What effect does good soil drainage have on turfgrass health?

What effect does good soil drainage have on turfgrass health?

• A. It promotes healthy turfgrass.
• B. It reduces disease resistance.
• C. It increases drought susceptibility.
• D. It has no effect on turfgrass health.

Answer: (A)

Healthy soil drainage keeps the turf’s root zone aerated by letting excess water flow away, so roots aren’t sitting in waterlogged soil. When roots have access to oxygen, they grow more robustly and can take up water and nutrients efficiently, leading to stronger, more vigorous grass that recovers well from wear and stays dense and green. Good drainage also lowers surface humidity around the crown, which reduces the environment favorable to many turf diseases, so disease pressure is diminished. With a well-drained root zone, the grass develops a deeper, healthier root system that can access moisture during dry periods, improving drought tolerance. So, good drainage directly promotes healthier turfgrass. The other ideas don’t fit because drainage actually helps disease resistance rather than harms it, and it strengthens rather than weakens drought tolerance; it also clearly affects turf health rather than having no effect.

Healthy soil drainage keeps the turf’s root zone aerated by letting excess water flow away, so roots aren’t sitting in waterlogged soil. When roots have access to oxygen, they grow more robustly and can take up water and nutrients efficiently, leading to stronger, more vigorous grass that recovers well from wear and stays dense and green. Good drainage also lowers surface humidity around the crown, which reduces the environment favorable to many turf diseases, so disease pressure is diminished. With a well-drained root zone, the grass develops a deeper, healthier root system that can access moisture during dry periods, improving drought tolerance. So, good drainage directly promotes healthier turfgrass. The other ideas don’t fit because drainage actually helps disease resistance rather than harms it, and it strengthens rather than weakens drought tolerance; it also clearly affects turf health rather than having no effect.