QAL –2024 Plant Agriculture Category Exam – Questions & Answers (Graded A+)

What ways do non-chemical pest control methods work with an organism's biology? - ANSWER - Understanding the life-cycle and natural habitat or predators can aid in non-chemical pest control by mimicking natural events or minimizing populations by avoiding creating the perfect timing or environment for pest populations How does planting transgenic crops affect a pest management plan targeting insects or mites? - ANSWER - You may need to apply fewer pesticides; greater number of nontarget organisms remaining; secondary pests may emerge when primary pest populations have been reduced; you cannot rely solely on the transgenic crop How does host plant resistance relate to disease management? - ANSWER - must have conventional plants within crop to avoid pest developing resistance or circumventing around the gene in the plant; "cross protection" similar to vaccinations How does planting transgenic crops affect a weed management plan? - ANSWER - herbicide resistance in crop to be able to spray for weeds throughout crop's life cycle; ability to switch to conservation tillage; can increase pesticide use and reliance on single herbicides How do pest-related transgenic crops fit into an IPM program? - ANSWER - transgenic crop targets specific pests; ability to decrease chemical control methods; scout for secondary pest pressure; diversifies IPM program What are the relationships among the components of an effective IPM program? - ANSWER - they all work together; cannot be reliant on solely one component What are non-chemical pest management practices? - ANSWER - biological, mechanical/physical; cultural - augmentation, tillage, crop rotation Why is it important to know how living organisms are classified and named? What two components make up an organism's scientific name? - ANSWER - For proper identification and management; confusion across regional boundaries with differing common names; generic name and specific name Why is understanding life history and identification of life stages of both pests and crops is critical? - ANSWER - for successful control dependent upon pinpointing most vulnerable life stage of pest and crop; timing What ways do pesticides work with an organism's biology and what biological factors may alter a pesticide's effectiveness? - ANSWER - some pesticides take advantage of various characteristics (grooming, metabolism, reproduction, etc.); factors to consider - life stage, physical strengths and weaknesses, environmental conditions needed for reproduction, sources of food and shelter What is the anatomical difference between insects and mites? - ANSWER - What are the life stages/life cycle of insects with complete metamorphosis? - ANSWER - egg, larva, pupae, adult