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ILLINOIS PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TURFGRASS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
IPM for Turf - (answers)keeping pests at a level low enough to avoid major
damage
First step of IPM for turf - (answers)developing and maintaining healthy turf
healthy turf is obtained through - (answers)soil management, turfgrass selection,
and proper culture
desirable pH level for healthy turf - (answers)between 6 and 7 pH
pH readings below 6, what can you add? - (answers)lime
high-pH soils can be fixed by adding? - (answers)sulfur or acid forming fertilizer
(ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
how often should you pH test? - (answers)Every 3-5 years
How to fix excessively wet soils? - (answers)By adding sand, clay or organic matter
Name of cool season grasses - (answers)Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass,
tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping bentgrass
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Name of warm season grasses - (answers)zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and
buffalograss
Kentucky blue grass - (answers)Most common turfgrass in Illinois; medium
tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil in sun
Perennial Ryegrass - (answers)Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass;
particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work becuase it germinates
vigorously and strongly
Tall Fescue - (answers)Commonly used in low maintenance areas like parks or golf
course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
Fine-Leaf Fescues - (answers)Often combined with Kentucky bluegrass for use in
shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
Creeping Bentgrass - (answers)smooth, dense turf; primarily used on golf-course
greens and tees; high maintenace
Zoysiagrass - (answers)rugged turfgrass that turns brown during cool and cold
weather; warm season grasses
Bermudagrass - (answers)Grown occasionally in southern Illinois; not able to
tolerate cold weather; warm season grasses
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What is the one-third rule - (answers)Never remove more than one-third of the
grass blade at mowing
How to properly irrigate turfgrass - (answers)water to depth of root system; early
in the day;well watered turf is attractive to grubs
suggested ratios for fertilizers - (answers)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 - (answers)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 -
(answers)1,000
Properly cultivate grass - (answers)when turf is actively growing; reduces soil
compaction and improves water and grass infiltration. NEVER do when turf stress
or weed germinate
How often should you scout - (answers)1-2 times per month;beginning when turf
turns green in spring
Most common turf insects in Illinois - (answers)White grubs
ILLINOIS PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TURFGRASS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
IPM for Turf - (answers)keeping pests at a level low enough to avoid major
damage
First step of IPM for turf - (answers)developing and maintaining healthy turf
healthy turf is obtained through - (answers)soil management, turfgrass selection,
and proper culture
desirable pH level for healthy turf - (answers)between 6 and 7 pH
pH readings below 6, what can you add? - (answers)lime
high-pH soils can be fixed by adding? - (answers)sulfur or acid forming fertilizer
(ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
how often should you pH test? - (answers)Every 3-5 years
How to fix excessively wet soils? - (answers)By adding sand, clay or organic matter
Name of cool season grasses - (answers)Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass,
tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping bentgrass
,2|Page
Name of warm season grasses - (answers)zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and
buffalograss
Kentucky blue grass - (answers)Most common turfgrass in Illinois; medium
tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil in sun
Perennial Ryegrass - (answers)Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass;
particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work becuase it germinates
vigorously and strongly
Tall Fescue - (answers)Commonly used in low maintenance areas like parks or golf
course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
Fine-Leaf Fescues - (answers)Often combined with Kentucky bluegrass for use in
shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
Creeping Bentgrass - (answers)smooth, dense turf; primarily used on golf-course
greens and tees; high maintenace
Zoysiagrass - (answers)rugged turfgrass that turns brown during cool and cold
weather; warm season grasses
Bermudagrass - (answers)Grown occasionally in southern Illinois; not able to
tolerate cold weather; warm season grasses
, 3|Page
What is the one-third rule - (answers)Never remove more than one-third of the
grass blade at mowing
How to properly irrigate turfgrass - (answers)water to depth of root system; early
in the day;well watered turf is attractive to grubs
suggested ratios for fertilizers - (answers)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 - (answers)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 -
(answers)1,000
Properly cultivate grass - (answers)when turf is actively growing; reduces soil
compaction and improves water and grass infiltration. NEVER do when turf stress
or weed germinate
How often should you scout - (answers)1-2 times per month;beginning when turf
turns green in spring
Most common turf insects in Illinois - (answers)White grubs
