LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Crop Yields:

To master the portion of Agronomy 360 related to FACTORS INFLUENCING CROP YIELDS, you should be able to:

1. Define yield and discuss the basis of all crop yield.
2. Describe how crop yields have changed in Kansas over the last 50 years and explain why.
3. Describe the general form of yield change typically exhibited by crop plants over time.
4. Define yield potential and yield gap and discuss the important implications of each.
5. Describe the mechanisms thought to be responsible for improving the ability of a crop to handle environmental stress.
6. List the important factors limiting crop growth and discuss factors which can modify the concept of limiting factors.
7. Diagram the growth curve that typifies most plants. Label and discuss the five distinct phases of this growth cycle.
8. Describe and use the "Law of the Minimum" and the "Law of Diminishing Returns" to explain yield increases.
9. Illustrate the relationship between forage yield and quality.
10. Give examples of crops where quality considerations take priority over high yield.
11. Define cultivar adaptability and describe the relationship between adaptability and yield.

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Seeds:

To master the portion of Agronomy 360 related to SEED COMPOSITION AND QUALITY, you should be able to:

1. Define a seed and list the four physiologically important components of a seed.
2. Describe the difference between a seed, a caryopsis, and an achene. Give an example of a plant that produce a caryopsis and one that produces an achene. 
3. Compare the parts of a monocot versus a legume seed.
4. Define scutellum and aleurone. Describe their function and recall what type of seeds they occur in.
5. Diagram the ontogeny of a seed following fertilization and through physiological maturity.
6. List the major food storage structures used by seeds and give an example of a plant that uses each of these as their primary storage site.
7. Recall the 3 major types of chemical compounds found in seeds and discuss their function. List at least three other compounds found in seeds and discuss their function.
8. Describe, in order, the sequence of events that occur during germination. Describe the major role of the growth regulators gibberellin, cytokinin, and auxin in the germination process.
9. Compare epigeal versus hypogeal emergence and give an example of a crop for each type of emergence.
10. Define and compare dormancy and quiescence.
11. Define "after-ripening" and describe conditions that may be required to accomplish after-ripening of a seed.
12. Discuss the four types of dormancy described in class and describe how each can be overcome.
13. Discuss the key environmental factors that regulate germination.
14. List four factors that effect seed germination through their effect on seed quality.
15. Define and compare seed viability and seed vigor.
16. Describe the process of deterioration that can occur in seeds over time. List at least three symptoms associated with the deterioration of seed quality.
17. Describe how to conduct a standard germination test.
18. Give a brief description of the following seed vigor tests: cold test, accelerated aging test, conductivity test, cool germination test, tetrazolium test, and osmotic stress test.
19. List and describe five important elements of seed quality.
20. List four main components that a seed lot is separated into during the test for analytical purity.
21. List important requirements of the Kansas Seed law that regulates the sale or exchange of agricultural seed.

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Vegetative Development:

To master the portion of Agronomy 360 related to VEGETATIVE DEVELOPMENT, you should be able to:

1. List and describe at least 6 of the major functions of plant roots.
2. Define and explain the purpose of the cortex, endodermis, and pericycle, and vascular cambium.
3. Draw a longitudinal section of a root, label the three growth zones, and briefly discuss the purpose of each zone.
4. Define and explain the purpose of the quiescent zone in the root tip meristem.
5. Describe the functions of the root cap.
6. Compare the typical root systems of a monocot and a dicot plant.
7. Compare the life span and importance of seminal roots in small grains versus corn.
8. Compare the distribution of the root systems (depth and lateral spread) of corn, alfalfa, and wheat.
9. Describe the typical distribution of a plant root system through the soil profile. Why do crop plants generally have this distribution pattern for their roots?
10. Describe the general developmental pattern for a plant root system.
11. Explain how branch (lateral) roots are produced.
12. Compare the process of root growth and extension in dicots and monocots.
13. Define and explain the purpose of compensatory root growth.
14. Explain how root growth and distribution change as a plant matures.
15. Discuss factors that influence root growth and distribution.
16. Predict how the shoot/root ratio changes in response to environmental variables.
17. Define and briefly describe the purpose of apical meristem, intercalary meristem, axillary meristem, and lateral meristem of a plant shoot.
18. Define phytomer, crown, culm, pseudostem, rhizome, stolon, and corm.
19. Draw and label the parts of a phytomer.
20. Describe the process of stem elongation or jointing in a grass plant.
21. Discuss how the following factors affect stem growth: a) plant growth regulators, b) light, and c) daylength.
22. Define tillering, branching, and sucker.
23. Describe the importance of tillering/branching.
24. Discuss how the following factors influence tillering: a) genotype, b) temperature/photoperiod, c) plant competition, d) nitrogen fertility, and e) plant growth regulators.
25. Define lodging and differentiate between stalk and root lodging.
26. Discuss the effects of lodging on crop production.
27. Describe the factors that influence lodging in crop plants.
28. Discuss genetic factors that reduce lodging in crop plants.

