SCSC 105 Test #2 Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts from SCSC 105 Test #2 Overview and Key Concepts lecture notes.

Agroecosystem

Ecosystems modified to produce food, fiber, and/or shelter.

Nitrate

NO_3^-

Ammonium

NH_4^+

Simplified agroecosystems risks

Limited plant diversity and problems become magnified.

Dust Bowl

A historical example of a simplified agroecosystem, particularly wheat farming in the 1930s.

Soil Functions

Important functions served by soils include anchoring plants, storage of water and nutrients, and providing habitat for soil organisms.

Soil forming factors

The five factors are climate, organisms, relief (topography), parent material, and time.

Soil Orders in Texas

The seven predominant soil orders are Mollisols, Vertisols, Aridisols, Ultisol, Alfisols, Entisols, and Inceptisols.

Soil Textural Triangle

A tool used to classify soil by texture based on the percentage of sand, silt, and clay.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

The amount of exchangeable cations a soil can sustain.

Fertilizer analysis or grade

Amount of nutrients contained in a commercial fertilizer, displayed on the label for consumer protection.

N-P-K ratio

Must include the ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, such as 20-10-5.

Broadcast

Applied evenly across the entire area.

Injection

Water soluble liquids (or gases) placed under soil surface near roots.

Banding

Applied at planting within 2 inches of the row.

Popup fertilizers

Placed in the seedbed with the seed.

Side-dressing

Placed alongside the row (mid-season).

Fertigation

Injecting the fertilizer in the irrigation water.

Soil erosion

Accelerated loss of soil through the action of wind or water.

Weed

A plant growing where it is not wanted.

Critical Weed Free Period

The window of time in the growing season that weeds cause the largest reduction in yield, occurring 4-6 weeks after crop emergence.

Methods of weed control

Includes prevention, cultural practices, biological control, mechanical or manual control, and chemical control.

Morphology

Provides form and structure to the plant.

Anatomy

The internal plant tissue structure.

Functions of leaves

Where photosynthesis and transpiration occur.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, represented by the equation 6CO2 + 6H2O ’ C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Meristems

Regions of active cell division that allow the plant to grow new tissues