Question 1

Concentrated animal production as is practiced in modern industrial agriculture usually results in ______.
A)nutrient excesses in the area of the livestock operation
B)depletion of nutrients from the soils in the vicinity
C)insufficient manure production to properly fertilize cropland on the livestock farm
D)nutrient exports from the operation that exceed imports
E)both C and D

Accepted Answer

Concentrated animal production often leads to nutrient excesses in the area of the livestock operation due to the large amounts of manure and waste produced, which can exceed the land's capacity to absorb and utilize these nutrients, leading to environmental issues such as water pollution.

Question 2

In recent years, a soil test for nitrogen has been developed and widely used in humid regions in predicting how much nitrogen will need to be applied to supplement natural mineralization in the soil.This test is called the _______.
A)Mehlich II nitrogen test
B)Differential Nitrate Extraction Test (DNET)
C)diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS)
D)pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT)
E)soil nitrogen partial analysis (SNPA)

Accepted Answer

The pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) is specifically designed to measure the available nitrogen in the soil before sidedressing, which is the application of fertilizer during the growing season. This test has been developed and used in humid regions to predict how much nitrogen will need to be applied to supplement natural mineralization in the soil. Therefore, of all the options given, the PSNT is the best choice for the described scenario.

Question 3

The place where the manure pile was stored last year, a narrow strip that used to be a limestone gravel farm road, and the spot where fertilizer is usually transferred from a nurse truck to the tractor spreader are all examples of parts of a 25 hectare field that should be treated as follows when sampling soil for the soil test lab.
A)included, like all other areas, in the sample sent in for analysis
B)carefully avoided while sampling
C)more intensively sampled (more cores per hectare) than other areas
D)sampled more deeply than other areas
E)sampled and sent in separately

Accepted Answer

The manure pile and the spot where fertilizer is transferred are areas where soil may have a significantly different nutrient makeup due to added nutrients. The limestone gravel farm road may also have different soil properties due to its composition. Therefore, these areas should be carefully avoided while sampling to ensure that the overall sample sent for analysis is representative of the entire field.

Question 4

The nutrient element magnesium is often supplied by which type of application?
A)injection of a gas into the soil
B)broadcast of a chloride salt
C)broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid
D)incorporation of powdered limestone rock
E)application of a chelate to the soil

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nutrient element magnesium is often supplied...

Question 5

The PSNT nitrogen soil test is designed to be used in growing _____.
A)corn
B)turfgrass
C)alfalfa
D)fruit trees
E)any of the above

Accepted Answer

The PSNT nitrogen soil test is specifically designed for corn production, as it measures the nitrate levels in soil to determine the amount of nitrogen available to the crop. While it may give some indication of nitrogen availability for other crops, it is most effective for corn.

Question 6

Within the technical capabilities of the particular lab, most soil test results can be best interpreted as indicating the _______________________.
A)total amount of each nutrient in the soil
B)amount (lbs or kg ) of nutrient present in plant available forms
C)amount or concentration of nutrient in the soil solution
D)probability (likelihood) that nutrient application will improve plant growth
E)amount of nutrient needed to achieve balanced soil fertility

Accepted Answer

Soil test results are best interpreted as indicating the probability or likelihood that nutrient application will improve plant growth. This is because soil tests typically assess the availability of nutrients to plants, rather than just the total amount of nutrients present, and use this information to predict whether adding more nutrients (through fertilizers, for example) would likely result in better plant growth.

Question 7

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element sulfur is often accomplished by which type of application?
A)injection of a gas into the soil
B)broadcast of a chloride salt
C)broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid
D)incorporation of powdered limestone rock
E)application of a chelate to the soil

Accepted Answer

Sulfur fertilization is often accomplished by broadcasting the nearly pure element as a solid. This can be in the form of elemental sulfur or sulfate-containing fertilizers. Injection of a gas into the soil (A) is used for nitrogen fertilization, broadcast of a chloride salt (B) is not an effective method for supplying sulfur and may even be harmful to plants, incorporation of powdered limestone rock (D) is used to raise soil pH, and application of a chelate (E) is used for micronutrient fertilization.

