On high-sand rootzones, sand topdressing creates an increasingly favorable habitat for microbe activity.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

Microbial activity in turf rootzones hinges on moisture, organic matter, and available nutrients. In a high-sand rootzone, water drains quickly and the organic carbon content is often low, so microbes have limited food and longer-lasting moisture films to sustain them. Sand topdressing adds more inert sand to the surface, which tends to dilute any existing organic matter and can reduce moisture retention at the surface after irrigation or rain. This combination makes the habitat less favorable for microbial activity overall. Only when the topdressing includes organic material or nutrients would microbes be more active. So the statement isn’t accurate in typical situations.