The atmospheric condition where the air near the soil surface is cooler than the air above it, resulting in very little air movement is called what?

• A. Inversion
• B. Insect
• C. Lesions
• D. Ligule

Answer: (A)

A temperature inversion is when air near the soil surface is cooler than the air above it, creating a stable layer with very little vertical air movement. This typically happens on clear, calm nights when the ground cools and the cooler air stays trapped near the surface while warmer air sits above. Because the air doesn’t mix upward, droplets, vapors, or pollutants released near the ground don’t dilute upward and can remain concentrated near the surface, moving mainly with any light horizontal breeze. For turf management, that means spray applications can behave differently than in well-m mixed air: deposition stays more localized and the risk of local crop injury or residue buildup can increase, and timing or method may need adjustment to avoid poor performance. The other terms refer to living organisms or plant structures, not atmospheric conditions.