Across
- 3. the process where plants absorb water through roots, transport it via the vascular system, and release it as vapor primarily through leaf stomata
- 6. the embryonic root of a plant, representing the first part of a seedling to emerge from the seed during germination
- 7. a highly fertile soil composed of a relatively balanced mixture of sand
- 11. the process of accumulating soluble salts (such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium) in soil or water resources, rendering the land less fertile or non-arable
- 15. the main, upright stalk of a plant or a long, slender part supporting a structure
- 17. any natural or synthetic material, including organic (manure, compost) or inorganic (chemical) substances, added to soil or applied to foliage to supply essential plant nutrients—primarily nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)—to sustain growth, improve health, and increase agricultural crop yields
- 19. the solid/liquid mixture of nutrients used to grow tissues in lab settings (tissue culture media) or the materials utilized for plant roots to grow in (growing/potting media)
- 20. an asexual plant propagation technique that joins tissues from two or more different plants
- 21. a form of asexual vegetative propagation where a single bud from a desirable plant (scion) is grafted onto the stem of another plant (rootstock) to create a genetically identical clone
Down
- 1. a flowering plant (angiosperm) whose embryo produces a single seed leaf (cotyledon)
- 2. linear plantings of trees, shrubs, or grasses designed to reduce wind speed, protect soil from erosion, and protect crops/livestock
- 4. larger than clay but smaller than sand, ranging from 0.0039 to 0.0625 mm
- 5. a dark, organic component of soil formed by the partial decomposition of plant and animal matter
- 8. defined by geologists as having a diameter between 0.06mm and 2mm
- 9. a nutrient-rich, heavy soil component with high cation exchange capacity and a plate-like structure that swells when wet and shrinks when dry
- 10. usually underground, descending organ of vascular plants that anchor the plant, absorb water and minerals, store food, and transport nutrients to the stem
- 12. the scientific process of breaking down rocks, soils, and minerals at or near the Earth's surface through physical, chemical, or biological means
- 13. triggering physiological, genetic, or defense mechanisms to increase reactivity, growth, or immunity
- 14. the removal of soluble nutrients, minerals, or salts from the soil profile or plant tissues by percolating water
- 16. the act of spreading, multiplying, or transmitting something—such as organisms, beliefs, waves, or data—into new areas or in greater numbers
- 18. specialized, lateral outgrowth of a plant stem that acts as the primary photosynthetic organ, generally characterized as a flattened, green, and dorsiventral structure