Term
| What nutrients are less available in alkaline soils? |
|
Definition
| Nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc. |
|
|
Term
| Which nutrient is sodium theorized to replace in some plant physiological processes? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Which nutrients are found in the highest concentration in greywater? |
|
Definition
| Phosphorous, Calcium, Magnesium |
|
|
Term
| What is the relationship between container diameter and root collar diameter of longleaf pine seedlings? |
|
Definition
| Container diameter determines maximum root collar diameter |
|
|
Term
| How can fertilizer requirements be determined when there is no published sufficiency range? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is a quality seedling? |
|
Definition
| A seedling able to survive a variety of environmental conditions and one that grows vigorously when outplanted |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Organic Materials Review Institute. A non-profit organization that provides an independent review of organic production and the ingredients of organic production. The review is based on USDA National Organic Program’s standards |
|
|
Term
| Name the benefits of organic fertilized and why is it important for sustainability? |
|
Definition
| Benefits include organic matter added to the soil, micronutrients, improved CEC, improved soil structure, slow release traits, and sustainability. It is important to sustainability because it allows Nitrogen to perform its natural cycle. |
|
|
Term
| What is a naturally occurring nitrogen source that can be used in organic production? |
|
Definition
| Chilean nitrate 16-0-0: it can be composted with organic waste to broduce better manufactured fertilizers |
|
|
Term
| What is a fertilizer/herbicide combination product? What are some management questions a grower would need to answer before implementing a product like this? |
|
Definition
| A combo is a product that can be applied as a broadleaf pre-emergent in container nursery stuff and subsequently provide fertility to the plant. Some questions: do I need broadleaf weed control? do I need to eliminate some unwanted costs and labor? |
|
|
Term
| Name a few of the concerns and problems with separate fertilizer and herbicide management programs; explain why these are a concern and how nurserymen can remedy that? |
|
Definition
| Labor and efficiency are two concerns. These are a concern because it can be expensive to apply fertilizers and herbicides separately. Must depend on two separate management programs, which mean more record keeping and it would be easy to get behind and potentially lose crops. |
|
|
Term
| If you were a grower, would you incorporate a product like Regal Ronstar into your management program? Explain |
|
Definition
| Yes I would, it would be an easy way to reduce costs because of a decrease in labor. |
|
|
Term
| What is Nitrification? Describe the two steps and discuss why anaerobic conditions and low pH would hinder this process. |
|
Definition
| Nitrification is the oxidation of ammonia or ammonium to nitrate. The two steps are 1) the conversion of ammonia to NO2 by nitrosomonas and nitrosolbus bacteria and 2) the conversion of NO2 to NO3 by nitrobacter. A low pH would inhibit nitrification because there would be less oxygen available and more hydrogen, which would favor reduction rather than oxidation. |
|
|
Term
| High concentrations of NH4-N could pose a risk to plants at high pH levels. Why? Why is this not a huge risk to blueberries? |
|
Definition
| At higher pH levels there is a risk of NH4+ losing hydrogen and becoming NH3, which is toxic to plants. This is not a big deal in blueberries because they love acidic soils. |
|
|
Term
| In the Cain experiment, the pH was not kept constant between the different treatments. How is this detrimental to the research? |
|
Definition
| Because the pH was not kept constant, another variable is added to the mix. It cannot be known for sure whether the responses seen are based on nitrogen form or the pH change |
|
|
Term
| Define the functions of lime and how it benefits the soil? |
|
Definition
| Lime furnishes calcium and magnesium, depending on the limestone, counteracts acidity, aids in the development of nitrogen fixing bacteria, and reduced the toxicity of certain compounds |
|
|
Term
| List and explain the three R’s of limestone and how they affect the soil’s nutrient properties. |
|
Definition
| Residual: the amount of limestone that remains unreacted in the media after the equilibrium pH is reached, gives the media a buffering capability. Reactivity: the amount of expected pH increase from a given incorporation rate and time needed for pH stabilization. Requirement: amount of acidity contained in a given volume of media that has to be neutralized to raise the pH to the desired level. |
