Nursery and Landscape General Knowledge

True or False: Chloroplasts capture light energy and use it to manufacture the plant's food through the process of respiration.

False

True or False: Stomates control water loss by periodically opening and closing based on environmental conditions.

True

True or False: The lateral cell division that occurs in the vascular cambium is responsible for adding wood to the stem.

True

True or False: Stratification is the process of satisfying seed dormancy.

True

True or False: The force that moves water up through the phloem is a combination of root
pressure and transpirational pull.

False

Which of the following parts of a plant or animal cell is only found in plants?
a. Nucleus
b. Protoplasm
c. Mitochondria
d. Cell membrane
e. Cell wall

E. Cell Wall

Which of the following describes the epidermis?
a. Exists only in plants exhibiting secondary growth
b. Forms a continuous outer layer on the plant surface
c. Consists of specialized cells that conduct water
d. Contains the meristem that is involved in the production of bark
e. Provides structural support

B. Forms a continuous layer on the plant surface

Growth resulting from apical meristems includes
a. Increases in plant height
b. Primary growth
c. Lengthening of roots d. Cell division
e. All of the above

E. All of the above

Which of the following must occur for viable seeds to be produced?
a. Cross-pollination
b. Fertilization
c. Pollination and fertilization
d. Wind pollination e. Showy flowers

C. Pollination and fertilization

Plants that have male and female flowers on different plants are called
a. Epiphytic
b. Monoecious
c. Dioecious
d. Bifoliate

C. Dioecious

Scarification is a process where
a. Seeds are kept moist in cold temperatures to enhance germination
b. Seeds are subject to drying conditions prior to sowing
c. Seed coats are partially removed by mechanical or chemical
treatment to enhance germination
d. Seeds must go through a wet/dry cycle to enhance germination

c. Seed coats are partially removed by mechanical or chemical
treatment to enhance germination

Photosynthesis , the energy process in green plants, requires:
a. Light, water, oxygen
b. Water, nutrients, carbon dioxide c. Light, water, nutrients
d. Light, water, carbon dioxide

D. Light, water, carbon dioxide

Water enters a plant through the roots and is conducted through the plant in the
a. Cambium
b. Phloem
c. Parenchyma
d. Xylem

D. Xylem

Parallel leaf venation, lack of annual rings and floral parts in multiples of threes are distinguishing characteristics of
a. Monocots
b. Dicots
c. Gymnosperms
d. Ferns

A. Monocots

The basic structural unit of plants is the
a. Nucleus
b. Cell
c. Cambium
d. Tissue

B. Cell

The major difference between plant cells and animal cells is the presence of a
a. Cell membrane
b. Mitochondria
c. Cell wall
d. Nucleus

C. Cell wall

Plants that have a\________________ root system are more difficult to transplant
a. Fibrous
b. Geotropic
c. Senescence
d. Tap

D. Tap

The area of the stem that adds to the wood every year is
a. Xylem
b. Phloem
c. Vascular cambium
d. Pith

C. Vascular cambium

The largest group of plants that live longer than two growing seasons are
a. Perennials
b. Annuals
c. Biennuals
d. Monocots

A. Perennials

During a period of water stress the stomates will remain
a. Open
b. Closed
c. On the top of the leaf
d. Open or closed depending on the temperature

B. Closed

When day length controls the timing of reproductive processes in many species, the
phenomenon is called
a. Photosynthesis
b. Photoperiodism
c. Pollination
d. Geotropism

B. Photopeeiodism

The area where the addition of new cells continues while other plan parts reach
maturity is called
a. Meristem
b. Apex
c. Internodes
d. Bark

A. Meristem

The organ whose primary function is to capture light and manufacture food is
a. Roots
b. Stems
c. Leaves
d. Flowers

C. Leaves

Plants that produce poisonous chemicals or toxins do this to
a. Ward off predators
b. Produce auxins
c. Enlarge roots
d. All of the above

A. Ward off predators

T or F. Plant nomenclature is the scientific system of naming plants.

