Mowing is a primary cultural practice on turfgrasses to sustain quality and function, in terms of providing an area that is aesthetically pleasing with uniform appearance. Mowing is also functional by providing recreational areas and a playing surface, such as with a baseball field where bounce of the ball is important or on putting greens where a true putting surface is needed. Mowing is interrelated to other cultural practices, such as irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide applications, along with season and climate.

Basically, mowing removes a portion of shoots including leaves and stems. Physiologically, mowing removes tissue that is involved in the production of carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis and tissue that is involved in the production of plant hormones, which regulate plant growth. Mowing is a form of plant stress.

Many warm-season turfgasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, possess a creeping growth habit, spread by stolons and/or rhizomes, and require a lower HOC. In terms of turfgrass use, the mowing requirements (HOC and mowing frequency) are different for a turfgrass used in a park compared to a turfgrass used in a sports field. In terms of leaf growth rate, the mowing requirements of cool-season turfgrasses are different during spring and fall compared to during summer and winter, while the mowing requirements of warm-season turfgrasses are different during the summer compared to during the spring, fall, and winter.

Mowing Effects
Specific effects of mowing include its impact on aboveground and belowground plant growth. Mowing at a lower HOC (within the mowing tolerance range for a particular turfgrass species) generally results in a higher quality: more shoots and leaves per unit area (higher density); narrower leaves (finer texture); more chlorophyll per unit area (greener turf); and smaller tillers (finer texture). It also alters growth: increased shoot growth per unit area; decreased root growth and mass and shallower roots; and decreased rhizome and stolon growth.

Reduced rooting can result in adjusted fertilization and irrigation practices. A relatively lower HOC can also result in reduced traffic and wear tolerance due to: smaller tillers and shoots; increased succulence of shoots; reduced plant biomass per unit area; reduced root biomass; shallower root growth; reduced carbohydrate reserves; and reduced recuperative potential. Generally, turfgrasses are less tolerant when exposed to stress, such as drought, shade, and high temperatures - primarily cool-season turfgrasses. A relatively lower HOC would result in mowing more frequently when following the one-third guide of mowing turfgrasses (removing only one-third of vertical shoot growth at each mowing).

Conversely, a higher HOC would result in mowing less frequently. The one-third guide allows for the least amount of physiological shock due to mowing along with allowing the root system to adapt and potentially increase in size. Mowing at a lower HOC also can result in altering the turfgrass community composition. For example, a lower HOC during the warm season can give Bermuda grass an advantage over tall fescue.

Mowing turfgrass below the mowing tolerance range or mowing too frequently can result in: carbohydrates reserves being depleted; decreased shoot growth; decreased shoot density; decreased sod-forming ability; decreased root mass and depth; turfgrasses prone to weed invasion; and turfgrasses very prone to stress. Mowing turfgrasses above the mowing tolerance range or mowing too infrequently can result in turfgrass that exhibits steaminess, puffiness, and excessive thatch. Turfgrass is also prone to scalping. Moderate mowing practices affect sod formation by stimulating rhizome, stolon, and tiller development.

Conclusion
Proper mowing practices involve adjusting to several factors: HOC is within the mowing tolerance range for the turfgrass being used; climate and stress; shade; applications of irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides; mowing during turfgrass establishment; and following the one-third guide for mowing and associated adjustments for mowing frequency. However, HOC and mowing frequency are often dictated by practical considerations, such as how the turfgrass is being used and available resources rather than sound agronomics. Lastly, it is good to remember the stresses that turfgrasses are exposed to. Mowing and temperature, along with traffic, can create a difficult situation for plant growth. It would be practical to recall the "art of turfgrass management" with the "science."