Regarding scalping, which statement is true?

Regarding scalping, which statement is true?

• A. Dull mower blades do not contribute to scalping per se
• B. Repeated scalpings decrease plant carbohydrate reserves
• C. Regular scalping improves root health
• D. Scalping has no effect on turf color

Answer: (B)

Scalping cuts away most of the leaf blade, leaving little surface to capture light. With much of the photosynthetic area removed, the turf must rely on stored carbohydrates in the crowns and roots to regrow. If scalpings happen repeatedly, those energy reserves are used faster than the plant can replenish them, leading to depleted carbohydrate stores. That energy shortfall weakens the plant, slows recovery, reduces vigor, and can cause color loss and increased susceptibility to stress. So repeatedly depleting carbohydrate reserves is the best explanation for why this statement is true. The other ideas don’t fit because scalping does affect color and vigor, frequent scalpings don’t improve root health, and blade sharpness changes cut quality more than the fundamental energy balance driving regrowth.

Scalping cuts away most of the leaf blade, leaving little surface to capture light. With much of the photosynthetic area removed, the turf must rely on stored carbohydrates in the crowns and roots to regrow. If scalpings happen repeatedly, those energy reserves are used faster than the plant can replenish them, leading to depleted carbohydrate stores. That energy shortfall weakens the plant, slows recovery, reduces vigor, and can cause color loss and increased susceptibility to stress. So repeatedly depleting carbohydrate reserves is the best explanation for why this statement is true. The other ideas don’t fit because scalping does affect color and vigor, frequent scalpings don’t improve root health, and blade sharpness changes cut quality more than the fundamental energy balance driving regrowth.