ASM 236 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
a. replenishes cropland - Answer-Three problems caused by soil movement were given.
Which was not listed as a problem?
a. replenishes cropland
b. financial costs
c. loss of fertile soil
d. decreased surface water levels
2-4% - Answer-What soil percentage of OM is generally found in Midwestern soils?
strenuous activity - Answer-Organic matter improves soil productivity through all the
following except:
OM content, drainage conditions, degree of oxidation, and the extent of weathering -
Answer-Soil color can indicate:
gritty, smooth, or sticky - Answer-Soil texture is determined by how the soil feels, which
is categorized by:
humus - Answer-The soil carbon that binds soil microparticles together to form
microaggregates is not water soluble, is more resistant to tillage, and is not readily
consumed by microorganisms. What is it called?
actinobacteria - Answer-What are beneficial soil microbes?
50% - Answer-How much pore space does healthy soil have?
soil is unconsolidated, porous media made of both organic and inorganic components
and pore space (containing air and/or water) - Answer-What is the best description of
soil?
false - Answer-True or False: Soil is static (it does not change over time)
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen - Answer-Which of the following plant nutrients are
macronutrients?
avoiding soil compaction - Answer-__________ is a lot more cost-effective than causing
it and then having to improve soil health.
, c. long-term no-till requires sub-soil tillage - Answer-A continuous living soil cover plus
continuous long-term no-till protects the soil from compaction due to many factors.
Which of the following is NOT one of these factors?
a. long-term no-till increases organic residues
b. both lead to more plant roots
c. long-term no-till requires sub-soil tillage
d. soil cover absorbs equipment weight
poor land management - Answer-Soil degradation development starts with:
by planting a continuous living soil cover and using no-till planting methods - Answer-
How can a farmer protect the soil from compaction?
soil degradation is the physical, chemical, and biological decline in soil quality - Answer-
Soil degradation is defined as:
sping - Answer-What time of the year is best for measuring soil compaction?
they can be compressed and then regain their shape - Answer-How do organic residues
on the soil surface cushion the soil?
true - Answer-T or F: There is a high risk of erosion from a tillage system that buries
residue and pulverizes the soil.
farm machinery weight - Answer-A factor that contributes to soil compaction:
false - Answer-T or F: Careful tillage management practices will solve soil quality
problems.
b. less input costs - Answer-Which of the following is NOT an "off-farm" benefit (those
that benefit everyone) of conservation agriculture and healthy soil?
a. less airborne dust
b. less input costs
c. less fuel used, reduced greenhouse gases
d. less sediment and pesticides in surface water
82% - Answer-Residue cover of 50% reduces soil loss by about _____
initial - Answer-There are 4 major stages to improving poor soil health. Which stage is
described by the following: reuilding soil aggregates, OM continues to be low, crop
residues begin to increase, microbial biomass begins to increase, nitrogen must be
added?
CORRECT ANSWERS
a. replenishes cropland - Answer-Three problems caused by soil movement were given.
Which was not listed as a problem?
a. replenishes cropland
b. financial costs
c. loss of fertile soil
d. decreased surface water levels
2-4% - Answer-What soil percentage of OM is generally found in Midwestern soils?
strenuous activity - Answer-Organic matter improves soil productivity through all the
following except:
OM content, drainage conditions, degree of oxidation, and the extent of weathering -
Answer-Soil color can indicate:
gritty, smooth, or sticky - Answer-Soil texture is determined by how the soil feels, which
is categorized by:
humus - Answer-The soil carbon that binds soil microparticles together to form
microaggregates is not water soluble, is more resistant to tillage, and is not readily
consumed by microorganisms. What is it called?
actinobacteria - Answer-What are beneficial soil microbes?
50% - Answer-How much pore space does healthy soil have?
soil is unconsolidated, porous media made of both organic and inorganic components
and pore space (containing air and/or water) - Answer-What is the best description of
soil?
false - Answer-True or False: Soil is static (it does not change over time)
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen - Answer-Which of the following plant nutrients are
macronutrients?
avoiding soil compaction - Answer-__________ is a lot more cost-effective than causing
it and then having to improve soil health.
, c. long-term no-till requires sub-soil tillage - Answer-A continuous living soil cover plus
continuous long-term no-till protects the soil from compaction due to many factors.
Which of the following is NOT one of these factors?
a. long-term no-till increases organic residues
b. both lead to more plant roots
c. long-term no-till requires sub-soil tillage
d. soil cover absorbs equipment weight
poor land management - Answer-Soil degradation development starts with:
by planting a continuous living soil cover and using no-till planting methods - Answer-
How can a farmer protect the soil from compaction?
soil degradation is the physical, chemical, and biological decline in soil quality - Answer-
Soil degradation is defined as:
sping - Answer-What time of the year is best for measuring soil compaction?
they can be compressed and then regain their shape - Answer-How do organic residues
on the soil surface cushion the soil?
true - Answer-T or F: There is a high risk of erosion from a tillage system that buries
residue and pulverizes the soil.
farm machinery weight - Answer-A factor that contributes to soil compaction:
false - Answer-T or F: Careful tillage management practices will solve soil quality
problems.
b. less input costs - Answer-Which of the following is NOT an "off-farm" benefit (those
that benefit everyone) of conservation agriculture and healthy soil?
a. less airborne dust
b. less input costs
c. less fuel used, reduced greenhouse gases
d. less sediment and pesticides in surface water
82% - Answer-Residue cover of 50% reduces soil loss by about _____
initial - Answer-There are 4 major stages to improving poor soil health. Which stage is
described by the following: reuilding soil aggregates, OM continues to be low, crop
residues begin to increase, microbial biomass begins to increase, nitrogen must be
added?
