True/False: The term “sod” applies only to turf grown for
transplant purposes, either before it is harvested, in
transit, and for a period of time after it is laid, that is
until the turf is established.
True
True/False: Sod establishment is more labor intensive
than seeding.
True
The only way to practically establish a bunch-type grass
is with…
Seed
Which of the following is the best time of the year for
establishing from seed?
Later summer/early fall
True/False: A starter fertilizer should be applied to
newly laid sod.
False
The phenomena that occurs when clumped clippings
remain on the ground too long and cause stressed or
dead turf underneath is called the _________ Effect.
Silo
By far, what kind of grass is sold as sod in the
cool-season region?
None of the above (turf-type tall fescue, fine-leaf fescue,
perennial ryegrass, creeping bentgrass)
True/False: Research primarily done at MSU in the
1960s enabled sod producers to triple their production
on a per acre basis.
True
True/False: Given adequate moisture and favorable
temperatures, the most critical thing that ensures
germination is seed-to-soil impact.
True
True/False: In the years following the Korean War (1950
to 1955), there was a rapid increase in the number of sod
farms in Michigan.
False
In prior centuries, sod was usually harvested from
wet/lowland areas or seaside marshes, and on acidic,
sandy, or silty soils because those areas tended to be
what?
Less weedy than sites with better soil
True/False: There are two distinct windows, early fall
and late spring, that sod can be harvested.
False
Which of the following times of the year is the best for
establishing from sod?
Any of these times as long as irrigation is in place
Which of the following amounts most closely reflects the
wholesale cost per square yard of sod?
$1.00
True/False: Most of the early mechanized sod
equipment was mass produced by Henry Ford.
False
True/False: One may always properly refer to a turf as
being sod as long as it was established as such.
False
True/False: Newly laid sod should not be allowed to dry
down for at least six weeks after installation.
False
Which of the following herbicides would be best to kill all
vegetation during the initial phase of site preparation?
Round Up
True/False: Soil samples should be taken to a depth of at
least four inches.
False
Liming the soil as part of the seeding process can lead to
the fixation of what element?
Phosphorus
True/False: Fertilizer efficiency increases as soil pH
decreases below 6.0.
False
Downward movement of water is drastically impeded
when _______-textured soil overlays
_______-textured soil.
Fine; coarse
The most common material used as a hydromulch is…
Recycled paper
True/False: If different soil types are present, composite
soil samples should be assimilated from each distinctive
soil-type area.
True
During the Finish Grade step of Establishment, what
occurrence(s) aid(es) settling of the soil?
Irrigation and rainfall
True/False: Small amounts of sand incorporated into the
top 4 to 6″ can effectively alter soil texture.
False
True/False: Annual broadleaved weeds are the most
troublesome for establishing turf.
False
True/False: Soil sampling for turfgrasses should be
confined to the top four inches of soil.
True
Amending the soil with lime will ________ soil pH.
Raise
True/False: If different types of soil are present, a
representative soil sample can be assimilated by mixing
numerous subsamples taken across the entire area.
False
True/False: As a whole, warm-season turfgrasses can
tolerate salinity better than cool-season turfgrasses.
True
True/False: Perennial ryegrass has greater
low-temperature hardiness than Kentucky bluegrass.
False
Which of the following are important factors affecting
microclimates?
All of these are important (water, temperature, light, air)
True/False: Water-use rate is the total amount of water
needed for turfgrass growth minus the quantity lost via
evapotranspiration.
False
True/False: As a whole, cool-season turfgrasses can
tolerate atmospheric pollution better than warm-season
turfgrasses.
False
True/False: St. Augustinegrass has greater
low-temperature hardiness than tall fescue.
False
True/False: Creeping bentgrass has more drought
resistance than perennial ryegrass.
False
Which of the following turfgrasses has the best shade
tolerance?
St. Augustinegrass
True/False: Evapotranspiration does not include water
lost from leaf surfaces.
False
True/False: Once a turfgrass reaches maturity, its
microclimate is at an equilibrium and remains constant
until a different species is introduced.
False
Which of the following has the greatest heat hardiness?
None of these—all of these warm-season turfgrasses have
excellent heat hardiness (buffalograss, St. Augustinegrass,
bermudagrass, zoysiagrass)
True/False: St. Augustingrass is more prevalent than
centipedegrass in South Florida.
True
True/False: Kentucky bluegrass has greater cold
hardiness than perennial ryegrass.
True
In the southern U.S., annual bluegrass exists as a…
Winter annual
Which of the following is native to the U.S.?
Buffalograss
True/False: Tall fescue adaptation is restricted to the
humid zone.
False
Which of the following has the greatest low-temperature
hardiness?
Creeping bentgrass
The good ability of tall fescue to withstand drought is
generally attributed to its…
Deep root system
True/False: With turfgrasses, microclimatic adaptation
is often identified using USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
(same with ornamentals).
