Question

1. when two separate parent plants are involved in the pollination process, it is known as

a) self - pollination.
c) bisexual pollination.
b) cross - pollination.
d) asexual pollination.

1. many horticultural crops are started from seed because

a) there are very few people who know how to propagate them any other way.
b) it is not possible to propagate them in any other way.
c) it is quick and economical.
d) both b. and c.

1. a good growing medium in which to plant seeds must

a) drain well.
c) be sterile.
b) hold moisture.
d) all of these

1. the first part of the new plant to emerge from the seed is the

a) stem.
c) root.
b) leaves.
d) endosperm.

1. hybrid seeds are developed because they

a) provide greater vigor.
c) are more uniform.
b) produce better crops.
d) all of these

1. the best soil temperature for germinating most seeds is

a) 50° to 60°f
c) 80° to 90°f
b) 75° to 80°f
d) 65° to 70°f

1. pansy and portulaca seeds require three days of darkness for germination to occur. this may be accomplished by

a) covering the flat or pot with newspaper.
b) burying the flat or pot in the ground.
c) planting the seeds at an unusually great depth.
d) none of the above

1. which two of the following materials are mixed in the seeding medium to give good drainage and aeration?

a) peat moss and vermiculite
c) sand and perlite
b) sand and sphagnum moss
d) perlite and peat moss

1. soil sterilization requires heating the soil at

a) 120°f for two hours.
c) 160°f for two hours.
b) 180°f for a half hour.
d) none of these

1. the date to start seeds is very important because

a) there must be greenhouse space made available for them.
b) seed houses have seeds available only at certain times.
c) the seeding medium must be ready.
d) the plants must often be ready for sale or planting at a certain time.

1. the label in a flat of seeds should include the

a) name or type of plant, variety, and date seeded.
b) date seeded and the selling date.
c) percent of germination listed on seed pack.
d) all of the above

Explanation:

• Question 3: Cross - pollination involves two separate parent plants. Self - pollination is within the same plant. Bisexual pollination is not a standard term in this context, and asexual pollination is incorrect as pollination is a sexual process.
• Question 4: Starting horticultural crops from seed is quick and economical. Propagating by other methods (like cuttings) is possible and there are people who know how.
• Question 5: A good growing medium for seeds should drain well (to prevent waterlogging), hold moisture (for seed germination), and be sterile (to prevent diseases).
• Question 6: The first part of a new plant to emerge from the seed is the root.
• Question 7: Hybrid seeds provide greater vigor, produce better crops, and are more uniform.
• Question 8: The best soil temperature for germinating most seeds is \(65^{\circ}\) to \(70^{\circ}F\).
• Question 9: Covering the flat or pot with newspaper can provide the required darkness for pansy and portulaca seeds. Burying too deep can cause other problems (like lack of oxygen), and planting at an unusually great depth is not the standard way.
• Question 10: Sand and perlite are mixed in the seeding medium for good drainage and aeration. Peat moss is more for moisture - holding.
• Question 11: Soil sterilization usually requires heating at \(180^{\circ}F\) for a half - hour. \(120^{\circ}F\) is too low, and \(160^{\circ}F\) for two hours is not the standard.
• Question 12: The date to start seeds is important because the plants must often be ready for sale or planting at a certain time. Greenhouse space can be managed, seed houses have seeds available at different times, and the seeding medium can be prepared in advance.
• Question 13: The label in a flat of seeds should include the name or type of plant, variety, and date seeded. The selling date is not always known at the time of seeding, and the percent of germination on the seed pack is not part of the flat label.

Answer:

1. B. cross - pollination
2. C. it is quick and economical
3. D. all of these
4. C. root
5. D. all of these
6. D. \(65^{\circ}\) to \(70^{\circ}F\)
7. A. covering the flat or pot with newspaper
8. C. sand and perlite
9. B. \(180^{\circ}F\) for a half - hour
10. D. the plants must often be ready for sale or planting at a certain time
11. A. name or type of plant, variety, and date seeded