6. Managing Water & Nutrients

Question 1

What does RDI stand for

Answer 1

regulated deficit irrigation

Question 2

What is the process of RDI

Answer 2

is a system of timing and regulating the amount of irrigation so that the vine is put under mild to moderate water stress for a specified time within the growing season. Usually between fruit set and veraison.

Question 3

What does PRD stand for

Answer 3

Partial rootzone drying

Question 4

What is the process of PRD?

Answer 4

irrigation technique where only a portion of a plant’s root system is irrigated at a time, causing the plant to reduce transpiration

Question 5

define Biodegradable

Answer 5

We define biodegradable as the ability for a material to be broken down naturally by the organisms in an ecosystem

Question 6

How does humus increase soil structure

Answer 6

Humus increases soil structure because its resinous nature acts as a “cement” to bind together soil particles, forming aggregates that create a crumbly texture, allowing for better air and water circulation through the soil, while also resisting erosion from wind and water;

Question 7

What is humus

Answer 7

Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays.

Question 8

definition; composted

Answer 8

Composting is the managed, aerobic decomposition of organic materials by microorganism

Question 9

What is the difference between tiling and ploughing

Answer 9

Both refer to breaking up soil in agriculture, key difference is that ploughing involves a deeper turning over of the soil using a plough, whereas tilling refers to a shallower loosening of the soil using a tiller

Question 10

What does the term Soil health refer to

Answer 10

describes the continued capacity of the soil to act as a living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.

Question 11

What factors are considered when determining the health of soil

Answer 11

Term; Soil health;

1. the structure of the soil:
2. The amount of organic matter and humus in the soil:
3. the number of living organisms in the soil:
4. the total amount of available nutrients

Question 12

What are the key techniques in managing nutrients

Answer 12

• Direct application of nutrients
  
  • promoting biological activity and soil structure
  • Weed management

Question 13

what are the three main types of herbicide

Answer 13

• pre-emergence, contact, and systemic.
• Pre-emergence herbicides prevent weed germination by being absorbed by roots.
• Contact herbicides destroy the green parts of established weeds upon contact.
• Systemic herbicides are absorbed through leaves and kill the entire plant.

Question 14

Definition of Permaculture

Answer 14

the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.