SAMPLE FINAL EXAMINATION 1
(12)1. What is the primary purpose of running a chemical soil test to assess the fertility of a soil?
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Usually, what is the most important chemical soil test? _______________
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What are some limitations in the use of chemical soil tests in evaluating the fertility of the soil? (List three)
a._____________________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________________
(8)2. Account for the failure of seeds to germinate after large
amountsof organic nitrogen fertilizers
are mixed in the soil for seeding (Briefly describe two factors
involved).
a._____________________________________________________________________
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b._____________________________________________________________________
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(6)3. List three factors of soil productivity (fertility) that areassociated with soil texture.
a._____________________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________________
(12)4. These recommendations were taken from a recent publication
on organic gardening.
If one employed, these recommendations, what would be the likely
result in crop production?
Justify your answer.
a. The most effective rate of application of green, chopped
alfalfa as a garden fertilizer is 1.5 ounces
per 100 square feet of garden area.
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b. Mulches applied to land for the purpose of conserving moisture should be highly retentive of water.
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c. To fertilize a garden, one should use 20 lb cottonseed meal, or
20 lb dried blood, or 20 lb fish scraps,
or 40 lb of rock dust per 1000 square feet of garden area.
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d. An early application of straw or hay as a thick (3-in deep)
mulch on the land will facilitate warming
of the soil.
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(10)5. What is the major advantage of narrowing the C:N ratio of organic matter through composting?
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What are major losses or disadvantages in composting?
a._____________________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________________
(8)6. Identify the following terms by definition.
a. Mulch ______________________________________________________________
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b. Humus ______________________________________________________________
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c. Green manure _______________________________________________________
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d. Nitrogen mineralization ____________________________________________
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(6)7. List three ways by which greenhouse-grown plants may be
hardened against the harshness
of outdoor environments.
a._____________________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________________
(6)8. What are three factors of artificial lighting that must be considered for growing of plants indoors.
a._____________________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________________
(12)9. Evaluate the following insect control measures by listing
their effectiveness (targeted pests and
controlling principles) and limitations.
---------------Effectiveness---------- ---------Limitation---------------
Ladybugs _______________________________ __________________________
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Bacillus _______________________________
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diseases
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Horticultural _____________________________
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oils
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(8)10. For what purpose would an organic farmer apply each of the
following materials to land or to crops.
In instances of multiple functions of the listed material, one
purpose is enough to mention.
a. Bonemeal ___________________________________________________________
b. Elemental sulfur ___________________________________________________
c. Cottonseed meal_____________________________________________________
d. Limestone __________________________________________________________
e. Feather meal _______________________________________________________
f. Pyrethrins _________________________________________________________
g. Diatomaceous earth _________________________________________________
h. Rock dust __________________________________________________________
(6)11. Give an identifying characteristic of each of the following conditions in plant nutrition.
a. Nitrogen deficiency ________________________________________________
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b. Optimum nitrogen fertilization _____________________________________
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c. Excessive nitrogen fertilization ___________________________________
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(6)12. Give your impressions of the following materials as substances for use by organic farmers.
a. Sewage biosolids
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b. Hydrogen peroxide __________________________________________________
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c. Superphosphate _____________________________________________________
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