APES Chapter 10: Conventional & Sustainable Practices
Chapter 17: Irrigation
10-1 Resources for
Agriculture
Soil
Soil texture
Soil profile
Micorrhizal fungi/
Symbiosis
Surface soil
Sub-soil
Soil Horizons:
 O Horizon
 A Horizon
 E Horizon
 B Horizon
 C Horizon
 Bedrock
 Mollisols
 Alfisols
 aridisols
Rock cycle (See#2 in
Questions)
10-2 Ways We Use &
Abuse Soils
Arable land
Erosion
Gully erosion
Rill erosion
Sheet erosion
Desertification
Name:_________________________
Date_______
10-3 Water &
Nutrients
Salinization
Water Logging
10-4 Pests & Pesticides
17-3, p. 380
Water Availability
Irrigation
Flood Irrigation
Spray Irrigation
Drip Irrigation
Lab Vocabulary:
The Dust Bowl
Pesticide
Biocide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Fungicide
Organophosphates
Chlorinated
hydrocarbons
Fumigants
Inorganic pesticides
Natural organic
pesticides
Microbial agents /
biological controls
Sustainable
Agriculture (See #9
in Questions)
US Dept of Agriculture
(see #10 in Questions)
10-6 Organic & Sust
Agriculture
Organic farming
Integrated Pest
Management
10-7 Soil
Conservation
Contour plowing
Strip farming
Terracing
Perennial species
Ground cover
Cover crops
Mulch
Reduced tillage
Systems
No-Till planting
Locavore
Community
Supported
Agriculture
Laws:
Taylor Grazing Act
Food Quality
Protection Act
Soil Conservation Act
Soil & Water
Permeable
Impermeable
Porosity
Permeability
Leaching
Conservation Act
Chapter Questions:
1. Please read the case study titled Farming the Cerrado.
a. Notes
b. what has driven the farm expansion, the environment and economy of central Brazil?
2. Familiarize yourself with the Rock Cycle using this animation:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
a. Go to the Types of Rock and use the animation to see the different types of rock are found.
b. When finished, go to the The Rock Cycle Diagram and complete the diagram for sedimentary, metamorphic and
igneous. Make a drawing of these cycles.
3. Is soil a renewable or non-renewable resource? Explain.
4. What makes up soil? Name the 6 parts which make up soil.
5. Variations in these components produce an infinite variety in the world’s soils. Write a brief description of these
conditions:
a. abundant clays
b. abundant organic material & sand
c. sand
d. silt
e. organic alone having abundant soil fauna (dead leaves and roots)
f. compacted soils:
6. Soil Profiles – go to this site APES in A Box: Soil Profiles and take notes on the soil horizons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kr3Wj7SeSc
7. Soil Triangle and Characteristics—go to this site APES in a Box: Soil Triangle and take notes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEgHmgnrWzk
8. How to read a Soil Triangle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAYzoVliNFQ
9. What is sustainable agriculture? Go to: http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is-sustainableagriculture-definition-benefits-and-issues.html#lesson
And take notes on what makes up sustainable agriculture (this is not in your book).
10. What does USDA stand for? What is the role of the USDA? Go to:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/agencies/a/usdapage.htm and take notes on their role.
11. The health of the soil ecosystem depends on which events?
12. Which of the soils dominate most of the farming regions of the US?
Chapter 10.2
13. The best agricultural lands occur where the _______________ is moderate—not too cold or too hot.
14. Describe reasons why there are soil losses:
15. Some of the highest erosion rates in the world occur in the US and Canada. The U.S.Department of Agriculture
reports that 69 million hectacres of US farmland and range are eroding at rates that reduce long-term productivity.
What are the causes of this environmental concern?
16. What is the cause of soil loss?
10-3 Water and nutrients.
17. What are the consequences of over-watering?
18. Plants need water, sunshine and carbon dioxide, but they also need small amounts of inorganic nutrients for
growth…name the major elements required by most plants:
19. Some farmers tend to over-fertilize. What are the consequences of over-fertilizing?
20. Why is farming energy-intensive?
Chapter 10.6 Organic & Sustainable Agriculture
21. How does water move through the soil? Please watch this brief overview on soil porosity and permeability.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmo0FRAVgkM&feature=youtu.be
22. According to the USDA rules products labeled 100% must be produced without:
23. Identify 4 ways to control pests (according to IPM-US-EPA) recommends:
24. Name 3 useful organisms to help farmers control the pests: