Warning: The following questions may be poorly worded and subjective. Exam questions will be worded differently. Exams may also contain questions not listed here.

1. Name the 6 features of any crop production system
2. Name 3 major improvements in crop production in the past 100 years
3. Define science.
4. Briefly describe the Malthusian theory.
5. Do you think that the Malthusian theory has occurred? Why or Why not?
6. Describe the trend regarding farm numbers and farm size.
7. Why should this trend be important to operators of small acreage farms



8. Give 3 characteristics of plants that differentiate them from animals
9. Name the 2 major plant classes to which all crop plants belong.
   1.    Name 2 crops from each class
10. Give 2 ways to tell Monocots and Dicots apart
11. Name the 4 gross morphological parts of all plants
12. Name 1-2 purposes of roots, stems & leaves
13. Name any 4 stem types.
14. Identify the 3 parts found on all stems.
15. What are the 2 parts of a grass leaf? Of a dicot leaf?
16. Describe the difference between a simple leaf and a compound leaf.
17. What is the essence of Photosynthesis?
18. What is the essence of Respiration?



19. Define "Cropping System"
20. What has been the primary benefit of farm specialization?
21. Identify 2-3 problems that result from specialization.
22. Identify the 2 major characteristics of an Agricultural Ecosystem
23. Define ‘Monocropping’
24. Name and describe the 2 monocropping systems
25. List 2 advantages of each
26. Define ‘Multiple-cropping’
27. Name and describe 2 multiple-cropping systems
28. List 2 advantages to Multiple-cropping
29. There are at least 2 difficulties that might prevent Double-cropping. What are they and how can we deal with them.



30. What are the two primary objectives of soil fertilization?
31. How does a high crop yield affect the nutrient levels of the soil?
32. Indicate 2 ways in which soil water affects potential nutrient absorption (good and bad).
33. Specifically where in the soil are the majority of roots of most plants located?
34. What determines fertilizer requirements of any particular crop, like corn? (Ignore differences between hybrids)
35. Which three elements are NOT supplied by the soil?
36. Define a "Macronutrient",  "Micronutrient".
37. Name any 4 Macronutrients and any 4 Micronutrients.
38. What form of Nitrogen to plants prefer?
39. Define N fixation.
40. Describe what basically happens to soil Nitrate when Organic Matter is incorporated into the soil
41. Name one use of N, P and K for the plant
42. How is the soil nutrient status usually determined?
43. Does soil nutrient availability insure plant nutrition? 
    1. How can one be absolutely sure of the actual nutrient status of a plant?
44. What does lime do for the soil?



45. What are the 3 primary reasons for tillage discussed in class?
46. List 4 possible effects of tillage.
47. Name a few considerations for determining a tillage program?
48. List 2-4 goals that we try to achieve during seedbed preparation.
49. In general, what is the yield difference from plowing 12" vs. 71/2" ?  Cost difference?
50. Why would a farmer want to plow deeply?
    1. Give a reason NOT to plow deeply?
51. What is a less costly method for breaking a hardpan layer?
52. Define  "Soil Mulching".
53. What is the theory surrounding cultivation and nitrification? Is it true?
54. Name 3 causes of either wind or water erosion.
55. Why are sandy soils more prone to erosion?
56. Name 3-4 methods to prevent either wind or water erosion
57. How much erosion is generally considered to be acceptable?
58. What is intertillage and what is it’s primary purpose?
59. For what kinds of crops does intertillage work?
60. Describe a typical conventional tillage program
61. Define Reduced tillage. Define No-till
62. Name 3 specific benefits to reduced tillage.
63. Name 3 drawbacks.