CSET: Agriculture (172/173/174) study materials
CSET: Agriculture (172/173/174) study resources

CSET: Agriculture (172/173/174) key terms

CSET: Agriculture (172/173/174) · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Soil texture

The defined particle-size mixture of sand, silt and clay under the relevant classification convention, distinguished from aggregation and arrangement.

Soil structure

The aggregation and arrangement of soil components and pores, which can affect air and water movement without changing the underlying texture proportions.

Cation exchange capacity

A measure of relevant positively charged ion retention under the specified method, not the total availability of every nutrient to every plant.

Representative sample

A sample matching the actual zone and question being examined, rather than a mixture that conceals important differences among plant or soil conditions.

Root collar

The relevant transition between stem and structural roots, which must be identified rather than assumed from the visible potting surface.

Scion

The selected upper plant material in a compatible graft arrangement, distinct from the rootstock and from a newly fixed genetic cross.

Vegetative propagation

Production from suitable plant material without sexual seed formation, which can preserve the selected genotype under the relevant biological conditions.

Plant health history

A record of the species, timing, site, recent work and environmental conditions used to interpret symptoms instead of guessing from one appearance.

Ruminant

An animal with the relevant compartmentalized digestive arrangement and microbial fermentation, distinguished from a claim that every feed is suitable.

Roughage

A feed category characterized by relevant fiber properties, which must be interpreted with the species and full ration rather than as a complete diet.

Heterosis

An expected crossbreeding advantage for relevant traits under the defined comparison, not a guarantee that every offspring exceeds every parent.

Passive immune protection

Protection transferred from an external source such as appropriate colostrum, distinguished from the animal generating its own relevant active immune response.

Nonpoint source

A diffuse contribution from relevant landscape or production pathways rather than a single identified discharge pipe or other defined point.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment that can promote excessive biological growth and related oxygen problems under the actual receiving-water conditions.

Biodiversity

The variety of relevant biological life at appropriate levels, not merely the number of large visible animals in one location.

Carrying capacity

The supported population level under defined environmental and resource assumptions, which can change with time and management.

Equity

The residual interest represented by assets minus liabilities under the stated business accounting basis, rather than cash available in the bank.

Cash flow

The timing and amounts of actual cash receipts and payments, distinguished from profit measured on another revenue and expense basis.

Opportunity cost

The value of the next-best alternative forgone by a decision, which can include relevant monetary and nonmonetary considerations.

Contingency allowance

An estimate allowance for defined uncertainty, which does not by itself authorize a change to contracted scope or a guaranteed price increase.

Power take-off

A system transferring relevant rotational energy to an implement, whose presence entails actual guarding and energy-control considerations.

Variable-rate decision

An input decision responding to mapped or sensed variation, requiring actual data quality and interpretation rather than GPS location alone.

Scale convention

The stated relationship between drawing and actual dimensions, which must be combined with compatible units and relevant tolerances.

Supervised experience

An organized learning arrangement with appropriate responsibility, records and feedback, distinct from unrestricted independent hazardous-work authority.