary results in extra labor, expense, and wear
and tear on mowing equipment.
Mowing pattern - Answer-if neglected, can affect turf quality. Turfgrass leaves and
stems tend to grow or lean in the direction of mowing. Mowing in the same direction or
pattern each time may allow a buildup of clippings in rows that can result in excessive
thatch accumulation. Alternating the direction of mowing each time will help to distribute
MOWING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The physiological health of the turf should also what? - Answer-play a role in
determining cutting height. For example, while the turf is recovering from damage
caused by pests, environmental stress, or improper management practices, it is best to
avoid close mowing so maximum root and shoot growth can occur.
The type of mower available will also play a role in what? - Answer-determining the
mowing height used. As discussed below, reel mowers are best suited to turfgrasses
and areas requiring very close (less than 1 inch or 2.5 cm) mowing. On the other hand,
rotary and flail mowers are more versatile and can be used when cutting heights up to 3
inches (7.5 cm) or higher are necessary.
Although a higher cut can be what? - Answer-advantageous under some conditions for
some species, too high a cut for prolonged periods can be just as bad as repeatedly
mowing the turf too close. For example, turf areas maintained at heights greater than 3
inches (7.5 cm) fail to form a uniform, close-knit turf. Shoots tend to droop and bend
over, and the turf takes on a puffy, unkept appearance; leaf texture becomes coarse
and unappealing
turf mowed to high tend to what - Answer-to thatch more severely and can be more
susceptible to disease. Although higher-cut turfs do allow for a degree of insulation from
temperature extremes, certain stoloniferous species are more prone to injury during
temperature extremes when cut high because the stolons become too elevated above
the ground.
scalping - Answer-is the excessive removal of green shoots during a single mowing,
causing a stubbly, brown appearance. After scalping, root and shoot growth stop
immediately. Depending on the species, prior health of the turf, environmental
conditions, and the severity of the scalping
effects of scalping - Answer-may last from several days to several weeks. In all cases,
regrowth is dependent on stored carbohydrates. If the carbohydrate reserves are not
adequate or if repeated scalping occurs, the turf will eventually thin and die. In situations
where the turf has grown excessively high, only a small portion of the leaf tissue should
be removed (following the one-third rule) and the cutting height should be lowered
gradually over a period of several days to several weeks.
mowing frequency - Answer-should be determined by the shoot growth rate and not by
convenience or a set weekly schedule. Shoot growth rate is dependent on
, environmental conditions, management practices, and species. Warm-season
turfgrasses will show most growth when temperatures are between 80 and 95° F (26.7
and 35° C), which will occur from late spring to late summer. Cool-season grasses will
grow more when temperatures are between 60 and 75° F (15.6 and 24° C).
(MOWING FREQUENCY)
Growth rate - Answer-is also affected by daylength. During the long days of the summer
months, the leaf growth of many turfgrasses is more upright. During the short days of
spring and fall the turfgrasses grow in a more decumbent or reclining shape. Under
optimum growth conditions, it might be necessary to mow a lawn as often as twice each
week. Some slower growing species, such as centipedegrass, require less mowing than
other species, such as bermudagrass. Excessive nitrogen fertilization and irrigation will
artficially stimulate shoot growth, thus increasing the need for frequent mowing.
The one-third rule - Answer-remove no more than one-third of the leaf tissue at any one
mowing. Exceeding the one-third rule may result in severe physiological shock to the
plant
(THE ONE-THIRD RULE)
Excessive defoliation stimulates what? - Answer-shoot growth, which requires the use
of stored carbohydrates; since shoot growth has priority over roots in carbohydrate
utilization, a drastic reduction in root growth may follow defoliation.
repeated failure of applying the one third rule will what? - Answer-will ultimately cause
the turf to thin and will reduce turf quality. As a general guide, mow the turf when it is 50
percent higher than the desired height. For example, turf maintained at a 2-inch (5-cm)
cutting height should be mowed when it reaches 3 inches (7.5 cm). Likewise, a turf area
maintained at 1 inch (2.5 cm) should be mowed when it reaches 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
Obviously, closer-cut turf areas will require more frequent mowing.
Mowing to frequently - Answer-Mowing the turf regularly without applying the one-third
rule can be detrimental to the health of the plant. Although shoot density may increase,
carbohydrate reserves and root growth decrease. The turf's succulence (amount of sap)
will also increase.
mowing to frequently does what - Answer-makes the turf susceptible to disease
because of the repeated wounding of the leaf tips, which allows fungi and other
pathogens to enter the plant more easily. Depending on the mowing equipment and soil
conditions, too-frequent mowing can result in increased wear and soil compaction.
Finally, mowing more often than necessary results in extra labor, expense, and wear
and tear on mowing equipment.
Mowing pattern - Answer-if neglected, can affect turf quality. Turfgrass leaves and
stems tend to grow or lean in the direction of mowing. Mowing in the same direction or
pattern each time may allow a buildup of clippings in rows that can result in excessive
thatch accumulation. Alternating the direction of mowing each time will help to distribute
