Basic Flashcards

What does the 'dormancy' period of a seed mean?

Answer: The seed is alive but will not germinate under current conditions

Seed dormancy is a survival mechanism where a viable seed will not germinate even under otherwise favorable conditions until specific requirements are met.

In a standard NPK fertilizer labeled 10-20-10, what does the middle number represent?

Answer: Phosphorus (P₂O₅) percentage

The middle number in an NPK label represents the percentage of available phosphate (P₂O₅) in the fertilizer.

Which type of irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone with minimal evaporation loss?

Answer: Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone through emitters, greatly reducing evaporation and water waste.

What is the term for plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season?

Answer: Annual

Annual plants germinate, grow, flower, set seed, and die all within a single growing season.

Which soil horizon is typically referred to as the 'topsoil'?

Answer: A horizon

The A horizon is the topsoil layer, rich in organic matter and biological activity, and most important for crop production.

What is 'integrated pest management' (IPM)?

Answer: A strategy combining biological, cultural, and chemical controls to minimize pest damage economically

IPM uses a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to control pests while minimizing environmental impact and costs.

Which gas is fixed by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume root nodules?

Answer: Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂)

Rhizobium bacteria in legume root nodules convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂) into ammonium, a form plants can use.