1. Intro to Turf

Slide 1 LHAP 106 - TESM: Introduction Presentation by School of Environment staff. Adapted by E. Kawahara Slide 2 Intro to T.E.S.M Before we get started… check out Moodle: Instructor Contact Info Presentations, Assignments and Quizzes Printable Module style information Schedule Slide 3 What to Expect... Class starts on time Cell phones on ‘silent’ Participation is encouraged! If I write something on the board, you should write it in your notes If I ask a question and you are not sure of the answer, write it in your notes If I say, “that makes a GREAT test question” write it in your notes If something in a presentation is bold, italicised and/or underlined or highlighted, you should write it in your notes. Some QUIZZES are “Take Home” (see next slide). Assignment due dates are fixed dates and times. (plan ahead with test centre) Final Test is Closed book, in class (to mimic the Provincial Exam) Slide 4 Take Home Quizzes - the rules Quizzes will open the afternoon that we finish a topic and remain open for the weekend, closing at 9:00 PM (don’t leave it to the last minute - plan your weekend). Take home quizzes should not be considered “Open Book” You will have a time limit (2.5x how long it takes ME, unless you have an accomodation) This is enough time for the average student (most write at my speed or faster) This is not enough time for stewing. If unsure, go with your gut, pick an answer, and then flag it for review later. Make sure I know if you have accommodations for extra time When your time is up, it’s up. No mercy. If you finish and you have EXTRA time Go back over your flagged questions and check again You may check your notes see if you can find answers (so yes, they are actually open book if you are a fast writer). To begin with - have a blank piece of paper, a pencil and calculator there (for the math tests). That way you can take notes. Do not take tests on phones or tablets, the formatting is usually crappy. Slide 5 Take Home Quizzes - tips and tricks Treat this like an exam It’s your opportunity to practise for the final which WILL be cumulative (as will the provincial) Study properly, like it's an exam. Make yourself a really good “cheat sheet” / Study guide Isolate the top 5-10 pieces of information about each topic we’ve discussed Use the self checks and reviews - I LITERALLY made them WITH THE QUIZ OPEN IN FRONT OF ME. Make review sheets based on them “Teach” each other or group study using a room in the Hive or the LRC Make sure your notes have pictures and colours, not just words. Your quiz will not be easy, but it WILL be multiple choice. I aim for 40-60% black and white questions I am for 25-30% “in order to answer, you need to know other information” I aim for 10-20% advanced application questions. Generally about half the test will not be in your notes. You will have to apply your knowledge to answer questions. (that’s why the reviews seem so hard). If there’s an issue with the quiz or a specific question, please email me. If you have a problem, email me immediately. I may not answer until the following work day, but I look at timestamps and take them into consideration. (family emergency, internet crash, computer crash…) Slide 6 Questions? Slide 7 Why Turfgrass?? This course emphasizes turf because This is the only time in Technical Training that we discuss it specifically. You will get maintenance and use instruction for all other plants in your ID classes, and A lot of the environmental pollution from our industry is due to improper turf care and snow removal. It is a hot topic in sustainability Urban Heat Island Effect, Carbon capture, Water Purification BUT Water demands, Carbon footprint (of care), Salts pollution A part of the design toolbox Historically provided care for animals Then became a place for repose/indicator of wealth Used as a design feature now Has functional uses The only groundcover for many sporting purposes The best erosion control (sometimes) Pollutant absorption People will ask! Slide 8 Turfgrass ID Turf is the plural and includes the upper medium of growth for the community Module pgs 4-9. You can skip pages 10-12. Slide 9 Turf is made of: The rootzone - soil containing organic matter and microorganisms Thatch - dead and decaying material, along with some vegetative tissues. Includes microorganisms. Found in the space between the soil and vegetative area. Critical for health of the turfgrass stand. Vegetation - the sheath and leaf material Note, we do not consider the inflorescence as part of turf as it is mown off in sports and lawn settings. It is allowed to develop in utility turf, though. Slide 10 Types of Turf Cultural intensity changes depending on the function of the turf stand. Another variable is if it’s a monostand or a polystand. Slide 11 The First Steps in Turf Identification: How are Monocots and Dicots Different? Monocots: Parallel venation, Single cotyledon, flower parts in threes Dicots: Netted venation, Two cotyledons. What is Meristematic Tissue? Where is it normally found in each type of plant? Slide 12 Crown below or at Soil Level Slide 13 Vegetative Reproduction Slide 14 Vegetative Reproduction Continued: Tillers May form bunchy growth Does not have as many regenerative resources Scalping can be devastating. Regenerates most of its root system each spring. Rhizomes Typically provides the best recuperative capacity Adventitious roots are insulated and protected In the spring, they have the competitive advantage Stolons Adventitious shoots May not be very well rooted Can cause patchy / circular growth Also regenerates most of its root system each spring. Slide 15 How To ID a Grass? NICE TO KNOW, not need to know (yet, you may need it in fourth year with Wendy). Flowers! (If they have them… but Turf usually doesn’t) Growth habit can be a good clue Vernation (are they rolled or folded?) Ligule Prominent, not prominent? Auricle Sheath characteristics Colour? Overlapping or split? Blade characteristics Wide/narrow Colour, Glossy/Dull?