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Click a chapter to view what it covers!
Chapter 1 - Turfgrass Morphology, Growth, and Physiology
Chapter 2 - Turfgrass Identification, Adaptation, and Use
Chapter 3 - Soils
Chapter 4 - Turfgrass Establishment
Chapter 5 - Fertilization
Chapter 6 - Mowing
Chapter 7 - Irrigation
Chapter 8 - Weeds
Chapter 9 - Turfgrass Insects
Chapter 10 - Turfgrass Diseases
Chapter 11 - Pesticides
Chapter 12 - Turfgrass and the Environment
Chapter 13 - Solutions to Common Turfgrass Problems
Chapter 14 - Customer Relations and the Importance of Professionalism
Chapter 1 - Turfgrass Morphology, Growth, and Physiology
Learning Objectives:
* How to tell the difference between monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants.
* Why an overall understanding of the growth and development of the turfgrass plant is important.
* How to identify the primary structures of the grass plant and explain their functions.
* How photosynthesis, respiration, and stored carbohydrates function in plant metabolism.
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Chapter 2 - Turfgrass Identification, Adaptation, and Use
Learning Objectives:
* Where the five climatic zones of turfgrass adaptation are located and what the characteristics of each are.
* How to identify the major turfgrass species.
* What growth, adaptation, use, establishment, and maintenance characteristics distinguish the major cool-and-warm-season turfgrasses.
* How turfgrass mixtures and blends can be important management tools.
* What factors should be considered when selecting a turfgrass species for a particular site.
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Chapter 3 - Soils
Learning Objectives:
* How soil is defined in relation to turfgrass management.
* How various horizons compose a soil profile.
* What physical and chemical properties of soils influence plant growth, including texture, structure, and cation exchange capacity.
* How the organic components of soils (both living and non-living) influences plant growth.
* How air and water are retained in different types of soil.
* Why soil drainage is important and how to ensure good soil drainage.
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Chapter 4 - Turfgrass Establishment
Learning Objectives:
* How the new turfgrass site should be prepared for planting.
* How to use label information to get the best seed.
* When to establish cool-and-warm-season turfgrasses.
* What methods can be used to establish turfgrasses.
* How to renovate a declining stand of turfgrass.
* How to use winter overseeding to maintain turf appearance year-round.
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Chapter 5 - Fertilization
Learning Objectives:
* What mineral nutrients turfgrass plants require, what these nutrients do, and how to recognize deficiency symptoms.
* How to read a fertilizer label.
* What characteristics are associated with fast-release and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and the importance of each.
* How to determine the fertility requirements of turfgrasses.
* How rates, frequency, and timing of application influence the success of a fertilization program.
* How to apply fertilizers to turfgrass areas.
* How to avoid fertilizer burn on turfgrasses.
* How to make calculations necessary to buy and apply fertilizers.
* How to calibrate both rotary and drop-type fertilizer spreaders.
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Chapter 6 - Mowing
Learning Objectives:
* Why mowing is the most fundamental practice in turfgrass culture.
* How mowing affects the physiology and growth of turfgrasses.
* What factors determine the best cutting heights for turfgrasses.
* How to use the one-third rule of thumb to determine mowing frequency.
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of reel and rotary mowers.
* Why is it important to use or recycle grass clippings.
* What growth regulators are and how they can reduce the need for mowing.
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Chapter 7 - Irrigation
Learning Objectives:
* Why proper irrigation is one of the most challenging aspects of turfgrass management
* What factors should be considered when planning a turfgrass irrigation program.
* How to recognize the visual symptoms displayed by turfgrasses under water stress.
* What cultural practices influence water use rates and drought hardiness.
* How wetting agents are used in turfgrass culture.
* How to conserve water.
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Chapter 8 - Weeds
Learning Objectives:
* Why weeds have the unique ability to persist under unfavorable conditions.
* How climatic conditions and soil factors as well as various cultural practices influence the occurrence of weeds in turfgrass areas.
* How good turfgrass cultural and sanitary practices help prevent weed encroachment.
* Which categories of herbicides are important in turfgrass weed control.
* How to control annual and perennial grasses as well as broadleaf weeds in turfgrass.
* How to identify the major grassy and broadleaf weeks found in turfgrass
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Chapter 9 - Turfgrass Insects
Learning Objectives:
* What two types of developmental changes occur in insects.
* How insects damage turf.
* How to identify the characteristics and life cycles of insects that attack turfgrass.
* How to diagnose turfgrass injury caused by insects.
* How to detect the presence of injury-causing insects in turf.
* What the principles of insect pest control in turf are.
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Chapter 10 - Turfgrass Diseases
Learning Objectives:
* How disease-causing fungi infect plants and how the infection is spread.
* How to diagnose turfgrass diseases.
* How to identify the symptoms, affected turfgrasses, associated conditions, and possible control measures for the major diseases of turfgrass.
* How nematodes injure turfgrasses and how they can be controlled.
* Why the environment, host, and pathogen are critical factors in developing a turfgrass disease control program.
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Chapter 11 - Pesticides
Learning Objectives:
* What six basic methods of pest control are.
* What are the characteristics of various pesticide formulations.
* What information is found on the pesticide label and why it is important.
* How LD50 and LC50 are used to determine pesticide toxicity.
* What three ways pesticides move in the environment.
* How to handle, mix, and apply pesticides safely.
* What are the proper procedures for storing and disposing of pesticides.
* What precautions and procedures to follow when faced with a pesticide spill.
* What are the various types and uses of pesticide application equipment.
* What are the basic principles of integrated pest management.
* How to calculate the area of various turf sites.
* How to calibrate different types of pesticide application equipment.
* How to calculate pesticide rates.
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Chapter 12 - Turfgrass and the Environment
Learning Objectives:
* How turfgrass helps purify the air we breathe.
* How turfgrass plays a role in carbon dioxide/oxygen conversion.
* How turfgrass helps control soil erosion.
* How turfgrass aids in water purification and conservation.
* How turfgrass helps to control temperature.
* How turfgrass contributes to increased soil fertility.
* Why natural turf is superior to artificial turf as a playing field surface.
* How turfgrass improves our quality of life.
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Chapter 13 - Solutions to Common Turfgrass Problems
Learning Objectives:
* How to control excessive thatch accumulation.
* What management practices will help alleviate turfgrass stress caused by extreme temperatures and drought.
* Why most turfgrasses grow poorly under shaded conditions and what management practices can be used to improve shade tolerance.
* How to reduce turfgrass injury caused by excessive traffic.
* How to treat petroleum spills or leaks on turfgrass.
* How to treat a spill or misapplication of a pesticide to a turfgrass area.
* How turf colorants can be used as an alternative to overseeing dormant warm-season turfgrasses.
* What specific situations or problems may be helped by the use of a wetting agent.
* Why commercial growth enhancing products (biostimulants) may or may not work.
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Chapter 14 - Customer Relations and the Importance of Professionalism
Learning Objectives:
* Why communicating with a customer is important.
* How to communicate more effectively.
* Why professionalism is key to your company's success.
* How to turn complaints into a valuable communication tool.
* Why customer communication is advertising.
* What you can and cannot tell customers about the products you use.
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