Plant Systems AG3 & AG4
Essential Questions:
1. How do plant classification, plant anatomy, and plant physiology affect the production and management of plants?
2. What are the necessary steps to Prepare and implement a plant management plan that addresses the influence of environmental factors,
nutrients and soil on plant growth?
3. How can one affectively propagate, culture, and harvest plants?
Essential Vocabulary: acid, anion, annuals, biological control, cation, cation exchange capacity, chemical control, conservation tillage, continuous
cropping, conventional tillage, crop rotation, crop scouting, cultivar, cultural control, Dichotomous key, double cropping, fixing, genetic control,
integrated pest management(IPM), organic farming, parasites, perennials, pest population equilibrium, pH, post emergence tillage, pre-plant
tillage, soil fertility, primary tillage, saprophyte, secondary tillage, sustainable agriculture, weed map
Essential Understanding
The student will demonstrate competence in the application of scientific principles and techniques to the production and management of
plants.
PS.01: Apply knowledge of plant classification, plant anatomy and plant physiology to the production and management of plants.
Students will know…
Students will understand that…
Students will be able to…
Prior Background Knowledge
Required:
 how to classify agricultural
 taxonomy is also used to
 describe the morphological
plants according to
demonstrate the diversity
characteristics used to
 computer experience
taxonomy systems.
of organisms, how they are
identify agricultural plants.
 basic Math and ELA skills
related, and how they have
(Range Management)
 basic speaking and
evolved.
(Noxious Weeds)
listening skills
Vocabulary:
(Agronomic Crops) (Plant
 a life cycle is defined as the
 basic collaboration tools
Propagation) (Floral
 annuals
time required for a seed to
design) (landscape design
germinate, the seedling to
 cultivar
with plants)
grow vegetative, flower,
 dichotomous key
and produce viable seed.
 prepare and deliver a
 perennials
multi-part plant
 Perennials
classification, anatomy, and
 taxonomy
physiology project and
presentation.
Drafted July 1, 2015
PS.02: Prepare and implement a plant management plan that addresses the influence of environmental factors, nutrients and soil on plant
growth.
Students will know…
Students will understand that …
Students will be able to…
Prior Background Knowledge
Required:
 how to prepare growing
 soil fertility involves the
 determine the hydraulic
media for use in plant
storage of nutrients and
conductivity for soil and
 computer experience
systems.
refers to the availability of
how the results influence
 basic Math and ELA skills
those
nutrients
for
plants.
irrigation practices. (Soils)
 how to develop and
 basic speaking and
(Agronomic Crops)
implement a fertilization
 soil pH is the measure of
listening skills
(Irrigation)
plan
for
specific
plants
or
acidity
or
alkalinity
of
the
 basic collaboration tools
crops.
soil.
 discuss the influence of pH
and cation exchange
 soil productivity can be
capacity on the availability
affected by organic matter,
Vocabulary:
of nutrients. (Soils)
soil depth, surface slope,
(Influence of
 acid
soil organisms, and
Environmental factors)
nutrient balance.
 anion
(Plant Propagation)
 cation
 prepare and deliver a
 cation exchange capacity
multi-part plant
 pH
management plan
 soil fertility
addressing environmental
factors on plant growth.
PS.03: Propagate, culture and harvest plants.
Students will know…
Prior Background Knowledge
Required:
 how to demonstrate plant
propagation techniques.
 computer experience
 how to develop and
 basic Math and ELA skills
implement a plant
 basic speaking and
management plan for crop
listening skills
production.
 basic collaboration tools
 how to develop and
implement a plan for
Drafted July 1, 2015
Students will understand that …
Students will be able to…
 there are a variety of tillage
 explain pollination, crosssystem options available to
pollination and selfthe crop producer.
pollination of flowering
plants. (Plant Propagation)
 conservation tillage is a
tillage program aimed at
 demonstrate sowing
reducing erosion by leaving
techniques and provide
crop residues on a rough
favorable conditions for
soil surface.
seed germination.


integrated pest
management.
how to apply principles
and practices of sustainable
agriculture to plant
production.
how to harvest, handle and
store crops.