Question 8

Modern nutrient management is designed to _____________.
A)cost-effectively produce quality plants
B)protect or improve environmental quality
C)protect or improve soil quality
D)conserve nutrient resources
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Modern nutrient management is designed to achieve all of the above goals: cost-effectively produce quality plants, protect or improve environmental quality, protect or improve soil quality, and conserve nutrient resources. This comprehensive approach helps to ensure sustainable agriculture practices that benefit both farmers and the environment.

Question 9

A grass cover crop grown on cropland over the winter season in a humid temperate region can be expected to ______
A)increase nutrient concentrations in runoff water
B)significantly reduce the amount of water percolating to the water Table
C)significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer that will be needed to grow the following crop
D)reduce the amount of nutrients leached to the groundwater
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

A grass cover crop will reduce the amount of nutrients leached to the groundwater by taking up excess nutrients in the soil. It will not increase nutrient concentrations in runoff water nor will it significantly reduce the amount of water percolating to the water table. However, it may slightly reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed for the following crop by providing nitrogen fixation through its root system.

Question 10

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element potassium is often accomplished by which type of application?
A)injection of a gas into the soil
B)broadcast of a chloride salt
C)broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid
D)incorporation of powdered limestone rock
E)application of a chelate to the soil

Accepted Answer

Potassium is commonly supplied to plants by broadcasting a chloride salt, such as potassium chloride (KCl), over the soil. This method allows for even distribution and easy uptake by plant roots.

Question 11

If soil test results for P are available, the optimum amount of P fertilizer to apply to a crop can be best recommended by __________.
A)comparing the cost of P fertilizer to the yield responses measured in the past when P was applied to similar soils with similar soil test P levels
B)subtracting the available soil test P from the total P uptake for the desired yield goal
C)subtracting the soil test P level measured from the soil test P level considered to be on the border of "high" and "very high"
D)calculating the amount of P needed to bring the ratios of soil test P to N, P to K, and P to Mg into balance with the proper ratio for the type of soil in question
E)these days, all four of the above a done, in order, by a computer program

Accepted Answer

Comparing the cost of P fertilizer to the yield responses measured in the past when P was applied to similar soils with similar soil test P levels allows for an economically and agronomically sound recommendation, taking into account historical data and efficiency.

Question 12

Of the macronutrients, which can be most correctly said to be a renewable resource?
A)potassium
B)nitrogen
C)phosphorus
D)calcium
E)iron

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen can be renewed through natural processes such as nitrogen fixation by bacteria or through the use of sustainable farming practices like crop rotation and cover cropping. The other macronutrients are finite resources that must be mined or extracted from the earth.

Question 13

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element nitrogen is often accomplished by which type of application?
A)injection of a gas into the soil
B)broadcast of a chloride salt
C)broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid
D)incorporation of powdered limestone rock
E)application of a chelate to the soil

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fertilization to supply the nutrient element nitrogen...

Question 14

To monitor the effects of management on soil fertility, it is best to sample the soils in an area _______.
A)every one to three years
B)at the same season every time
C)from the same depth every time
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

It is best to sample the soils in an area every one to three years to monitor the effects of management on soil fertility. Sampling should be done at the same season every time to ensure consistency in the data. It is also important to sample from the same depth every time to ensure accurate comparison. Therefore, all of the above options (A, B, and C) are the best choices to monitor the effects of management on soil fertility.

Question 15

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element iron is often accomplished by which type of application?
A)injection of a gas into the soil
B)broadcast of a chloride salt
C)broadcast of the nearly pure element as a solid
D)incorporation of powdered limestone rock
E)application of a chelate to the soil

Accepted Answer

Iron is often not readily available to plants in the soil due to oxidation and binding to soil particles. Therefore, a chelate (such as EDTA or DTPA) can be applied to the soil to bind with the iron and make it available for plant uptake. This can be done through foliar sprays or soil application.

