PLANT & SOIL SCIENCE Demonstration and Talk Ideas Exploring the World of Plants and Soils Talk about what soil is and how it is formed. Discuss plant growth factors. Explain the parts of a plant. Explain the parts of a flower. Plant Characteristics Talk about how different seeds come through the soil. Explain the different types of plant root systems. Describe the purpose of roots and how they develop. Talk about stems and how they work. Explain how trees grow. Talk about the gases that are used by plants and given off by them. Plant Reproduction Explain the life cycle of plants. Explain how to make a seed collection. Describe the parts of a seed. Explain different methods of germinating seeds. Talk about different ways that plants can be started. Soils Explain how plants respond to fertilizer. Describe how water erodes the soil. Explain the difference in the amount of water that surface soil can hold compared to subsoil. Describe how organic matter affects soil. Demonstrate how to determine soil texture by feel. U of I Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. University of Illinois*USDA*Local Councils Cooperating