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TURFGRASS GLOSSARY

T-Z Terms

Thatch

A tightly intermingled layer of undecomposed roots, stems, and shoots located between the soil surface and the green vegetation of the turf grass.

Three-Way (Herbicide, Two-, Three-, or Four-Way Broadleaf)

A combination product which is a mixture of either two, three, or four broadleaf herbicides that should be used when several different weed species present in the area being treated. Examples include Chaser 2 Amine (2,4-D amine + triclopyr), Trimec Classic (2,4-D amine, + mecoprop + dicamba), Escalade (2,4-D amine + fluroxypyr + dicamba), and Speed Zone (2,4-D ester + mecoprop + dicamba + carfentrazone).

Throat

The region between the sheath and blade on the ligule side of the leaf.

Tiller

A grass plant shoot arising in the axes of leaves in the unelongated portion of the stem.
Image for glossary term 'Tiller'.

Tolerance

The inherent ability of a species (turfgrass, weed, disease, insect, etc.) to withstand application of a pesticide (herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, etc.) at the normal dosage without being killed or injured. Specific tolerance may be associated with an anatomical or physiological characteristic in the plant or other organism.

Topdressing

A sand or prepared soil mix applied to the turf to help smooth the surface, enhance establishment, and reduce thatch buildup.

Toxicity

A term used to define a products hazard potential.

Triazine Herbicide (Herbicide, Triazine)

A class of herbicides which has inhibition of photosynthesis as the main mode of action. They are readily absorbed by both the roots and foliage of plants. This class of herbicides has tight restrictions due to concerns about atrazine leaching into groundwater. Triazines include atrazine (Purge, AAtrex), simazine (Princep, Regal Wynstar), and metribuzin (Sencor 75 Turf).

Trifoliate

Leaf consisting of three leaflets, e.g., clover.
Image for glossary term 'Trifoliate'.

Tuber

An underground stem modified for food storage that is attached to the root system as found in yellow nutsedge.
Image for glossary term 'Tuber'.

Turf

A covering of mowed vegetation, usually a grass.

Turf Tolerance (Tolerance)

The inherent ability of a species (turfgrass, weed, disease, insect, etc.) to withstand application of a pesticide (herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, etc.) at the normal dosage without being killed or injured. Specific tolerance may be associated with an anatomical or physiological characteristic in the plant or other organism.

Turfgrass

A species or cultivar of grass, usually of spreading habit, which is maintained as a mowed turf. North Carolina sits in the transition zone for cool- and warm-season turfgrasses: both types are grown here. Identifying the turfgrass species is critical to effective turfgrass management. Proper management depends on knowledge of the species growth habits, tolerances of cultural methods, and susceptibilities to damage from environmental stresses, including pests.

Two-, Three-, or Four-Way (Herbicide, Two-, Three-, or Four-Way Broadleaf)

A combination product which is a mixture of either two, three, or four broadleaf herbicides that should be used when several different weed species present in the area being treated. Examples include Chaser 2 Amine (2,4-D amine + triclopyr), Trimec Classic (2,4-D amine, + mecoprop + dicamba), Escalade (2,4-D amine + fluroxypyr + dicamba), and Speed Zone (2,4-D ester + mecoprop + dicamba + carfentrazone).

Two-Way (Herbicide, Two-, Three-, or Four-Way Broadleaf)

A combination product which is a mixture of either two, three, or four broadleaf herbicides that should be used when several different weed species present in the area being treated. Examples include Chaser 2 Amine (2,4-D amine + triclopyr), Trimec Classic (2,4-D amine, + mecoprop + dicamba), Escalade (2,4-D amine + fluroxypyr + dicamba), and Speed Zone (2,4-D ester + mecoprop + dicamba + carfentrazone).

Venation

Appearance of veins in the leaves. Leaf venation can be defined as pinnate, palmate, or parallel.
Image for glossary term 'Venation'.

Vernation

An arrangement of the youngest leaf in the bud shoot; rolled or folded.
Image for glossary term 'Vernation'.

Volatile

Likely to vaporize.

Warm-Season

A warm-season turfgrass has its optimum growth at temperatures between 80 and 95F. Warm-season grasses include bahiagrass, bermudagrass, carpetgrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass.

Weed

A plant growing where it is not wanted.

Wetting Agent

A chemical that aids in liquid-to-surface contact.

Whorl

Three or more flowers, branches, or leaves located at one node.
Image for glossary term 'Whorl'.
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