Environmental Science Plant Agriculture

Many early farmers of the Western U.S. plains believed a theory called “Rain Follows the Plow.” What was the problem with this theory?

• Farming actually makes it rain less, not more.

• The climate at the time farming took place was not any different than normal.

• The usually high precipitation during this period of early farming and settling was a coincidence.

• This theory is actually true. Farming and settling an area makes it rain more frequently.

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7. Which of these is an example of a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

• A dog that is produced from mating two different breeds.

• Yellow Dent corn, a much larger strain of corn bred from wild varieties.

• A liger, which is born when a male lion and female tiger mate.

• BT corn, which contains a gene from a bacterium that gives it resistance from the European corn borer.

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Which of these is false about the three staple crops?

• They make up the majority (about two-thirds) of human consumption.

• Corn (maize) is a staple crop.

• Rice is a staple crop.

• At least one of the staple crops is an animal product.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without the use of ________________

• Water

• Fertilizer

• Soil

• Sunlight

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The 10% rule applies to raising plants and animals on a farm, just like in an ecosystem. With that in mind, how many pounds of grain would you expect to be needed to produce 10 pounds of beef?

• 10 pounds of grain

• 50 pounds of grain

• 100 pounds of grain

• Over 250 pounds of grain

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Farms that grow organic crops are not allowed to use…

• Botanical pesticides

• Synthetic fertilizers and insecticides

• Compost and manure

• Irrigation

What soil conservation technique is shown to the right?

• Terracing

• Contour plowing

• Monoculture

• A windbreak

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A farmer using an Integrated Pest Management system on his farm would use which of these options as a last resort?

• A synthetic chemical pesticide like Malathion

• Natural predators to the pests

• Choosing breeds of plants that have natural resistance to the pests

• Planting a different crop that is not targeted by the pests

Which one of these techniques would be the best for reducing water erosion on farmland that is along a steep hillside?

• Terracing

• Contour plowing

• Strip cropping

• A windbreak

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Given the “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” lists we looked at, which produce would you expect to have the greatest amount of pesticide residue?

• Cantaloupe

• Grapefruit

• Avocados

• Apples

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