Which statement is true about shade tolerance rankings among common turfgrasses?

• A. Kentucky bluegrass has the least shade tolerance
• B. Tall fescue has the least shade tolerance
• C. St. Augustinegrass has the least shade tolerance
• D. Bermudagrass has the least shade tolerance

Answer: (A)

Shade tolerance is the ability of a turfgrass to keep growing, stay dense, and maintain color when light is limited. In shaded areas, grasses that tolerate shade will continue to photosynthesize and fill in, while those with low shade tolerance thin out and pale.

Among common turfgrasses, Kentucky bluegrass is typically less able to cope with reduced light than the others listed. It tends to slow growth and lose density under shade, whereas tall fescue generally maintains better density in partial shade, St. Augustinegrass is known for relatively good shade tolerance among warm-season grasses, and bermudagrass is often less shade-tolerant than bluegrass in some climates but can behave differently depending on conditions. In the context of this question, Kentucky bluegrass is the least shade-tolerant, which is why the statement is considered true.