Horticulture Exam 2

What is the A horizon?

Topsoil

What is the B Horizon

Subsoil

What is the C Horizon?

Parent Material

What is the R Horizon

Bedrock

What Horizon does root activity occur?

A

How do you determine a hardpan?

Water Absorption

Mineral components from smallest to largest

are classified as clay, silt, and sand.

Describe properties of clay -vs- sand soils

rounded/irregular shapes

What is ideal soil type for plants?

Loamy Soils

What is CEC

The capacity of soil to hold/attract nutrients

What parts of the soil water and soil are negative/positively charged?

• Soil negative

• Water positive

What is absorption?

The polar attraction of negative soil particles to positive water particles

Why is air space important for plant roots

So they can breath

What is adhesion?

The attraction of solid materials to liquids

What is cohesion?

the sticking together of particles of the same substance

What are the capillary properties of water?

Water movement through the soil horizon and through the plants vascular tissues

What is hygroscopic water?

water tightly held by the soil and is unavailable for plant functions

What is Rhyzobia?

Symbiotic relationship with plant roots of members of the pea family

What is Cynobacteria?

A special type of bacteria with chlorophyll which photosynthesize

What os Mycorrhiza?

Funi that live inside ot outside protruding into nearby soil, increasing nutrient and water absorption capacity

Which plant are not legumes?

Peas

Ideal soil ph for plant growth?

6

What do sulfates do to soil?

Add acidity

What do calcium carbonates do to soil?

Neutralizes soil acidity

What are the 3 non-minerals provided by water and air?

Hydrogen - Oxygen - Carbon

N shortage in plants shows up how?

Yellowing of the leaves 

Nitrogen does what for plants?

Plant growth

Phophorus does what for plants?

Flowering, fruiting, root development, and maturation

Potassium does what for plants?

Starch formation, movement of sugars, and formation of chlorophyll

What gas is 70% of our atmosphere?

Nitrogen

N-P-K fertilizer rations indicate what?

Nitrogen - Potassium - Phosphorus

What is a balanced fertilizer

All numbers are identical

What is a complete fertilizer?

Contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

What is single element fertilizer?

Contains only one of the three major nutrients

What is the ancient sea that covered much of Texas and North America?

The Permian

This ancient sea produced what type of soils in Texas? 

Limestone

What is the relationship between pH, rainfall in Texas soils?

More acidity 

What is a temperate region?

minimum winter temp determines geographic range more so than max summer temp

What is a tropical region?

High average temperature, high humidity all year-round

What area of Texas is sub-tropical?

South Texas

What is a “subtropical” region?

Freeze, but not every year 

What happens to plants at 28^o F?

Liquid contents of plants cells freeze and the plant dies

What do orchard growers do in case of a late hard freeze to protect their newly budding plants?

Frost covers

What side of the house is full sun?

South and West

What side of the house is partial shade?

East

What side of the house is full shade?

North

Spring is a time that plants

Yearly Growth

Summer is when plants begin

Maturing

Fall is a time that plants

transitional for year to year plants, end of life for one season plants

Winter is a time that plants

Wait (dormancy)

What are some survival mechanisms that perennial plants use to survive brutal winter temps?

Dropping leaves and stopping new growth 

What are the main limiting factors for outdoor plants?

light, temperature, water, humidity and nutrition.

What does excessive rain do to outdoor plants?

Drown them

Military leaders call _____________ a “threat multiplier.”

Global Warming

What is vernalization? What plants need it?

the cooling of seed during germination in order to accelerate flowering when it is planted. Fruit trees

How does temperature affect humidity?

Humidity will be higher if the air is cooler

What is transpiration? How do greenhouse reduce transpiration losses?

The loss of water through the leaves or stems of plants, keeps plants warm

What makes for an “organic” fertilizer?

decomposition of plant and animal products

How does salt water burn show up in plants?

Browning on the tips

Is evaporation of ocean water an endothermic or exothermic reaction?

Endothermic

What is the concern for warming oceans?

Ocean acidification

What is an aquifer?

A body of permeable, porous, or fractured ground holding water

What activities uses the most water?

Agriculture

How long will it take to “recharge” an aquifer?

thousands of years

What is the trend in groundwater usage as it relates to agriculture?

Increasing use

What does Hardiness Maps show?

Which perennial plants are most likely to survive in a location

What are xerophytes?

Plants adapted to persistent drought conditions, Aloe Vera, Prickly cactus, Lucca

What are Hydrophytes?

Aquatic plants adapted to grow in water or wet soils. Water lilies

What are Halophytes?

Plants that have high salt tolerance. Tomatoes