One consequence of mowing the turf higher is:

• A. Deeper root growth and drought tolerance
• B. More shallow roots
• C. Increased weed competition
• D. Reduced root depth

Answer: (A)

Raising mowing height enhances root development and drought resilience because the plant keeps more leaf area for photosynthesis, producing greater carbohydrate reserves. Those stored energies can be allocated to the roots, encouraging deeper root growth. A deeper root system taps water from deeper soil layers, helping the turf withstand drought. Tall turf also shades the soil, reducing evaporation and maintaining soil moisture that roots can access. In contrast, mowing very short limits photosynthesis, often leading to less root growth and shallower roots, which reduces drought tolerance. Higher mowing can even help crowd out some weeds by creating a denser canopy, so increased weed competition isn’t a typical consequence.