|
|
Term
| Define and explain the problems overliming can cause. |
|
Definition
| Occurs when soils have a low CEC and a very small buffer or non-exchangeable acidity and the pH can be increased easily, can cause deficiencies in B, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Also can increse rate of Mo toxicity. |
|
|
Term
| How does pH affect the uptake of Zn in pecans? |
|
Definition
| Zn adsorption increases as pH increases |
|
|
Term
| What is the fastest and best way to correct Zn deficiency in pecans? |
|
Definition
| Foliar spray of Zn nitrate |
|
|
Term
| What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency in pecans? |
|
Definition
| Interveinal chlorosis, wavy margins, internodal growth reduced |
|
|
Term
| What is the purpose of organic agriculture through USDA’s definition of organic agriculture? |
|
Definition
| The purpose of organic agriculture production sites promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity in conjunction with modern farming technology. |
|
|
Term
| What are the potential benefits of organic agriculture? |
|
Definition
| Higher quality fruit and vegetables, healthier, improved taste, environmentally safe, fresher |
|
|
Term
| Why are antioxidants so important for your health? |
|
Definition
| They are important in the control of reactive oxygen species that are produced in normal metabolic processes and are responsible for initiation of certain cancers as well as contributing to CVD. |
|
|
Term
| What are the 3 characteristics of turfgrass to distinguish them from other grass |
|
Definition
| Turfgrasses tolerate frequent mowing, form a contiguous community, and can withstand traffic |
|
|
Term
| . What nutrient does turfgrass need the most? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| List two nutrition diagnosis methods in golf course management? |
|
Definition
| Soil testing, tissue testing, color/appearance |
|
|
Term
| Since Vaccinium species prefer acidic soil types, what is the preferred for of iron taken up? Describe what is more than likely actually occurring with regards to iron levels when there appears to be a deficiency? |
|
Definition
The preferred form of iron is Fe+2 and there are
probably adequate amounts in the soil, but it is being tied up by some limiting factor, i.e. pH above 5.5. |
|
|
Term
| Name and describe the fertilizer application method used and give the unit of measurement used when applying a granular fertilizer to young rabbiteye blueberry plants |
|
Definition
| Young plantings of rabbiteye blueberries should be fertilized by hand |
|
|
Term
| List the steps for fertilizing a mature planting of rabbiteye blueberries from bud break to post harvest |
|
Definition
| Apply 30-50 lbs/A over the course of the growing season. Apply ½ of the N and all the P and K at bud break. Apply the remaining N in 4-6 evenly distributed applications up until 6 weeks before the first frost. |
|
|
Term
| Describe the role of calcium in flocculation of soils. |
|
Definition
| Calcium binds with the small particles (clay and organic matter), creating larger soil particles and larger pore spaces in the soil profile. This leads to better water infiltration rates with erosion control. |
|
|
Term
| How can excess phosphorous affect bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and rivers? |
|
Definition
| Buildup from heavy manure use or heavily fertilized areas causes phosphorous to leach into water and creates heavy algal blooms, which can also lead to death of aquatic life and poor water quality |
|
|
Term
| Why are more and more sulfur deficiencies being reported in recent years? |
|
Definition
| With the adoption of the clean air act (i.e. installing scrubbers on coal fired power plants and other sulfur capturing devices) along with the heavy use of fertilizers not containing sulfur, there has been a great reduction of sulfur in soils. |
|
|
Term
| What is the optimum ratio of fish feed to hydroponic surface area in a raft aquaponic system? |
|
Definition
| 60-100 grams/M2 hydroponic growing area/day |
|
|
Term
| Fish feed supplies 95% of the nutrients required by aquaponic crops. Name 2 of the 3 nutrients that must be supplemented for plant growth |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Name 3 vegetable crops that would make good candidates for aquaponic systems |
|
Definition
| Lettuce, basil, water spinach, cucumbers, mint, watercress |
|
|
Term