True

T or F. For each scientific name there is more than one plant to which it can be
correctly applied.

False

T or F. Our current plant nomenclature system is a polynomial system developed by
the great Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus.

False

T or F. When reading or writing scientific plant names, they must be distinguished
from the words that surround them by either underlining, italicising, or setting in bold
type.

True

T or F. Plants that result from the interbreeding of separate species are called
cultivars.

False

Scientific plant names, in an effort to avoid confusion among the various modern
languages, are typically derived from:
a. Latin
b. Italian
c. Greek
d. a and c

A. Latin

In the binomial plant nomenclature system, the first word is the:
a. Genus
b. Species
c. Cultivar
d. Hybrid

A. Genus

The term \_________designates plants that are distinct in some noticeable, obvious, or measurable manner as well as traits that are not obvious, such as variations in disease resistance, cold or heat tolerance, or any other chemical or physiological trait.
a. Species
b. Botanical variety
c. Cultivar
d. Hybrid

C. Cultivar

A plant family:
a. Includes all plants that look alike
b. Includes plants that are related in a very broad sense
c. Refers to a naturally occurring biological strain of a species
d. None of the above

b. Includes plants that are related in a very broad sense

Who is responsible for keeping plant nomenclature straight?
a. Those in horticulture
b. The scientific community
c. No one

A. Those in horticulture

Plants are named using the binomial system which consists of two parts, the first part is the
a. Family
b. Genus
c. Species
d. Latin name

B. Genus

Hybrids are plants that
a. Are naturally occurring biological strain of a species
b. Naturally occurring variant that has a geographical distribution
c. Plants that are selected or maintained in cultivation and are propagated to
retain their distinguishing features
d. Result from the interbreeding from separate species or plants within a species.

d. Result from the interbreeding from separate species or plants within a species.

Scientific names are always a. Underlined
b. Italicized
c. Bold Face
d. a. and b. only

D. A. And b. Only

The first letter of the first part of the name is always
a. The
b. Capitalized
c. Lower case
d. Starts with an L

B. Capitalized

Which of the following is another way of writing Acer rubrum?
a. Ace red
b. Acer r.
c. A. rubrum
d. All of the above

C. A. Rubrum

Scientific names are derived from
a. French
b. German
c. Latin or greek
d. Just Latin

C. Latin or Greek

Families include
a. Many classes
b. More than one family
c. More than one genera
d. Are followed by the species

C. More than one genera

A subspecies is
a. A variant in nature that is not associated with a defined geographical location
b. A morphologically distinct plants that vary in some noticeable manner
c. A naturally occurring biological strain of a species within a
geographical location

C. A naturally occurring biological strain of a species within a
geographical location

Botanical forms are symbolized by
a. Var.
b. X
c. F.
d. Cv

C. F

T or F. Topsoil refers to a loam or sandy loam soil.

False

T or F. The texture of the soil influences the available pore space in a soil.

True

T or F. Water movement is not dependent on the type of soil.

False

T or F. Organic matter is any carbon-containing material in the soil.

True

T or F. Soil pH is defined as the amount of oxygen ions in the soil solution.

False

Which of the following is not true about having good soil structure:
a. Soils are easier to till
b. Plant roots are able to penetrate the soil easier
c. Good structure reduces the amount of large pore space in the soil
d. Good structure improves water movement through the soil

c. Good structure reduces the amount of large pore space in the soil

Which of the following is not true of nitrogen:
a. Can leach out of the soil easily
b. Is needed everywhere in the plant
c. Deficiency symptoms show up first on the newer leaves
d. It is recommended to split up nitrogen applications to get the most benefit

c. Deficiency symptoms show up first on the newer leaves

When the soil pH is too high (too alkaline):
a. The soil must be excavated and new soil brought in
b. Sulfur or sulfate compound can be added to lower the pH
c. The soil needs to be limed
d. Plants can no longer be grown in the soil