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Reproductive Development:

To master the section of Agronomy 360 related to REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT, you should be able to:

1. Define photoperiodism, short day plants (SDP), long day plants (LDP), day neutral plants, phytochrome, vernalization, and basic vegetative phase.
2. Describe and/or differentiate between qualitative and quantitative photoperiodic responses.
3. Describe the flowering process including induction, initiation, and development (Gardner pg. 301-310).
4. Discuss the factors that control the shift from vegetative to reproductive growth (i.e., floral induction) in crops. Describe the role of phytochrome in mediating the floral induction in SDP and LDP.
5. Describe conditions which can limit pollination and fertilization or cause flower abscission.

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Yield Components:

To master the section of Agronomy 360 related to YIELD COMPONENTS AND HARVEST INDEX, you should be able to:

1. List the complete set of yield components for common grain crops and describe how changes in plant population can affect yield components.
2. Define biological yield, economic yield, and harvest index. Calculate biological yield and harvest index.
3. Compare the harvest indices for wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybean.

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Growth Stages - Corn:

To master the section of Agronomy 360 related to GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CORN, you should be able to:

1. Describe how each vegetative stage is defined for corn and identify a given Vn stage if given a description. Also, list (in order of their occurrence) and briefly describe the reproductive stages of corn.
2. Describe when emergence is complete in corn.
3. Describe the stages that represent the beginning and end of vegetative development in corn.
4. Recall the stage at which the growing point is elevated above the ground.
5. Recall the stages of development in which the number of ovules/ear (i.e., rows/ear and ovules/row) and thus ear size are determined.
6. Recall the stage (or time period) when environmental stress will most critically affect yield. Compare the effects of stress on yield (including yield component affected) at the V12, V18, R1, R3, and R5 stages.
7. Recall what stage represents physiological maturity and define black layer formation.
8. Discuss why a corn plant is most vulnerable to hail damage from VT to R1 stages.
9. Describe the pollination and fertilization process in corn.
10. Discuss when the uptake on N, P, and K is complete and where most of each nutrient accumulates.

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Growth Stages - Sorghum:

To master the section of Agronomy 360 related to GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM, you should be able to:

1. List (in order) and describe each stage of development in sorghum.
2. Describe when emergence is complete in sorghum.
3. Compare the regrowth potential of sorghum versus corn when leaf loss occurs before the growing point elevates above the soil.
4. Describe what happens if severe moisture stress or herbicide injury occurs at the boot stage.
5. Discuss N, P, and K uptake and recall where most of each of these nutrients accumulate.

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Growth Stages - Soybean:

To master the section of Agronomy 360 related to GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOYBEAN, you should be able to:

1. Describe how each vegetative stage is defined for soybean and identify a given Vn stage if given a description. Also, list (in order) and describe the reproductive stages of development in soybean.
2. Describe when emergence is complete in soybean.
3. Define raceme, determinate, and indeterminate.
4. List the 3 primary functions of axillary buds.
5. Recall how long vegetative growth continues in an indeterminate type of soybean.
6. Recall the stage when environmental stress will most critically affect yield and the primary yield component affected. Also, describe the effects of stress on yield (including yield components affected) when it occurs at: (1) R1 to R3, (2) R4.5 to R5.5, (3) R5.5 to R6, (4) R6 to 6.5, and (5) R7.
7. Compare the uptake of N, P, and K in sorghum and soybeans.

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Growth Stages - Wheat:

To master the sections of Agronomy 360 related to GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT, you should be able to:

1. List (in order) and describe the 5 major growth stages used in the Feekes scale.
2. List (in order) and briefly describe the 10 major growth stages used in the Zadoks scale.
3. Compare/Contrast the Feekes scale to the Zadoks scale.
4. Describe when emergence is complete in wheat. How does this compare to the definition used for corn and sorghum?
5. Describe the process used to determine when to count a leaf as emerged on a wheat plant. How does this compare to the method used for corn and sorghum?
6. Recall the stage when the growing point is elevated above the soil surface in the Feekes and Zadoks scales.
7. Define prophyll, subcrown internode, and flag leaf.
8. Discuss the 2 locations from which tillers arise on a wheat plant.
9. Explain why a wheat plant rarely produces more than five primary tillers.
10. Discuss the impact a freeze can have on wheat.