Question 16

Perforation placement is usually used to fertilize _____.
A)row crops
B)turfgrass
C)landscape trees
D)forests

Accepted Answer

The answer of Perforation placement is usually used to fertilize...

Question 17

Well-vegetated buffer strips 10 to 20 meters wide can be expected to reduce the total N content of runoff water by about ______.
A)10%
B)20%
C)40%
D)60%
E)90%

Accepted Answer

The answer of Well-vegetated buffer strips 10 to 20 meters...

Question 18

Buffer strips principally function in nutrient management to _______.
A)recycle non-renewable nutrients
B)enrich the soil with nutrients that are needed for optimum plant growth
C)prevent the transport of nutrients from fields to streams
D)slow the movement of potential pollutants to the groundwater
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Buffer strips are designed to prevent the transport of nutrients from fields to streams, reducing the likelihood of harmful algal blooms and other water quality issues. While they may provide some additional nutrients to the soil, this is not their primary function. They can also help slow the movement of potential pollutants to the groundwater. However, they do not recycle non-renewable nutrients.

Question 19

A cover crop is usually grown for the purpose of _________.
A)improving soil quality
B)saving or recycling nutrients
C)covering expenses for pollution control measures
D)A and B
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Cover crops are typically grown to improve soil quality by adding organic matter, preventing erosion, and reducing soil compaction. They also help to save or recycle nutrients by taking up excess nutrients that could otherwise pollute nearby water sources. While cover crops may be used as part of pollution control measures, this is not their primary purpose. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes both of the above reasons.

Question 20

For a year or so after clear-cut (even-aged) harvesting large areas of mature forest, the streams draining the watershed can be expected to carry ______ than before the harvest.
A)much less water
B)a much greater total nitrate load
C)much less calcium and other cations
D)away enough pollutants to reduce the toxic load to levels lower
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Clear-cut harvesting removes the canopy cover and disrupts the soil structure, leading to increased erosion and nutrient runoff. This can result in a greater total nitrate load in the streams draining the watershed, which can have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. While there may also be changes in water volume and other nutrient levels, the greatest impact is typically on nitrates.

Quiz 16: Practical Nutrient Management

Concentrated animal production as is practiced in modern industrial agriculture usually results in ______.

In recent years, a soil test for nitrogen has been developed and widely used in humid regions in predicting how much nitrogen will need to be applied to supplement natural mineralization in the soil.This test is called the _______.

The nutrient element magnesium is often supplied by which type of application?

The PSNT nitrogen soil test is designed to be used in growing _____.

Within the technical capabilities of the particular lab, most soil test results can be best interpreted as indicating the _______________________.

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element sulfur is often accomplished by which type of application?

Modern nutrient management is designed to _____________.

A grass cover crop grown on cropland over the winter season in a humid temperate region can be expected to ______

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element potassium is often accomplished by which type of application?

If soil test results for P are available, the optimum amount of P fertilizer to apply to a crop can be best recommended by __________.

Of the macronutrients, which can be most correctly said to be a renewable resource?

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element nitrogen is often accomplished by which type of application?

To monitor the effects of management on soil fertility, it is best to sample the soils in an area _______.

Fertilization to supply the nutrient element iron is often accomplished by which type of application?

Perforation placement is usually used to fertilize _____.

Well-vegetated buffer strips 10 to 20 meters wide can be expected to reduce the total N content of runoff water by about ______.

Buffer strips principally function in nutrient management to _______.

A cover crop is usually grown for the purpose of _________.

For a year or so after clear-cut (even-aged) harvesting large areas of mature forest, the streams draining the watershed can be expected to carry ______ than before the harvest.