b. Sulfur or sulfate compound can be added to lower the pH

Bushes turning yellow or trees showing a yellow striping pattern on their leaves can bean indication that: a. The plants are suffering from a micronutrient deficiency due to high soil pH b. The plants are old and need to be replaced c. Stray beams from the atmosphere are zapping the trees and shrubs d. The soil needs to be limed

a. The plants are suffering from a micronutrient deficiency due to high soil pH

Which of the following is a benefit of soil testing: a. Helps monitor the nutrient status of the soil b. Saves money by pinpointing the nutrients needed by the soil

c. Increases yield or quality of the plants by providing optimum conditions for the

growth

d. Alerts you to possible problems before they show up in the plants, thus providing the opportunity to correct before they become serious

e. All of the above

e. All of the above

Soil texture triangle, identify soils by the percentage of
a. Macropores and Micropores
b. Nutrient levels
c. Sand, silt, clay
d. Water infiltration rate

c. sand, silt, clay

What is the smallest soil particle
a. Clay
b. Sand
c. Silt
d. Loam

a. clay

A soil that has an equal part of sand, silt and clay is called
a. An aggregate
b. A mixture
c. Loam
d. Parent rock

c. Loam

The moisture holding capacity of soil is something improved by
a. Adding organic matter
b. Using tile drains
c. Irrigation
d. Sand

a. Adding organic matter

Sandy soils have
a. Large soil particles
b. Good drainage but little moisture-holding capacity
c. Large pore spaces
d. All of the above

d. all of the above

Which of the following is NOT true about having good soil structure
a. Soils are easier to till
b. Plant root are able to penetrate the soil easier
c. Good structure reduces the amount of large pore space
d. Good structure improves water movement through the soil

c. Good structure reduces the amount of large pore space

Which of the following is NOT true of nitrogen
a. Can leach out of the soil easily
b. Is needed everywhere in the plant
c. Deficiency symptoms show up first on the newer leaves
d. It is recommended to split up nitrogen applications to get the most benefit

c. Deficiency symptoms show up first on the newer leaves

When the soil pH is too high
a. The soil must be evacuated and new soil brought in
b. Sulfur or sulfate compounds can be added to lower the pH
c. The soil needs to be limed
d. Plants can no longer be grown in soil

b. Sulfur or sulfate compounds can be added to lower the pH

The soil pH is a measure of
a. Total soluble salts
b. Total nutrients
c. Acidity or alkalinity of soil
d. Cation-ion exchange capacity

c. Acidity or alkalinity of soil

Which of the following is a benefit of soil testing
a. Helps monitor the nutrient status of the soil
b. Saves money by pinpointing the nutrients needed by the soil
c. Increases yield or quality of the plants by providing optimum conditions for their
growth
d. All of the above

d. All of the above

T or F. Plant appearance should be used to determine when to water.

False

T or F. Transpiration is the evaporation of water from stomates in the leaves.

True

T or F. Soluble salt levels can cause plant growth problems if levels are too low.

False

T or F. Over-watering is one of the biggest causes of root disorders and disease
infections.

True

T or F. Soil type will not likely affect the depth to which water will penetrate.

False

Which of the following is not a component of water quality:
a. Chemical elements
b. Organic materials
c. Fertilizers
d. Biologicals

d. Biologicals

Soluble salt management includes:
a. Increased watering to leach out accumulated salts
b. Use of slow release fertilizers
c. Reduction in non-slow released fertilizers
d. All of the above

d. All of the above

Irrigation efficiency is related to:
a. Application uniformity
b. Accuracy of irrigation
c. Water retention
d. All of the above
e. A and B only

d. All of the above

What should you consider when irrigating container plants:
a. The rate of water penetration into the soil or container substrate
b. The ability of the pot to drain out excess water
c. The nutrient status of the soil
d. A and B only

d. A and B only

Why is it important to perform water analysis:
a. So that you don't waste water by over applying
b. Helps to monitor the nutrient status of the plants
c. Alerts you to suitable or unsuitable components for growing plants
d. None of the above

