Horticulture Objective 5

What is the texture of soils that have about equal parts of sand, clay, and silt?

• clay

• loam

• sand

• silt

Which is a lightweight, inorganic mica mineral capable of absorbing a large amount of water in growing media?

• bark

• compost

• leaf mold

• vermiculite

What is the percentage of solid soil particles in an ideal soil?

• 2

• 5

• 50

• 90

Compared to other layers of a typical soil profile, the amount of organic matter in the O horizon is:

• same

• less

• more

• none

Pedro adds compost to condition his soil. What is compost?

• clay

• vermiculite

• decayed organic matter

• volcanic rock

When indicating or measuring pH, the lower the pH number, the:

• less acid

• more acid

• more alkaline

• neutral

The high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of nondecomposed sawdust and wood shavings affects nitrogen in growing media by:

• acts as fertilizer

• makes it unavailable for plants

• increases availability for plants

• stimulates plant growth

Marcy mixes perlite in her soilless mix. What is perlite?

• bark from tree

• dead plant material

• natural volcanic rock

• peat moss

Tamicka uses a commercial blend of horticulture soil because she can depend on the pH of the product being:

• acid

• basic

• alkaline

• neutral

Which is the best inorganic growing media?

• bark

• compost

• vermiculite

• peat moss