Illinois Pesticide Applicator Turfgrass
Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
IPM for Turf - Correct answer-keeping pests at a level low enough to avoid major
damage
First step of IPM for turf - Correct answer-developing and maintaining healthy turf
healthy turf is obtained through - Correct answer-soil management, turfgrass
selection, and proper culture
desirable pH level for healthy turf - Correct answer-between 6 and 7 pH
pH readings below 6, what can you add? - Correct answer-lime
high-pH soils can be fixed by adding? - Correct answer-sulfur or acid forming
fertilizer (ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
how often should you pH test? - Correct answer-Every 3-5 years
How to fix excessively wet soils? - Correct answer-By adding sand, clay or organic
matter
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Name of cool season grasses - Correct answer-Kentucky bluegrass, perennial
ryegrass, tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping bentgrass
Name of warm season grasses - Correct answer-zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and
buffalograss
Kentucky blue grass - Correct answer-Most common turfgrass in Illinois; medium
tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil in sun
Perennial Ryegrass - Correct answer-Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass;
particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work becuase it germinates
vigorously and strongly
Tall Fescue - Correct answer-Commonly used in low maintenance areas like parks
or golf course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
Fine-Leaf Fescues - Correct answer-Often combined with Kentucky bluegrass for
use in shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
Creeping Bentgrass - Correct answer-smooth, dense turf; primarily used on golf-
course greens and tees; high maintenace
Zoysiagrass - Correct answer-rugged turfgrass that turns brown during cool and
cold weather; warm season grasses
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
IPM for Turf - Correct answer-keeping pests at a level low enough to avoid major
damage
First step of IPM for turf - Correct answer-developing and maintaining healthy turf
healthy turf is obtained through - Correct answer-soil management, turfgrass
selection, and proper culture
desirable pH level for healthy turf - Correct answer-between 6 and 7 pH
pH readings below 6, what can you add? - Correct answer-lime
high-pH soils can be fixed by adding? - Correct answer-sulfur or acid forming
fertilizer (ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea)
how often should you pH test? - Correct answer-Every 3-5 years
How to fix excessively wet soils? - Correct answer-By adding sand, clay or organic
matter
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Name of cool season grasses - Correct answer-Kentucky bluegrass, perennial
ryegrass, tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping bentgrass
Name of warm season grasses - Correct answer-zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and
buffalograss
Kentucky blue grass - Correct answer-Most common turfgrass in Illinois; medium
tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil in sun
Perennial Ryegrass - Correct answer-Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass;
particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work becuase it germinates
vigorously and strongly
Tall Fescue - Correct answer-Commonly used in low maintenance areas like parks
or golf course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant
Fine-Leaf Fescues - Correct answer-Often combined with Kentucky bluegrass for
use in shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance
Creeping Bentgrass - Correct answer-smooth, dense turf; primarily used on golf-
course greens and tees; high maintenace
Zoysiagrass - Correct answer-rugged turfgrass that turns brown during cool and
cold weather; warm season grasses
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
