Which preventative measure can help reduce deicing salt injury on turfgrass?

Irrigating to leach salts is an effective preventative measure against deicing salt injury on turfgrass because it helps to wash away accumulated salts from the soil and root zone. Deicing salts, often used in winter to melt ice on roadways and sidewalks, can be highly detrimental to turfgrass health, leading to dehydration and root damage.

By applying water to the affected areas, the salts are diluted and moved deeper into the soil profile, where they are less likely to impact the grass roots directly. This practice not only reduces the concentration of harmful salts but also helps to improve the overall soil structure and nutrient availability, which is essential for the rejuvenation of the turfgrass during the growing season.

Other options, like adding more salt or maintaining dryness, would exacerbate the problem, as they would not address the salt buildup and could increase stress on the turf. Applying additional fertilizers might not effectively counteract the negative effects of the salts and could contribute to further damage if the turf is already stressed from salinity. Thus, leaching salts through irrigation is the most beneficial approach for protecting the turfgrass from salt injury.