c. Alerts you to suitable or unsuitable components for growing plants

Water is lost from the soil or container substrates by
a. Evaporation
b. Transpiration
c. Photosynthesis
d. Both a and b

d. Both a and b

The major force of water movement through the plant is
a. Evaporation
b. Transpiration
c. Photosynthesis
d. d. Both a and b

d. d. Both a and b

Woody plants are comprised of
a. 30% water
b. 40% water
c. 75% water
d. 90% water

b. 40% water

Evaporation is the on hotter, windy days with high light intensities
a. Highest
b. Lowest
c. Least affected
d. Apparent

a. Highest

An EC (electrical conductivity) meter is used to determine
a. Total soluble salts
b. Acidity or alkalinity of soil
c. Cation-ion exchange capacity
d. If the soil has been struck by lightening

a. Total soluble salts

Alkalinity is determined by the
a. Level of soluble salts
b. Levels of chlorine and nitrogen
c. Levels of bicarbonate and carbonates
d. Doesn't matter to water quality

c.. Levels of bicarbonate and carbonates

To manage high soluble salts the following should be done
a. Leach the soil
b. Use slow release fertilizers
c. Reduce rate of non-slow release fertilizers
d. All of the above

d. All of the Above

Which of the following is an ion that could cause problems if too high that is seen in MI?
a. Sodium
b. Boron
c. Manganese
d. Zinc

a. Sodium

Uniformity when irrigated is best achieved by
a. Using risers that are shorter than the plants
b. Using nozzles that have larger distribution patterns
c. Using irrigation systems that apply water in a circular pattern
d. Using different irrigation heads with different patterns in a zone

d. Using different irrigation heads with different patterns in a zone

Irrigation efficiency is relate to
a. Application uniformity
b. Accuracy of irrigation
c. Water retention
d. All of the above

d. All of the Above

Movement of water downward through the soil is called
a. Absorption
b. Leaching
c. Recharge
d. None of the above

b. Leaching

Which of the following is not a component of water quality
a. Chemical elements
b. Organic materials
c. Fertilizers
d. Biologicals

c. Fertilizers

T or F. 15 nutrients are essential for plants to grow and develop properly.

False

T or F. Soil pH is a measure of soil alkalinity.

False

T or F. Side-dressing is a method of fertilizer application.

True

T or F. Younger plants require more fertilizer.

False

T or F. NPK stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

True

Which of the following is not a method used to indicate fertilizer needs:
a. Soil test
b. Foliar Sampling
c. Plant performance
d. Signs of deficiencies
e. None of the above

e.

Potassium's function in plants is to:
a. Hasten maturity
b. Improve winter hardiness
c. Give a vigorous start to plant
d. All of the above

b.

Most plants perform best when the soil pH is:
a. 4.0 to 5.5
b. 5.5 to 6.5
c. 6.0 to 7.0
d. 6.5 to 8

b.

A complete fertilizer formula such as 20-10-10 indicates:
a. All major elements are present
b. There is 20 pounds of nitrogen
c. Nitrogen is in the amount of 20%
d. A and B only
e. A and C only

e.

Which of the following is not a method of fertilizer application:
a. Broadcasting
b. Top-dressing
c. Side-dressing
d. Bottom-dressing

d.

Plastic coating is common formulation of slow release fertilizers. Rate of release is
dependent on
a. Microbial degradation
b. Soil moisture
c. Temperature and coating thickness
d. Timing

c.

An indication that a plant might have a nitrogen deficiency is
a. Yellowing of the lower leaves
b. Yellowing of the upper leaves
c. Curling of new growth
d. Purplish tint of leaves

a.

The percent of potassium oxide in 25-5-15 analysis fertilizer is
a. 50%
b. 25%
c. 15%
d. 5%

c.

The numbers 10-6-4 in a fertilizer formula stands for the percentages of
a. Nitrogen, potassium, magnesium
b. Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
c. Nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium
d. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

d.

Water insoluble nitrogen is a primary component in
a. Liquid fertilizers
b. Slow release fertilizers
c. Granular fertilizers
d. Chemical fertilizers

b.