Illinois Pesticide Applicator Turfgrass Latest Update 100% Pass

Illinois Pesticide Applicator Turfgrass Latest Update 100% Pass IPM for Turf keeping pests at a level low enough to avoid major damage First step of IPM for turf developing and maintaining healthy turf healthy turf is obtained through soil management, turfgrass selection, and proper culture desirable pH level for healthy turf between 6 and 7 pH pH readings below 6, what can you add? lime high-pH soils can be fixed by adding? sulfur or acid forming fertilizer (ammonium sulfate/nitrate or urea) how often should you pH test? Every 3-5 years How to fix excessively wet soils? By adding sand, clay or organic matter Name of cool season grasses Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue, and creeping bentgrass Name of warm season grasses zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and buffalograss Kentucky blue grass Most common turfgrass in Illinois; medium tolerance readily recovers, requires well-drained fertile soil in sun Perennial Ryegrass Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass; particularly useful for overseeding/renovation work becuase it germinates vigorously and strongly Tall Fescue Commonly used in low maintenance areas like parks or golf course roughs; especially drought and heat tolerant Fine-Leaf Fescues Often combined with Kentucky bluegrass for use in shady areas; poor to moderate wear tolerance Creeping Bentgrass smooth, dense turf; primarily used on golf-course greens and tees; high maintenace Zoysiagrass rugged turfgrass that turns brown during cool and cold weather; warm season grasses Bermudagrass Grown occasionally in southern Illinois; not able to tolerate cold weather; warm season grasses What is the one-third rule Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at mowing How to properly irrigate turfgrass water to depth of root system; early in the day;well watered turf is attractive to grubs suggested ratios for fertilizers 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 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 1,000 Properly cultivate grass 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 1-2 times per month;beginning when turf turns green in spring Most common turf insects in Illinois White grubs benefits of mapping locations of previous pests two ways weeds are commonly controlled cultural practice and herbicides Never remove more than how much when mowing one-third overfertilization can cause? will burn turf, cause roots to develop inadequately, heighten susceptibility to diseases bull thistle biennial; rose to reddish purple stiff spines, course hairs top, whitish hairs bottom; common during cooler seasons on poor open turf Mouseear chickweed perennial, shallow, fibrous roots weak hairy spreading stems;occurs in cool moist shaded areas Yellow nutsedge perennial; reproduces by tubers