Basic Flashcards
7 cards from real Agronomy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Basic flashcards as text
What is the pH range generally considered optimal for most field crops?
Answer: 5.5–7.0
Most field crops grow best in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0, where nutrient availability is highest.
Which tillage practice involves turning over the top layer of soil to bury crop residues and expose fresh soil?
Answer: Moldboard plowing
Moldboard plowing inverts the soil, burying surface residues and weeds while bringing subsoil minerals to the surface.
What is 'cation exchange capacity' (CEC) a measure of in soil science?
Answer: The soil's ability to retain positively charged nutrient ions
CEC measures the soil's capacity to hold and exchange positively charged ions (cations) such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Which of the following best describes 'vernalization' in crop plants?
Answer: Exposure to cold temperatures required to trigger flowering
Vernalization is the induction of flowering by exposure to prolonged cold, a requirement for many winter cereals like winter wheat.
What is the primary role of nitrogen in plant growth?
Answer: Building proteins and chlorophyll
Nitrogen is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll, making it essential for vegetative growth and photosynthesis.
A field with hardpan soil would most likely suffer from which problem?
Answer: Poor drainage and restricted root growth
Hardpan is a dense, compacted soil layer that restricts water drainage and prevents roots from penetrating deeper soil layers.
Which cover crop is most commonly used to add nitrogen back to the soil?
Answer: Hairy vetch
Hairy vetch is a legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodule bacteria, making it a popular nitrogen-building cover crop.