Vocabulary:
 biological control
 chemical control
 conservation tillage
 continuous cropping
 conventional tillage
 crop rotation
 crop scouting
 cultural control
 double cropping
 fixing
 genetic control
 integrated pest
management(IPM)
 organic farming
 parasites
 pest population
equilibrium
 post emergence tillage
 pre-plant tillage
 primary tillage
 saprophyte
 secondary tillage
 sustainable agriculture
 weed map
Drafted July 1, 2015





an understanding of the
major pest groups and their
biology is required to
ensure success in reducing
crop losses due to pests.
the goal of managing pest
populations is to avoid a
profit reduction.
integrated pest
management (IPM) is an
organized program in
which the best
management methods
available are used to keep
pest populations below the
economic injury level.
there are many benefits of
IPM to agriculture and the
environment.
bacteria spread easily, but
there are various methods
for control.
different species of bacteria
affect plants in different
ways.
one of the keys to a
successful integrated pest
management program is
regular monitoring of field
crop conditions and pest
infestations.
scouting for weeds is
necessary to determine the
need to control weeds that
can compete with crops for
light, water, and nutrients.





(Agronomic Crops) (Plant
Propagation) (Forestry)
(Range Management)
define micro propagation,
discuss advantages
associated with the practice
and outline the four main
stages of the process. (Plant
Propagation)
explain the principles
behind recombinant DNA
technology and the basic
steps in the process.
(Agronomic Crops) (Plant
Propagation)
give examples of the risks
and advantages associated
with genetically modified
plants. (agronomic Crops)
(plant propagation)
inspect propagation
material for evidence of
pests or disease.
(Agronomic Crops)
(Diagnose plant and
wildlife disease) (Influence
of Environmental factors)
(plant propagation)
prepare soil for planting
with the addition of
amendments. (soils) (Waste
Management and compost)
(Agronomic Crops)
(Influence of environmental
factors) (plant propagation)
(Floral design)

insect pests can be
monitored in several ways,
and several methods of
scouting are utilized.






Drafted July 1, 2015
prepare growing media for
planting. (plant
propagation)
identify types of plant pests
and disorders. (diagnose
plant and wildlife diseases)
(Manage insects) (IPM)
(agronomic crops) (Floral
design)
identify major local weeds,
insect pests and infectious
and noninfectious plant
diseases. (Range
Management) (forestry)
(Aquatics) (Diagnose plant
and wildlife diseases)
(agronomic crops)
(influence of environmental
factors on plants) (IPM)
design and implement a
scouting program. (IPM)
(diagnose plant and
wildlife diseases)
describe damage caused by
plant pests and diseases.
(Diagnose plant and
wildlife diseases) (IPM)
(Influence of environmental
factors on plants) (pesticide
application) (Managing
insects)
diagram the life cycles of
major plant pests and
diseases. (Diagnose plant
and wildlife diseases)
(IPM) (pesticide





Drafted July 1, 2015
application) (Managing
insects)
describe pest control
strategies associated with
integrated pest
management. (IPM)
(pesticide application)
(Managing insects)
describe types of pesticide
controls and formulations.
(IPM) (pesticide
application) (Managing
insects)
explain risks and benefits
associated with the
materials and methods
used in plant pest
management. (IPM)
(pesticide application)
(Managing insects)
(Human use of Natural
Resources) (Influence of
Environmental factors)
explain procedures for the
safe handling, use and
storage of pesticides. (IPM)
(pesticide application)
(Managing insects)
evaluate environmental
and consumer concerns
regarding pest
management strategies.
(IPM) (pesticide
application) (Managing
insects) (human use of
Natural Resources)