False
The temperature range at a 2-inch soil depth for optimal
top growth of warm-season turfgrasses is:
80-95 F
In the northern U.S., annual bluegrass exists as a…
Summer annual or as a perennial
The temperature range at a 2-inch soil depth for optimal
top growth of cool-season turfgrasses is:
60-75 F
The land area situated between the Cool Zone and the
Warm Zone is termed the __________ Zone.
Transition
Which of the following has the greatest low-temperature
hardiness?
Buffalograss
True/False: Bermudagrass has rolled vernation, and
zoysiagrass has vernation.
False
Which of the following turfgrasses does not have
stolons?
Kentucky bluegrass
Which of the following turfgrasses has rhizomes, stolons,
and folded vernation?
Bermudagrass
True/False: Centipedegrass has stolons and St.
Augustinegrass does not.
False
Which of the following turfgrasses has folded vernation,
boat shaped leaf tips, and a short ligule?
Kentucky bluegrass
Which of the following turfgrasses has rolled vernation
and a multi-ribbed leaf topside?
Turf-type tall fescue
Collars are either:
Broad, narrow, or divided
Which of the following turfgrasses has rhizomes, stolons,
and rolled vernation?
Zoysiagrass
True/False: Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass both have
folded vernation.
False
Ligules are either:
Membranous, hairy, or absent
True/False: Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass both have
rolled vernation.
False
Which of the following turfgrasses has folded vernation,
boat shaped leaf tips, and a somewhat long white ligule?
Annual bluegrass
Which of the following turfgrasses does not have
rhizomes?
Creeping bentgrass
Which of the following turfgrasses has a hairy ligule?
None of these turfgrasses (Kentucky bluegrass, perennial
ryegrass, creeping bentgrass, tall fescue)
Auricles are either:
Absent, clasping, or fringe of hairs
Which of the following is native to North America?
Buffalograss
Which of the following has a bunch-type growth habit?
Perennial ryegrass
Which of the following is native to Africa?
Bermudagrass
You go to Orlando for spring break and see green turf
and yellow turf. The green grass is most likely what
species?
Ryegrass
Which of the following has the finest texture?
Fine-leaf fescues
Which of the following is a warm-season turfgrass?
Zoysiagrass
Which one(s) of these has a spreading growth habit?
Kentucky bluegrass
True/False: Centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass are
both stoloniferous.
True
True/False: Golf courses in the southwest are
overseeded with annual bluegrass to provide green color
during the winter.
False
True/False: Spartan Stadium has a Kentucky bluegrass
field.
True
Which of these present-day countries includes the
general area where zoysiagrass originated?
None of these countries (Brazil, United States, Zimbabwe,
Russia)
You hear that an estate in Grand Rapids has a grass
tennis court. You can safely assume that it is what
species?
Creeping bentgrass
Which of the following is a warm-season turfgrass?
None of these turfgrasses (creeping bentgrass, Kentucky
bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, turf-type tall fescue)
True/False: Typical soil tests provide an analysis of the
major and minor nutrients that are plant available only.
True
The longer the ribbon that can be formed by handling a
moist soil, the higher the _______ content.
Clay
Michigan soils were mostly formed from what parent
material?
Glacial deposits
Which of the following parent materials is most closely
associated with the Michigan sod industry?
Organic deposits
True/False: Soils developed in forest settings tend to be
more fertile than those developed in grasslands.
F
True/False: Soils developed in forest settings tend to
have higher organic matter content than those
developed in grasslands.
False
True/False: Generally speaking, soil is approximately 50%
air plus water combined.
True
Which of the following is not a critical agent forA soil
horizon is a vertical section of the soil through its entire
profile. soil formation?
Relative alkalinity
Soil ___________ can form a contiguous network that
provides drainage and air movement.
Macropores
Which of the following is not a critical agent for soil
formation?
None of these answers (parent material, time, vegetation,
climatic conditions)
True/False: An established turf that is too acidic can be
effectively topdressed with agricultural lime to lower pH.
False
Which of the following parent materials was formed by
the forces of wind?
Loess deposits
Rank the following soil particles from largest to smallest.
Sand, silt, clay
True/False: Soils developed in forest settings tend to be
more acidic than those developed in grasslands.
True
When performing a “feel” assessment of soil texture, the
presence of a talc-like material on the hands indicates
than an appreciable amount of ________ is present.
Silt
True/False: Deposits of parent material must occur
before soil formation can begin.
False
Most of what eventually is deposited into our surface
waters and causes problems is or are:
Soil sediments
True/False: Probing the soil to a depth of four to six
inches is usually sufficient with turf soils.
True
True/False: Warm-season turfgrasses can’t tolerate a
soil pH that is above or below 6.5 to 7.2.
False
Which of the following do not have nodes?
