Ch. 12

Question 1

control of pest populations by natural predators, parasites, or disease-causing bacteria and viruses

Answer 1

biological pest control

Question 2

partially decomposed organic plant and animal matter used as a soil conditioner or fertilizer

Answer 2

compost

Question 3

plowing and planting across the changing slope of land, rather than in straight lines, to help retain water and reduce soil erosion

Answer 3

contour farming

Question 4

crop cultivation method in which a planting surface is made by plowing land, breaking up the exposed soil, and then smoothing the surface

Answer 4

conventional tillage farming

Question 5

planting a field with different crops from year to year to reduce soil nutrient depletion

Answer 5

crop rotation

Question 6

conversion of rangeland, rain-fed crop land, or irrigated cropland to desert-like land, with a drop in agricultural productivity of 10% or more; usually caused by a combo of overgrazing, soil erosion, prolonged drought, and climate change

Answer 6

desertification

Question 7

organism whose genetic makeup had been altered by genetic engineering

Answer 7

genetically modified organism (GMO)

Question 8

freshly cut or still growing green vegetation that is plowed into the soil to increase the organic matter and humus available to support crop growth

Answer 8

green manure

Question 9

popular term for the introduction of scientifically bred or selected variety of grain that with adequate inputs of fertilizer and water, can greatly increase crop yields

Answer 9

green revolution

Question 10

slightly soluble residue of undigested or partially decomposed organic material in topsoil which helps retain water and water soluble nutrients which can be taken up by plant roots

Answer 10

humus

Question 11

combined use of biological, chemical, and cultivation methods in proper sequence and timing to keep the size of a pest population below the level that causes economically unacceptable loss of crop or livestock animal

Answer 11

integrated pest management (IPM)

Question 12

cultivation of a single crop, usually on a large area of land

Answer 12

monoculture

Question 13

crop cultivation in which the soil is disturbed a little or not at all in an effort to reduce soil erosion, lower labor costs, and save energy

Answer 13

conservation tillage farming

Question 14

growing crops with limited or no use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers etc

Answer 14

organic agriculture

Question 15

complex form of intercropping in which a large number of different plants maturing at different times are planted together

Answer 15

polyculture

Question 16

accumulation of salts in soil that can eventually make the soil unable to support plant growth

Answer 16

salinization

Question 17

planting crops on a long, steep slope that he been converted into series of broad, nearly level terraces with short vertical drops from one to another that runs along the contour of the land to retain water and reduce soil erosion

Answer 17

terracing

Question 18

saturation of soil with irrigation water or excessive precipitation so that the water table rises close to the surface

Answer 18

water logging

Question 19

row of trees or hedges planted to partially block wind flow and reduce soil erosion on cultivated land

Answer 19

windbreak

Question 20

growing two or more different crops at the same time on a plot of land

Answer 20

intercropping

Question 21

land that can be cultivated to grow crops

Answer 21

arable land