Louisiana Horticulture Test Study Guide Exam Questions And Answers

What is the difference between a cultivar and variety? - ANS Cultivar- A plant or grouping of plants selected for desirable characteristics that can be maintained by propagation Variety- A naturally occurring subgroup of a species which has some distinguishing characters Who is Linnaeus? What system of naming plants did he create? - ANS Linnaeus is a Swedish Botanist who developed the Binomial System of Nomenclature(Genus + Species) Why is it important to know common and scientific names of plants? - ANS So that you can communicate with others without confusion about the identity of a plant What are some origins of botanical names? - ANS Country of origin, Names of Explorers, and Descriptive Latin Terms What are some typical groupings for plants when they are classified by growth characteristics? - ANS Life Span, Leaf Retention, Growth Habits, Light, Size List the functions of a root system. - ANS Absorption, Anchorage, Conduction, Storage What are two kinds of root systems? - ANS Fibrous and Taproot List the functions of the stem of a plant. - ANS Support; Conduction; Storage Define xylem and phloem. - ANS xylem- the transport vessel for water and minerals from root to leaf phloem- the transport vessel for manufactured food from leaf to stem What is the difference between monocots and dicots? - ANS monocots- plants that have a single seed leaf(corn; grass; lilly) dicots- plants that have two seed leaves(trees; shrubs; annuals) What are nodes and internodes? - ANS nodes- the area on stems where leaves emerge internodes- the area on stems in between where leaves emerge List the types of specialized stems and roots commonly found in plants. - ANS Bulbs; Corms; Rhizomes; Tubers; Tuberous Roots What are the two main functions of leaves? - ANS Photosynthesis and Transpiration Define angiosperms and gymnosperms. - ANS Angiosperms- plants that bloom and develop fruit which encloses the seed Gymnosperms- plants that have no true flowers or fruit, but make seeds in cones List the parts of a complete flower. - ANS Stamen(Anther & Filament) Pistil(Stilma; Style; Ovary) Petal Sepal Locule Ovule Placenta Receptacle Peduncle List the priority in which plant parts receive food manufactured by the leaves. - ANS 1)Flower 2)Seed 3)Leaves 4)Stems 5)Roots List three primary elements for essential plant growth. - ANS Carbon; Hydrogen; Oxygen List the three macronutrients essential for plant growth. - ANS Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Potassium List the seven Micronutrients needed for optimum plant growth. - ANS Boron; Copper; Chlorine; Iron; Manganese; Molybdenum; Zinc How is light intensity commonly measured? - ANS Foot Candles: The amount of light falling on one square foot one foot away from a standard candle List three functions of water in a plant. - ANS 1)Ingredient of Photosynthesis 2)Solvent for nutrients 3)Gives the plant tissue rigidity Define permanent wilting point. - ANS when all gravitational water and the available water are gone and only the graivable water remains Define microclimate. - ANS describes areas with certain consistent variation in light, temperature, and moisture in a garden List three ways heat travels. - ANS 1. Conduction 2. Convention 3. Radiation Define soil texture. - ANS determined by the relative proportion of its mineral particles and is classified as sand, silt, and clay Define soil structure. - ANS the way various particles are arranged determine soil structures(sandy or clay soils) Soils can be classified as ________ or ________. - ANS fine or coarse ________ is commonly added to acid soils to raise pH. - ANS Lime ________ is commonly added to alkaline soils to lower pH. - ANS Sulpher Most ornamental plants prefer a soil pH of ________. - ANS 5.5 - 7.0 Acid loving ornamental plants prefer a soil pH of _________. - ANS 5.0 - 5.5 True or False. Nutrient availability is regulated by soil. - ANS True List the four physiological changes in the reproductive phase of sexual propagation. - ANS 1. Cone Bud Induction 2. Flower and Bud Initiation and Development 3. Flower 4. Fruit and Seed Production What is the main disadvantage of sexual propagation? - ANS Produces offspring that are not uniform What are the two most critical environmental requirements pertaining to seed germination? - ANS Water and Temperature Vegetative propagation is also referred to as ____________ propagation. - ANS Asexual List some examples of ways to vegetatively propagate a plant. - ANS Layering; division; separation Strawberry runners are commonly propagated by ________. - ANS Layering Define grafting. - ANS What steps should be followed when accepting an order at a retail garden center? - ANS 1. Check the order to be correct 2. Inspect the product to be healthy 3. Examine for pests What are three indicators of a plant needing irrigation. - ANS 1. Root ball is not wet 2. Media has shrunk away from the pot 3. Weight of the pot is light and foliage is wilted Why is cold damage common on container-growth ornamental plants at temperatures of 20-25 degrees. - ANS Because these plants are grown above ground where the root systems are not insulated