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Perennialism:

To master the sections of Agronomy 360 related to PERENNIAL PLANTS AND WINTER HARDINESS, you should be able to:

1. List (in order) and describe the stages of development for perennial grasses and legumes.
2. Discuss the major differences in growth and development that occur between perennial and annual plants.
3. Define annual, biennial, and perennial plants and give an example of each.
4. Recall the major types of nonstructural carbohydrates stored in tropical (warm-season) and temperate (cool-season) plants.
5. List the various plant parts where nonstructural carbohydrates can be stored.
6. Discuss the ways in which stored carbohydrate reserves are utilized by a perennial plant.
7. Recall, in order, the priority for use of stored carbohydrate reserves by a perennial plant following defoliation.
8. Describe the typical seasonal variation in carbohydrate reserves in alfalfa.
9. Discuss how various environmental factors (i.e., fertility, water stress, temperature and light intensity) and defoliation effect carbohydrate reserve levels in perennial plants.
10. Discuss the effect of defoliation height on subsequent growth (above- and below-ground) and carbohydrate reserves.
11. Define critical leaf area index. Compare the values between smooth bromegrass and alfalfa and discuss why they differ.
12. Distinguish between freezing injury and chilling injury.
13. Describe the mechanisms involved with freezing injury.
14. Describe the major plant responses in the winter hardening process.
15. Discuss the role of insulation, drainage, and fertility on winter hardiness.
16. Define physiological drought.
17. List at least 4 management options to improve winter survival of a perennial.

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Physiological Processes:

To master the sections of Agronomy 360 related to PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES, you should be able to:

1. Define photosynthesis and differentiate between the Light and Dark reactions of photosynthesis.
2. Describe what the photosynthetic electron transport chain does in photosynthesis and give the exact location of the photosynthetic electron transport chain in a plant cell.
3. Describe, in general terms, the composition of the Photosystems (PSI and PS II) used by the light reaction of photosynthesis and describe what each photosystem does in the photosynthetic electron transport chain.
4. Describe the carboxylation, reduction, and regeneration steps of the Calvin cycle. Provide a detailed description of the chemical reaction involved in the carboxylation step. Provide a general description of the reduction and regeneration steps.
5. Describe the chemical reaction involved in the carboxylation reaction in the Hatch cycle. Where (what cells) does this reaction take place?
6. List several examples of common C3 and C4 crop plants.
7. Compare C3 and C4 plants in terms of leaf anatomy, CO₂ fixation pathways (and associated carboxylase enzymes), photosynthetic rates, photorespiration, optimum temperature, and CO₂ compensation point.
8. Describe how the anatomical differences between leaves of C3 and C4 plants (krantz anatomy) allows for "compartmentalization" of the CO₂ fixation process and reduces photorespiration in C4 plants.
9. Discuss the effect of light intensity, CO₂ concentration, water stress, temperature, and leaf mineral status on photosynthesis.
10. Define or describe light compensation point, CO₂ compensation point, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).
11. Diagram and discuss the effects of light intensity and CO₂ concentration on carbon exchange rate (CER). Describe how light intensity and temperature effect CER in C3 compared to C4 plants.
12. Discuss why crops only use 1-5% of absorbed solar radiation for photosynthesis.
13. Define aerobic (dark) respiration and discuss how it is affected by temperature.
14. Describe the overall process that occurs in the three interdependent stages of respiration (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and the respiratory electron transport chain) and give the exact location where each stage occurs in the plant cell.
15. Describe, in general terms, the composition of the electron transport chain complexes used in the respiratory electron transport chain.
16. Define photorespiration. Describe how photorespiration occurs and the specific types of losses that can occur in a plant during this process.
17. Define net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), and leaf area duration (LAD).
18. For an annual crop, diagram and discuss how NAR and CGR change over the growing season. How are the changes in CGR over a growing season related to changes in LAI?
19. Diagram the relationship between LAI and CGR. Define and contrast optimum and critical leaf area index.
20. Discuss ways in which leaf area can be controlled.
21. Diagram and describe the relationship between LAI and light interception for a crop canopy.
22. Define leaf canopy architecture and discuss the factors that affect it.
23. Describe how leaf inclination (angle) affects light light attenuation through a crop canopy.
24. Describe how leaf inclination affects light interception and photosynthesis for a single leaf and for the entire canopy.
25. Describe the "ideal plant" in terms of shape, leaf orientation, and height.
26. Define translocation, source, and sink.
27. Identify the major photoassimilate source and various sinks in a crop plant.
28. Discuss the mechanism by which carbohydrates are translocated in a plant.
29. Discuss general patterns for assimilate portioning in a plant and describe how assimilate partitioning changes in a leaf during its development.
30. Define assimilate allocation and describe the three ways carbon can be allocated in a source leaf.
31. Recall the 5 major functions of water in plants.
32. Recall the 4 components of water potential and discuss the importance of each in the soil and in the plant.
33. Describe how water moves through the soil-plant-air continuum.
34. Discuss the influence of various environmental factors on evapotranspiration.
35. Define water use efficiency (WUE) and compare WUE among major crops.
36. Discuss how row spacing, nitrogen, mulch, and tillage influence WUE.
37. Define permanent wilting point, field capacity, and evapotranspiration.
38. Describe how water stress develops in a plant.
39. Discuss how water stress affects a plant at the cellular level, physiologically, and biochemically.

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