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