| Because of the organic material in the soil, N-immobilization can occur causing the plant to have limited amounts of available N. This deficiency appears in the older leaves first, why is this and what are other symptoms of deficiency? |
|
Definition
| Nitrogen deficiency appears in the older leaves first because nitrogen is a mobile element. As new leaves are formed they create a sink for N, causing N in the older leaves to move to the younger leaves if there is not enough N in the soil to satisfy the needs of the new tissue. This may leave the older leaves with low N levels resulting in deficiency symptoms. Other N deficiency symptoms include a slow growing, weak, and stunted plant, and reduced |
|
|
Term
| Why do we not use topsoil in our container media, and why are we now looking for new alternatives to peatmoss, perlite, and vermiculite? |
|
Definition
| We do not use topsoil because it lacks particle consistency, is hard to sterilize and weighs a lot. We are looking into alternate substrates because peatmoss, perlite and vermiculite are in short supply |
|
|
Term
| Define controlled release fertilizer and describe the mechanics of a controlled release prill |
|
Definition
| CRF are fertilizer products that release nutrients to the soil for plant uptake at a predetermined time and rate. Granular fertilizers coated with an ultra thin, non water-soluble polymer allowing release of nutrients over time in a predictable manner. Micropores in the coating allow for osmosis across the semi-permeable layer. There is a soluble N core that goes into solution when water penetrates the outer membrane. Prills also have a temperature sensitive coating, as it breaks down it aids in the release of the fertilizer |
|
|
Term
| Discuss the cost of controlled release fertilizers and how they compare to conventional fertilizers. Include in the discussion how CRF benefits may overcome the initial cost of the product. |
|
Definition
| Initially more expensive, over time you can reduce the cost of labor, high N use efficiency |
|
|
Term
| Discuss nitrogen use efficiency as related to CRFs. |
|
Definition
| Since less N is lost due to leaching, you are utilizing a greater percentage of the product than when using a conventional fertilizer. |
|
|
Term
| What is the purpose of coating CRFs? What ways are coatings worn down? |
|
Definition
| CRFs are coated to control the release of the fertilizer. Some ways a coating may be worn down include: damage to the coat, mechanical imperfections, soil microbes, and temperature |
|
|
Term
| List the three phrases of CRF release. Describe the 3rd phase. |
|
Definition
| First phase: Absorption phase, Second Phase: Steady state release, third phase: declining release phase → water dominates the inside of the prill and the concentration outside is greater than inside so diffusion slows |
|
|
Term
| How can CRFs prevent N loss? |
|
Definition
| Since the N is released slowly more has then chance of being taken up rather than in conventional fertilizers where all of the N is applied at once and it can be lost to leaching. |
|
|
Term
| What element competes most with calcium |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What percent of calcium is taken up before the suberin layer is formed on the fruit? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What percent of the earth's crust is calcium? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the most popular theory on how nutrients are foliar absorbed? |
|
Definition
| breaks and cracks in the cuticle including the trichomes and stomates. |
|
|
Term
| We understand that N, even if sufficient in the soil, is applied to the soil it would increase plant growth and health... Knowing this, and what you know about N, how is this possible and whats going on? |
|
Definition
| Nitrogen is found virtually everywhere, even in the soil (hummus) makeup. However it is not always directly available for plant uptake. It is tied up in the organic matter which is broken down by microbes over time. So added Nitrogen from fertilizers will add available nitrogen for plant uptake. And in some instances could encourage microbe activity furthering the natural release of N from decaying matter available to plants as well. |
|
|
Term
| What are the overall charges of Urea,Ammonium, and Nitrate and how does their charge impact foliar absorption rates? Which is the best to use? |
|
Definition
| Urea - no charge, Ammonium - net positive, Nitrate - net negative. Leaves can uptake all three forms. Pores on leaves are lined with negatively charged molecules, alleviating to the rinse that cations (Ammonium) are more readily taken up than anions (nitrates). Since urea has no formal charge and is small it is the quickest absorbed. That being said urea would be best. |
|
|
