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Agronomy Exam 1 Review

Exam Review Notes

Exam Structure & Question Types

  • Question Formats: True/False, Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Listing, Labeling (specifically, labeling parts of a flower).

  • General Expectation: Familiarity with concepts discussed in class is essential.

Core Definitions & Concepts

  • Agronomy: The study of field-grown crops.

  • Horticulture: Knowledge of its definition and key differences from agronomy.

  • Cultivation: Understanding what cultivation entails.

  • Sustainable Agriculture:

    • Definition of sustainable agriculture.

    • The three 'P's of sustainable agriculture.

    • Trends in agriculture, population changes, and urban/rural area dynamics as they relate to sustainability.

  • Cultivar: Definition of a cultivar.

  • Yield Increase: Identify the biggest contributor to increased yield production.

  • Genetically Modified Organism (GMO):

    • Definition of a GMO.

    • Advantages of GMOs.

    • Disadvantages of GMOs.

Crop Terminology & Examples

  • Cereal Grain: Definition and example (e.g., wheat).

  • Legume: Definition and example (e.g., clover).

  • Forage Crop: Definition.

  • Root Crop: Definition and example (e.g., carrot).

  • Fiber Crop: Definition and example (e.g., cotton).

  • Tuber Crop: Definition and example (e.g., potato).

  • Sugar Crop: Definition and example (e.g., sugarcane).

  • Drug Crop (Legal): Definition (anything altering chemical balance, especially in the brain) and example (e.g., tobacco, grapes for fermentation).

  • Cover Crop: Definition.

  • Catch Crop: Definition.

Plant Classification (Taxonomy)

  • Taxonomy: Definition of taxonomy.

  • Scientific Naming:

    • Three reasons for using scientific names or scientific classification (e.g., using Latin).

    • The two broadest categories of scientific classification.

  • Morphology vs. Histology:

    • Morphology: The outward appearance of an organism.

    • Histology: The internal structure of an organism.

  • Scientific Name Notations: Understanding the meaning of:

    • BAR in a scientific name.

    • CV in a scientific name.

    • X in a scientific name.

Plant Life Cycles

  • Annual: Completes its growth cycle within one year.

  • Biennial: Takes two years to complete its growth cycle.

  • Perennial: Lives indefinitely (more than two years).

Plant Anatomy & Functions

  • Root: Main purpose of the root.

  • Stem: Main purpose of the stem.

  • Inflorescence: Definition (spelled as I N F L O R E S C E N C E ).

  • Flower Parts:

    • Female part of the flower (pistil).

    • Colored part of the flower (petals).

Cell Biology

  • Prokaryote vs. Eukaryote: Differences between these two cell types.

    • Prokaryote (spelled as P R O K A R Y O T I C ).

    • Eukaryote (spelled as E U K A R Y O T I C ).

  • Chloroplast: Function of a chloroplast.

  • Allele vs. Gene:

    • Allele (spelled as A L L E L E ): Definition.

    • Gene: Definition.

Genetics

  • Genetic Traits: Definitions of:

    • Homozygous trait.

    • Heterozygous trait.

    • Dominant trait.

    • Recessive trait.

  • Mendel's Study: What Gregor Mendel studied.

  • Hybrid Vigor: Definition of hybrid vigor (heterosis).

Plant Structures

  • Stolon: Definition (spelled as S T O L O N ).

  • Rhizome: Definition (spelled as R H I Z O M E ).

  • Tiller: Definition (spelled as T I L L E R ).

Photosynthesis & Plant Types

  • Warm Season vs. Cool Season Plants: Differentiating between them.

  • Photosynthetic Pathways:

    • Which type of plant uses C3 photosynthesis.

    • Which type of plant uses C4 photosynthesis.

Specific Forage Crops & Characteristics

  • Bahiagrass: Positive qualities.

  • Bermuda Grass: Identify the three varieties.

  • Crabgrass: Problematic aspects in hay production.

  • Dallisgrass: Problematic aspects.

  • Johnson Grass: Cautionary aspects, specifically when it starts to turn brown (e.g., in December) due to potential toxicity.

  • Ryegrass: Positive qualities.

  • Winter Grasses:

    • Which winter grass is the least cold-hardy.

    • Which winter grass is the most drought-tolerant.

Miscellaneous Historical/Practical Notes

  • "Old Slabber" & "Seat Belt": Knowledge about these references (context from previous lessons).

  • Bonus Question: Be aware that a difficult (nearly impossible) bonus question is typically offered.

General Advice

  • Pay close attention to terminology and definitions.

  • Be prepared to provide examples for different crop categories.

  • Understand the