1
Q
What are the 3 functions that soil serves for grasses?
A
- Support
- Provision of nutrients
- Moisture retention
2
Q
What are the 4 components of soil and their % composition?
A
- Minerals (45%)
- Organic Matter (5%)
- Air (25%)
- Water (25%)
3
Q
Define Soil Texture.
A
The size range of particles within the soil
4
Q
How do qualitative differ from quantitative?
A
Qualitative = “feel”
Quantitative = particle size analysis
5
Q
What determines a soils type?
A
The composition of soil textures
6
Q
What three things make up soil texture?
A
Sand, Silt, and Clay
7
Q
What do you measure to get a soils quantitative measurement?
A
The bulk density
8
Q
_______ is the weight of a volume of dry soil.
A
Bulk Density
9
Q
You have a soil that is packed down with a high weight per volume, what is most likely the type of soil?
A
Clay
10
Q
Your soil is loose and porous with a very low weight per volume, what type is it?
A
Sand
11
Q
Do turfgrasses prefer, as a whole, soils with a low or high bulk density?
A
Low Bulk Density
12
Q
What 3 components affect bulk density?
A
- Soil Texture
- Traffic
- Excess moisture
13
Q
Explain how excessive traffic on a Turfgrass affects the bulk density.
A
The soil will compact and result in less pore space and therefore, less room for the grass to grow.
14
Q
Name 3 ways a high bulk density affects Turfgrass growth.
A
- Physically impedes root growth
- Prevents water infiltration
- Reduces air-filled porosity
15
Q
What two compounds make up the pores in the soil? And which is higher in concentration?
A
- CO2 (highest concentration)
- O2
16
Q
What is the most important key to growing good turf?
A
Good drainage
17
Q
How would you achieve good drainage on the surface of turf?
A
Sloping area
18
Q
How is subsurface drainage achieved?
A
Either through holes poked through soil or a layer of gravel under the top soil
19
Q
Name 3 methods of sub-surface drainage.
A
- Sand based construction
- Drainage tiles
- Aerification
20
Q
What is the intermediate layer in the USGA greens purpose and what is it made up of?
A
Purpose: to prevent the root zone soil form mixing with the coarser drainage gravel
Makeup: 2-4” of fine gravel or grit
21
Q
How is the USGA green made up by layer from the top to bottom without an intermediate layer? (Include measurements)
A
12” Sand/ Peat
4” Gravel Blanket
Compacted subgrade with a perforated drainage pipe.
22
Q
Do you expect a USGA green to be wet or dry?
A
Dry, due to sand drainage and the drainage layers.
23
Q
What forces hold water or push water through the system of a USGA green?
A
Capillary
Head Pressure
Gravity
24
Q
What are some ways to make a green wetter or dryer?
A
Different size sands
Adding organic matter
Changing the depth of sand
25
What causes capillary forces to hold water in a green?
A buildup of organic matter
Improper top dressing sands
Excessive thatch
26
True/ False: it’s okay to carry heavy loads of sand onto the gravel when creating a green.
False, initial rough grade done with small dozer or skid steer
27
How should you ensure soil contact when springing a green?
topdress with sand
28
How does the California method of greens construction differ from the USGA?
There is no layer of gravel or peat.
29
How does the California method of greens construction cause differential drainage?
The lack of a gravel layer causes water to drain differently in an area with a drainage pipe than an area without a drainage pipe.
30
When is surface drainage important?
ALWAYS
31
What is the adequate slope for drainage?
1-2%
32
What are the crown measurements for a native soil football field versus a sand-based football field? Why are they different?
Native Soil: 12-18”
Sand-based: 6-12”
Why?: sand has a better internal drainage system, reducing the need for as steep of a slope.
33
What allows a soil to be able to hold nutrients?
It’s charge
34
What is the term for a soils ability to retain nutrients?
Cation Exchange Capacity
35
Who has the higher CEC, clay or sand?
Clay
36
T/F: Organic matter has a high CEC.
True
37
How must nutrient additions be added to a soil with a low CEC?
Lightly and frequently
38
What are the 3 steps to developing a turf fertilization program?
1. Understand basic differences in cool and warm season grasses.
2. Fundamentals and applications of soil testing.
3. Providing nitrogen based on desired results.
39
What nutrients are needed by turfgrasses?
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
40
What are 3 ways to determine is soil nutrients are adequate?
1. Turf performance
2. Soil testing
3. Tissue testing
41
What are some traits of turf performance?
