What does cultural intensity tolerance refer to in turfgrass?

Cultural intensity tolerance in turfgrass primarily refers to the grass's ability to withstand practices such as low mowing. This characteristic is crucial for maintaining certain types of turf, particularly in athletic fields or ornamental lawns, where aesthetics and performance may require the grass to be kept at a shorter height. Grass that has a high cultural intensity tolerance can endure more aggressive care routines, including frequent mowing, without suffering significant stress or damage.

In contrast, while resistance to pests and absorption of nutrients are important traits for overall grass health, they do not specifically address the concept of "cultural intensity tolerance." The height of grass growth is more a measure of growth potential rather than a tolerance to maintenance practices. Therefore, focusing on endurance against management practices, such as low mowing, clearly aligns with the definition of cultural intensity tolerance.