AGRI 32.

Crop Science II
Third Lecture Exam

1. a. Will physiological maturity always coincide with commercial maturity? Why or why not?
No, because physiological maturity refers to the stage at which a crop has reached its maximum development and is capable of reproducing,
while, commercial maturity is determined based on the intended use or purpose of the crop.For example, a crop may be considered
commercially mature for one purpose, such as baby corn, but not for another purpose, such as green corn or corn for feeds.

b. During washing, baking soda or alum can be added to the wash water. What is the purpose for each
Baking soda is added to wash water to eliminate pesticide residues or other contaminants on the crop surface, as its alkaline nature aids in
breaking down and removing these impurities. Conversely, alum is incorporated into the wash water to maintain the crops’ color and texture. As
an acidic substance, alum firms up the crop cell walls, preventing them from becoming mushy or discolored during cooking or processing.

c. What are the active principles responsible for the ripening action of calcium carbide?
The active principle responsible for the ripening action of calcium carbide is acetylene. When calcium carbide reacts with water, it releases
acetylene gas, which enhances the ripening process of fruits. However, it is important to note that the use of calcium carbide can pose health
hazards due to contaminants like arsenic anhydride.

d. Give the 3 atmospheric constituents responsible for improving shelf life of fresh produce in plastic bags.
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture are the three atmospheric constituents that can enhance the shelf life of fresh produce in plastic bags.
Lowering oxygen levels slows down the respiration rate of the produce, while accumulated carbon dioxide inhibits microbial growth and slows
enzymatic activity. Maintaining appropriate moisture levels prevents dehydration and wilting, thus keeping the produce fresh.

e. As packaging container, carton boxes are provided with holes. Give 2 purposes of those holes.
The holes in carton boxes used as packaging containers serve two crucial functions. Firstly, they facilitate ventilation, allowing air to circulate
freely around the packaged items, which can help maintain their quality. Secondly, these holes help prevent the accumulation of moisture within
the box, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contents due to dampness or mold growth.

f. Give one similarity and one difference for evaporative cooling storage and ventilated cooling storage.
Evaporative cooling storage and ventilated cooling storage both cool the air around stored produce, but they differ in their mechanisms. While
evaporative cooling uses respiration heat to evaporate water, reducing temperature and increasing humidity, ventilated cooling employs natural
airflow from the movement of cooler and warmer air to cool the produce.

2. a. Fermentation in primary processing and fermentation in secondary processing are different. What is the difference?
The main difference is that primary processing fermentation is the first step in the production process, while secondary processing fermentation
is a subsequent step. Primary processing fermentation involves transforming raw agricultural products into a more stable form, such as
fermenting grains to make beer. Secondary processing further processes these stable products, like fermenting beer to create vinegar.

Give the flow of primary processing operations from harvest to primary product for the following crops:
b. Rice processing begins with threshing to separate grains from straw, followed by winnowing to remove chaff and debris. The final step is
polishing, which removes the grain’s outer layer to produce white rice. This process transforms harvested mature rice plants into a more stable
form.

c. Abaca processing starts with stripping fiber from stalks, which are then washed, dried, sorted, and bundled for transport. The end product is
raw abaca fiber, useful for making ropes, textiles, and paper. This process turns harvested abaca into a versatile raw material.
d. Coconut processing involves husk and shell removal to extract the meat, which is then grated and pressed to extract coconut milk. This milk
can be further processed into coconut oil or other products, while the remaining meat can be dried for food or animal feed. This process
transforms harvested coconuts into various useful products.

e. Mungbean processing starts with threshing to separate beans from pods, followed by winnowing to remove chaff and debris. The final step is
cleaning, which removes any remaining impurities and prepares the beans for storage or further processing. This process turns harvested
mungbean plants into clean, ready-to-use beans.

f. Cacao processing begins with harvesting pods and removing beans, which are then fermented to develop flavor and aroma. After drying and
roasting, the beans are winnowed to remove the outer shell, producing cocoa nibs. These nibs can be further processed into various chocolate
products, transforming harvested cacao into a key ingredient for chocolate.

3. a. Can you grow tomato under coconut? Why or why not?

Yes, tomatoes can be grown under coconut as an intercrop during the early phase of coconut growth. During this phase, the level of available
sunlight is moderate to high, which is suitable for growing cereals like corn and legumes like cowpea,and mungbean. However, as the coconut
trees grow and mature, the level of available sunlight decreases, making it unsuitable for growing tomatoes and other high-light requiring crops.

b. In any cropping systems, inclusion of a legume crop is good. Why?

Inclusion of a legume crop in any cropping system is beneficial because legumes have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through
their root nodules. This nitrogen fixation process increases the soil's fertility and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Legumes also help in
weed control and provide additional income through their seeds, which can be sold or used as animal feed.

Give one similarity and one difference for the following:

c. Monoculture and polyculture are cropping systems that involve growing one or multiple crops in a field, respectively. The key distinction is that
monoculture is more prone to pests and diseases, whereas polyculture offers natural pest control and reduces crop failure risk.

d. Intercropping and multi storey cropping are techniques for cultivating multiple crops in the same field. Intercropping grows crops
simultaneously, while multi storey cropping grows crops of varying heights. The primary difference is that intercropping grows crops adjacent to
each other, whereas multi storey cropping grows crops at different levels.

e. Sequential cropping and relay cropping are methods for growing multiple crops in the same field. Sequential cropping grows crops
consecutively, while relay cropping plants the next crop before harvesting the previous one. The main difference is that sequential cropping
grows crops consecutively, whereas relay cropping grows crops concurrently in different parts of the same field.

f. Ecological farming and regenerative farming are sustainable farming practices prioritizing soil health and biodiversity. Ecological farming uses
natural methods for pest and disease management, while regenerative farming improves soil health and increases carbon sequestration. The key
distinction is that regenerative farming aims to restore degraded ecosystems and improve the environment, going beyond sustainability.

4. a. When can floriculture and landscape horticulture overlap and disconnect?

Floriculture and landscape horticulture both involve the cultivation and marketing of plants, as well as aspects of flower arrangement and
landscape design. However, floriculture primarily focuses on flowers and ornamental plants, while landscape horticulture covers a wider range of
specialties, including plant identification, cultivation, and management of nurseries and garden centers.

b. What forms floriculture plants are marketed?

Floriculture plants are marketed in various forms, including potted plants, cut flowers, and ornamental plants. Potted plants are often sold in
containers and are popular for indoor and outdoor decorative purposes. Cut flowers are marketed for use in floral arrangements, events, and as
decorative elements. Ornamental plants, such as shrubs and vines, are also marketed for landscaping and decorative purposes in gardens.