Clipping production
Color
Recuperative potential
42
What is the major advantage of routine soil testing?
Reduces the change of a nutrient limitation.
43
What does soil pH measure?
The acidity or alkalinity of a soil.
44
What pH do most grasses prefer?
5.0 - 6.5 ( slightly acidic)
45
Is it better to fertilize minimally or over-fertilize?
Minimally
46
What does it mean if a bag of fertilizer has the numbers 24-45-0 on it?
There % composition of Nitrogen is 24%, P2O5 is 45%, and K2O is 0%.
47
What are the 4 main ways Nitrogen is lost from Turfgrass systems?
Removal of clippings
Leaching
Denitrification
Volatilization
48
How do plants gain the available nutrients?
Through fertilizer, the atmosphere, and organic materials.
49
What are the 2 compositions of Nitrogen plants can uptake?
NH4+ and NO3-
50
What are 2 pros and 2 cons of soluble fertilizers?
Pros: Cheap, fast response
Cons: Short residual activity, potential for burn with mis-application
51
Name 2 pros and 2 cons of slow release fertilizers?
Pros: avoid excess growth, long residual activity
Cons: cost/ unit is high, nutrient release may not time correctly for need
52
Name 2 pros and 2 cons of organic-based fertilizers.
Pros: reduced potential for burn, minimal loss due to leaching
Cons: low nutrient content, can produce odors
53
Define foliar fertilization.
Absorption of nutrients through the leaf of the plant.
54
How many shots do you get to establish a functional turf?
1
55
When are the most mistakes made with a turf?
During establishment
56
How can you prevent mistakes during turf establishment?
Planning and proper tools
57
List the 5 most common problems associated with turf establishment.
1. Poor drainage
2. Rough seed bed
3. Weed infestations
4. Disease
5. Improper fertilization
58
What are the 5 steps of turf establishment?
1. Establish appropriate grade
2. Plant
3. Mulch
4. Fertilize
5. Weed control
59
Why is a finish grade so important to the final turf product?
Ensures flat growth surface, you can’t get rid of the bumps once the grass is grown.
60
_____ smooth is the ultimate goal of finish grading.
Pool-table
61
True/ False: a tiller is a finish rake substitute.
False
62
Seed, Sod, Sprigs, and Plugs are all ____.
Planting methods of turfgrass
63
Which costs less? Seed or sprigs?
Seed
64
What are the two big challenges of seeding over sodding?
Weed control
Narrower time window
65
True/False: the end result is the same for both seed and sod if done correctly.
True
66
What is the consequence of high-quality seed?
Purity and germination
67
What are the 3 aspects of proper seeding?
High quality seed
Timing
Rate
68
What is the optimum amount of live seeds per square foot?
1000-2000
69
Which grass type has the smallest seed size? Largest?
Smallest: Centipede
Largest: Kentucky bluegrass
70
What is the difference between a mixture and a blend?
Mixture: multiple grass species and cultivars
Blend: same species, different cultivars
71
In what situations are drop spreaders better for seeding than rotary spreaders?
In smaller areas and areas where you want to ensure a lack of contamination. The edges of the greens.
72
Acidic fertilizer’s primary form of nitrogen is ___, which causes the pH to _____when absorbed.
NH+, decrease
73
True/ False: you should use quick-release fertilizers on new seedlings to ensure they have adequate amounts of Nitrogen.
False, that increases the risk of burn, using organic or slow-release are better.
74
What are 4 mediums for mulching new seeds?
1. grass clippings
2. wheat straw
3. wood fiber blankets
4. polyester blankets
75
What does it mean if there are little white fuzzies all over your new turf seedlings?
You have a Pythium disease on it due to too much moisture.
76
Hydroseeding is the application of seed in a ______.
Solution
77
Why would one prefer to hydroseed?
They have an easily erodible site
Good prep isn’t possible
Irrigation is unavailable
78
What five ingredients are possibly used in hydroseeding?
Seed
Fertilizer
Mulch
Tackifier
Water
79
What are the 2 types of agitators for hydroseeding
Mechanical Agitators
Pump (Jet) Agitators
80
Sod establishment is an excellent choice for (homeowners/ golf course managers).
Both, if it’s a new golf course with a short time window to open.
81
When repairing a college football field, (sod/ sprigs) is/are used most often.
Sod
82
The keys to good sod establishment include:
Good soil prep
Good sod
Proper installation
Maintenance
83
True/ False: if you lay sod down, without any prep, it will grow fine.