Drafted July 1, 2015
explain sustainable
agriculture and objectives
associated with the
strategy. (Animal
Production Environmental
Factors) (Aquatics)
(Forestry) (Range
Management) (Wetlands)
(Human use of Natural
Resources) (Waste
Management and
Composting) (Agronomic
crops) (influence of
environmental factors on
plants) (IPM) (Plant
Propagation)
describe sustainable
agriculture practices and
compare the ecological
effects of traditional
agricultural practices with
those of sustainable
agriculture. (Animal
Production Environmental
Factors) (Aquatics)
(Forestry) (Range
Management) (Wetlands)
(Human use of Natural
Resources) (Waste
Management and
Composting) (Agronomic
crops) (influence of
environmental factors on
plants) (IPM) (Plant
Propagation)
identify harvesting




Drafted July 1, 2015
methods and harvesting
equipment. (Agronomic
Crops) (Harvest, handle
and store crops) (Floral
design) (Equipment safety
and use)
assess the stage of growth
to determine crop maturity
or salability and
demonstrate proper
harvesting techniques.
(Range Management)
(Forestry) (Agronomic
Crops) (Influence of
environmental factors)
(Harvest, handle & Store
Crops) (Measure and
survey natural resources)
explain reasons for
calculating crop yield and
loss. (agronomic crops)
(Commodity marketing)
(Harvest, handle, & Store
crops) (Measure and
survey natural resources)
(range Management)
evaluate crop yield and loss
data. . (agronomic crops)
(Commodity marketing)
(Harvest, handle, & Store
crops) (Measure and
survey natural resources)
(range Management)
implement plans to reduce
crop loss. (agronomic
crops) (Commodity




Drafted July 1, 2015
marketing) (Harvest,
handle, & Store crops)
(Measure and survey
natural resources) (range
Management) (Floral
design)
explain the proper
conditions to maintain the
quality of plants and plant
products held in storage.
(Harvest, handle & Store
crops) (Influence of
environmental factors on
plants) (Floral design)
explain the reasons for
preparing plants and plant
products for distribution.
(agronomic crops)
(Harvest, handle, & Store
crops) (Select and process
food products) (Floral
design)
demonstrate techniques for
grading, handling and
packaging plants and plant
products for distribution.
(agronomic crops)
(Harvest, handle, & Store
crops) (Select and process
food products) (Floral
design)
prepare and deliver a
multi-part plant
propagation, culture,
and/or harvesting project
and presentation.
PS.04: Employ elements of design to enhance an environment. (NA)
Students will know…
Prior Background Knowledge
Required:
 all landscapes should be
planned out before any
 computer experience
installation or construction
 basic Math and ELA skills
begins.
 basic speaking and
 what part hardscape
listening skills
(constructed) elements play
 basic collaboration tools
in the landscape plan.
 how are private citizens
involved in community
horticulture projects.
 how to plant a garden
when there's not enough
space.
 how to make attractive
floral arrangements.
Vocabulary:
 annuals
 cultivar
 perennials
 hardscape
 natural materials
Drafted July 1, 2015
Students will understand that…
 hardscape (constructed)
elements are used in a
landscape design.
 natural material elements
are used in a landscape
design.
 there are many factors
required for maintaining
plants in containers and
small spaces.
 designers can use design
elements to influence how
people feel about an
arrangement or product,
and thus achieve their
objective.
 principles of art can be
applied to areas of
agriculture.
 design elements can
combine into attractive
plant and flower
arrangements.
Students will be able to…
 plan a landscape design
and identify how the
design process begins.
(landscape using
hardscape) (Landscape
using plants)
 describe the value of native
plants and how they can be
used in urban settings.
(Landscape using plants)
 identify community
horticulture projects in
their own neighborhoods.
(landscape using
hardscape) (Landscape
using plants)
 list and identify design
elements used in floral
arrangement as well as in
other designed products.
(landscape using
hardscape) (Landscape
using plants) (Floral
design)
 prepare and deliver a
multi-part landscape
and/or floral design
project and presentation.