Key Terms Ch 11

Question 1

Biodegradable

Answer 1

Describes a substance originally made from plant and animal matter that can be broken down into smaller by the activities of living organisms, and is not likely to remain as a pollutant in the environment.

Question 2

Chemical or inorganic fertilizers

Answer 2

Are widely used in agriculture to improve crop yields.

Question 3

Herbicides

Answer 3

Are sprayed on weeds that competes with food crops such as wheat, oats, rice, barley and for nutrients from the soil.

Question 4

Organic foods

Answer 4

are foods such as fruit, vegetables, cereals, dairy and meats that are produced without the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, growth regulators or hormones.

Question 5

Pesticides

Answer 5

Are chemicals that control a particular pest on specific crops

Question 6

Salinity

Answer 6

Occurs if groundwater rises, generally when excess water is added to groundwater supplies, such as through irrigation. As the water table reaches the surface, waterlogging becomes apparent and water and salt emerge through the topsoil, forming salt crusts and killing vegetation and crops.

Question 7

Soil acidification

Answer 7

Occurs when plants take up nutrients and release waste from their roots.

Question 8

Sustainability

Answer 8

In agriculture describes farming practices that are used to sustain the land so it is available for future generations.