Which statement about heat resistance is true?

Which statement about heat resistance is true?

• A. Tall fescue has greater heat resistance than perennial ryegrass.
• B. Perennial ryegrass has greater heat resistance than tall fescue.
• C. Creeping bentgrass has the greatest heat resistance.
• D. None of these; all have equal heat resistance.

Answer: (A)

Heat resistance in turf grasses refers to how well a grass can survive and stay productive during hot weather. Tall fescue typically shows greater heat tolerance than perennial ryegrass because of its deeper, more extensive root system and leaf adaptations that help maintain water status and photosynthesis when temperatures rise. Perennial ryegrass, while quick to establish and dense, generally declines more with heat and is less able to cope with high temperatures. Creeping bentgrass is a very cool-season grass that performs best in mild conditions and tends to struggle in heat, so it does not have the greatest heat resistance. Therefore, the statement that tall fescue has greater heat resistance than perennial ryegrass is true.

Heat resistance in turf grasses refers to how well a grass can survive and stay productive during hot weather. Tall fescue typically shows greater heat tolerance than perennial ryegrass because of its deeper, more extensive root system and leaf adaptations that help maintain water status and photosynthesis when temperatures rise. Perennial ryegrass, while quick to establish and dense, generally declines more with heat and is less able to cope with high temperatures. Creeping bentgrass is a very cool-season grass that performs best in mild conditions and tends to struggle in heat, so it does not have the greatest heat resistance. Therefore, the statement that tall fescue has greater heat resistance than perennial ryegrass is true.