False
84
True/False: sod rows should be laid offset to ensure good growth.
True
85
When buying sod, as a turf company owner, you (should/shouldn’t) go out to visit the growers location beforehand.
Should, this ensures you see they are good or bad sod farmers.
86
When buying sod for the soccer World Cup, will it be better to get big rolls or small pads of sod?
Big Rolls
87
_____ - season grasses are commonly propagated by sprigs or plugs.
Warm
88
A sprig is a _____________.
Vegetative propagule that primarily results from stolen and/ or rhizome tissues
89
A Texas bushel is ___ cubic feet.
While a Georgia bushel euquals the sprigs obtained from 1 cubic yard of sod and equals ___ cubic feet.
1.25
0.4
90
In what types of places would you want to hydrosprig? What type of agitation is able to be used?
Hilly, Rocky, Poor Soils, Tight Areas
Mechanical agitation
91
Which species of grass is best for turf plugging?
Bermuda grass, it’s fast growing.
92
How should you control weeds during turf establishment?
Planning
Proper timing
Herbicides (fumigation, pre- and post-emergence)
93
Soil solarization is effective but why would you not want to use it for weed control?
It’s a long process
94
Which of the following are common ways to plant Turfgrass?
A. Seed
B. Sprigs
C. Sod
D. A and C
F. All of the Above
F. All of the Above
95
Which of the following pieces of information are found on the seed label?
A. % of each grass
B. % germination
C. presence of weeds
D. date it was tested
E. none of the above
F. all of the above
F. All of the above
96
T/F: Seeding is the least expensive method to plant Turfgrass.
True
97
T/F: If done properly, there is no difference in the final product between sod and seed.
True
98
T/F: The best time to seed cool-season grasses like fescue is early fall (September).
True
99
T/F: For over seeding, it is best to use lower seeding rates.
False
100
T/F: weed control is easier when seeding turfgrasses compared to using sod.
False
101
Bulk density is defined as:
A. The weight/ volume of a dried soil
B. The volume of a dried soil
C. The dry weight/ wet weight of soil
D. The percentage of pores in the soil
A. The weight/ volume of a dried soil
102
T/F: any sand can be used to build a USGA green.
False
103
T/F: organic amendments are often added to a sand-based athletic field or green to increase the nutrient-holding capacity.
True
104
In Arkansas, where would you take a soil sample for chemical analysis?
A. The department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science
B. The County Extension Office
C. Dr. Richardson’s Office
B. The county extension office
105
Which of the following should be done when taking soil samples from a landscape?
A. Sample areas separately if they have different soils or management
B. Obtain several small samples from an area and mix them
C. Remove the thatch and organic matter from the soil
D. All of the Above
D. All of the Above
106
T/F: all of the elements that are essential for plants come from the soil.
False
107
T/F: a soil nutrient with a positive charge is an anion.
False
108
Basic fertilizer’s primary form of nitrogen is _____, which causes the pH to _____ when absorbed.
NO2-, increase
109
To broadcast is to apply a ____ application of something to an area.
Uniform
110
Why would one want to install a California green over a USGA green?
To save money
111
What are capillary forces?
Forces that hold water in small soil pores
112
If a soil has many large pores and few small pores, what will that mean for the amount of water in the soil?
It will not be able to hold a lot of water
113
T/F: most fertilizers have the fertilizer grade on them.
False, ALL fertilizers have the fertilizer grade on them.
114
A fumigant is a volatile material that ______.
Kills soil pests
115
What is a herbicide fallow? Why would someone want one?
An area that is left unplanted for a period of time, done to eradicate weeds.
116
An _________ ___________ is an inorganic source of material that can be amended into the sand of a USGA green to enhance the cation exchange capacity. Examples are ______, ______, and ________.
Inorganic amendment; calcined clay, zeolites, and diatomaceous earth.
117
What typically causes leaching?
Excess water
118
What are 3 purposes of mulch?
Prevents erosion, protects the plant, and retains moisture
119
Nitrogen is required for the formation of ________ which is required for ________.
Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis
120
If you want your turf to be green quickly for a tournament, which nutrient element should you apply?
Nitrogen
121
You have a golf course with zoysia on the greens and Bermuda in the roughs, which species will require more Nitrogen?
Bermuda
122
Name the 3 types of grasses that are low N.
Zoysias, Centipede, and Fine fescues
Turfgrass Management
flashcards
Decks in class (3)
# Cards
