PSS 1411 Exam 3 Questions & Answers
2024/2025
Macronutrients - ANSWERSnitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg),
sulfur (S), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O)
Micronutrients - ANSWERSiron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), chloride (Cl),
molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)
Main functionality of Nitrogen - ANSWERSmajor component of plant chemicals: amino acids, etc
Main functionality of Phosphorus - ANSWERSEnergy transfer, germination, most aspects of plant growth
Main functionality of Potassium - ANSWERSprotein synthesis, enzyme activation, disease resistance,
enhances fruiting and flowering, water balance
Main functionality of Iron - ANSWERSinvolved in the synthesis of chlorophyll, and it is essential for the
maintenance of chloroplast structure and function
Why is Iron a particular problem in West Texas soils? - ANSWERSpowerpoint slide; the deficiency is
caused by the high pH levels of our soils
Soil Analysis - ANSWERSnutrient compounds in the soil are examined
Plant Analysis - ANSWERSnutrient deficiencies of the actual plants are examined
What are other problems to consider besides nutrient defiency that can look similar? - ANSWERS- poorly
drained soils
- over or under watering
,- pH extremes
- root diseases
- root pruning
- plant pests
- soil compaction
- adverse soil temperatures
organic fertilizers - ANSWERSanimal manure, compost, fish meal and bone meal
inorganic fertilizer - ANSWERSmined or synthetically manufactured mineral supplements; ammonium
sulfate (21-0-0), ammonium phosphate (16-20-0), 10-10-10
advantages of organic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Contain more than one nutrient
- Nutrients are released slowly
- Act as soil amendments
disadvantages of organic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Usually low in nitrogen
- bulky
- manures may contain high amounts of salts (potassium, sodium, nitrates)
-excessive use can lead to groundwater pollution
advantages of inorganic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Usually concentrated, so small amounts provide necessary
nutrients
- Usually economical
- Provide plants with readily available nutrients
disadvantages of inorganic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Often applied excessively (resulting in salt injury to
plant and resulting in excessive plant growth)
- Some nutrients, especially nitrogen, are very soluble and can be readily leached (resulting in nutrients
lost from root zone and resulting in groundwater pollution)
, What is a soil amendment? - ANSWERSA material that indirectly improves plant growth by:
1. improving soil structure, drainage
2. increasing the soil's water and nutrient holding capacity
3. modifying soil pH
Why does a soil amendment not work as a main fertilizer? - ANSWERSThe fertilizer directly improves
plant growth and soil amendment indirectly improves it
How to determine number of pounds of N-P-K and costs - ANSWERS#1) % of nutrients x weight of bag =
___ lbs of nutrient in bag
#2) price of bag / ___ lbs of nutrient in bag
#3) lower answer is better price
What are high/low tunnels are what are they useful for? - ANSWERSDouble protection from frost in
Winter; modify humidity, air temperature, soil temperature, and solar radiation; help protect produce
from wind, hail, strong rains, and pests
Why should you consider families when planting vegetables/fruit? - ANSWERSyou don't want to plant
plants all from the same family in one area because plants in the same families share genetics which
means they share diseases and pests
What is crop rotation and how could it be used with vegetable gardening or farming? - ANSWERSWhen
the farmer plants different plants in a rotation like sequence; This is important so the crops do no use up
all the nutrients in one area and the soil has time to recover
What is succession planting, and how would it be helpful in garden planning? - ANSWERSstaggering
plantings or plant multiple crops in the same area throughout the season. Each time a crop is finished
you pull it and plant a new one
What is lasagna gardening and why is it an easy way to get organic matter into the soil? - ANSWERS1) put
cardboard or three layers of newspaper directly on top of the grass or weeds in the area you've selected
for your garden
2024/2025
Macronutrients - ANSWERSnitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg),
sulfur (S), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O)
Micronutrients - ANSWERSiron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), chloride (Cl),
molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni)
Main functionality of Nitrogen - ANSWERSmajor component of plant chemicals: amino acids, etc
Main functionality of Phosphorus - ANSWERSEnergy transfer, germination, most aspects of plant growth
Main functionality of Potassium - ANSWERSprotein synthesis, enzyme activation, disease resistance,
enhances fruiting and flowering, water balance
Main functionality of Iron - ANSWERSinvolved in the synthesis of chlorophyll, and it is essential for the
maintenance of chloroplast structure and function
Why is Iron a particular problem in West Texas soils? - ANSWERSpowerpoint slide; the deficiency is
caused by the high pH levels of our soils
Soil Analysis - ANSWERSnutrient compounds in the soil are examined
Plant Analysis - ANSWERSnutrient deficiencies of the actual plants are examined
What are other problems to consider besides nutrient defiency that can look similar? - ANSWERS- poorly
drained soils
- over or under watering
,- pH extremes
- root diseases
- root pruning
- plant pests
- soil compaction
- adverse soil temperatures
organic fertilizers - ANSWERSanimal manure, compost, fish meal and bone meal
inorganic fertilizer - ANSWERSmined or synthetically manufactured mineral supplements; ammonium
sulfate (21-0-0), ammonium phosphate (16-20-0), 10-10-10
advantages of organic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Contain more than one nutrient
- Nutrients are released slowly
- Act as soil amendments
disadvantages of organic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Usually low in nitrogen
- bulky
- manures may contain high amounts of salts (potassium, sodium, nitrates)
-excessive use can lead to groundwater pollution
advantages of inorganic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Usually concentrated, so small amounts provide necessary
nutrients
- Usually economical
- Provide plants with readily available nutrients
disadvantages of inorganic fertilizers - ANSWERS- Often applied excessively (resulting in salt injury to
plant and resulting in excessive plant growth)
- Some nutrients, especially nitrogen, are very soluble and can be readily leached (resulting in nutrients
lost from root zone and resulting in groundwater pollution)
, What is a soil amendment? - ANSWERSA material that indirectly improves plant growth by:
1. improving soil structure, drainage
2. increasing the soil's water and nutrient holding capacity
3. modifying soil pH
Why does a soil amendment not work as a main fertilizer? - ANSWERSThe fertilizer directly improves
plant growth and soil amendment indirectly improves it
How to determine number of pounds of N-P-K and costs - ANSWERS#1) % of nutrients x weight of bag =
___ lbs of nutrient in bag
#2) price of bag / ___ lbs of nutrient in bag
#3) lower answer is better price
What are high/low tunnels are what are they useful for? - ANSWERSDouble protection from frost in
Winter; modify humidity, air temperature, soil temperature, and solar radiation; help protect produce
from wind, hail, strong rains, and pests
Why should you consider families when planting vegetables/fruit? - ANSWERSyou don't want to plant
plants all from the same family in one area because plants in the same families share genetics which
means they share diseases and pests
What is crop rotation and how could it be used with vegetable gardening or farming? - ANSWERSWhen
the farmer plants different plants in a rotation like sequence; This is important so the crops do no use up
all the nutrients in one area and the soil has time to recover
What is succession planting, and how would it be helpful in garden planning? - ANSWERSstaggering
plantings or plant multiple crops in the same area throughout the season. Each time a crop is finished
you pull it and plant a new one
What is lasagna gardening and why is it an easy way to get organic matter into the soil? - ANSWERS1) put
cardboard or three layers of newspaper directly on top of the grass or weeds in the area you've selected
for your garden
