English for agronomy students. Учебное пособие на английском языке для аудиторных занятий и самостоятельной работы для студентов по специальности 35.0

5.In what way can the water supply in the soil be improved?

6.What reduces evaporation from the surface of the soil?

7.What effect does the presence of organic matter have on the soil?

8.In what way is temperature of the soil usually improved?

9.What is air supply in the soil ensured by?

10.What effect does the use of fertilizers have on the soil?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

MODULE 10

Soil Texture

Soil is the thin layer on the surface of the Earth on which the living beings survive. Soil is a unique substance, made up of minerals (sand, silt, clay), air, water, and organic matter. It is not a dead mass but an abode of millions of organisms, which includes crabs, snails, earthworms, mites, millipedes, centipedes.

Texture of a soil refers to the size of its particles. Soils range from pure sands to pure clays. The principal classes are sand, sandy loam, clay loam, and clay. A soil with a large proportion of clay particles is usually called a heavy soil, and the one with a large proportion of sand – a light soil, the two types differing greatly in the ease of cultivation. The type of soil that plant growers prefer is loamy soil. It contains a balance of all soil materials—silt, sand and clay—plus humus. It has a higher pH and calcium levels because of its previous organic matter content.

Among soil constituents, water is the most important one. The finer the soil particles, the more water the soil holds. Extremely coarse sandy soils are unable to store moisture in sufficient amounts for crops to grow well.

Air, which makes up from 20 to 25 percent by volume of an ordinary moist soil, supplies oxygen necessary for root growth and for oxidation of organic matter and other soil constituents.

Good soils contain adequate amounts of available nutrients to meet the needs of a crop plant for normal growth. About 30 chemical elements are found in plants, the most essential being carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur.

In addition to the mineral composition of soil, humus also plays an extremely important role in soil characteristics and fertility for plant life. Humus is the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms. In a balanced soil, plants grow in an active and vibrant environment. Without the activities of soil organisms, that break down the organic matter, dead matter would accumulate and litter the soil surface, and there would be no food for plants.

EXERCISES TO THE TEXT

Exercise 1. Read, write down and learn the words and word-combinations.

Exercise 2. Give the Russian for the following words and word-combinations:

1)Thin layer, 2) a living being, 3) to survive, 4) a unique substance, 5) made up of minerals,

6)to accumulate, 7) silt, 8) clay, 9) organic matter, 10) an abode of, 11) a crab, 12) a snail, 13) an earthworm, 14) a mite, 15) a millipede, 16) a centipede, 17) soil constituents.

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Exercise 3. Give the English for the following words and word-combinations:

1)Тяжелая почва, 2) глина, 3) почвенные частицы, 4) разложение мертвого вещества,

5)гумус, 6) удовлетворять потребности растений, 7) достаточное количество питательных веществ, 8) легкая почва, 9) живая среда, 10) засорять поверхность почвы, 11) разложение

листьев, 12) содержать 13) доступный, 14) грубые песчаные почвы, 15) расщеплять, 16) суглинок, 17) песчаный суглинок.

Exercise 4. Insert the correct prepositions:

1)Texture … a soil refers … the size … its particles.

2)Coarse sandy soils are unable to store moisture … sufficient amounts … crops to grow well.

3)… 30 chemical elements are found … plants.

4)Air supplies oxygen necessary … root growth and … oxidation … organic matter and other soil constituents.

5)Humus also plays an extremely important role … soil characteristics and fertility … plant life.

6)… a balanced soil, plants grow … an active and vibrant environment.

7)Soil is a unique substance, made … of minerals (sand, silt, clay), air, water, and organic

matter.

Exercise 5.

1) Find the synonyms among the following words:

Heavy, to break down, adequate, highly, component, to store, sufficient, vibrant environment, constituent, extremely, hard, to accumulate, lively surroundings, to decay.

2) Find the antonyms among the following words:

Unable, vibrant, organic, to clean the soil, able, active, inorganic, composition, dead, to litter the soil, decomposition, passive.

Exercise6. Translate into English.

1. Почва состоит из минералов, воздуха, воды и органического вещества. 2. Почва с большим содержанием глины называется тяжелой, а с большим содержанием песка – легкой. 3. Чем меньше почвенные частицы, тем больше воды удерживает почва. 4. Крупно песчаные почвы не способны удерживать влагу в достаточных количествах, чтобы растения хорошо росли. 5. Гумус формируется при разложении мертвого вещества микроорганизмами. 6. Микроорганизмы разлагают органическое вещество, чтобы растения использовали его в качестве пищи. 7. Хорошие почвы содержат как гумус, так и неорганические питательные вещества, чтобы удовлетворить потребности растений для нормального роста.

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions.

1.Why is soil a unique substance?

2.What is soil consists of?

3.What are the principal types of soil?

4.What is the difference between heavy and light soils?

5.What is humus?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

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MODULE 11

Seedbed Preparation

A good seedbed that supplies the proper environment for germination is of great importance in ensuring an optimum stand of the crops to be grown. Such seedbed is to insure adequate moisture for germination at the due seeding depth. The soil particles must be in contact with the seed they surround to allow the maximum water absorption for rapid germination.

Before planting, a grower has to perform cultivation practices that insure the proper environment for germination and at the same time preserve soil structure and minimize water loss due to evaporation from the soil surface. If the soil were too finely pulverized, crusting would occur. To maintain good structure the soil should not be cultivated when it is wet.

The first tillage operation following the preceding harvest is to destroy crop residues and to incorporate them into the soil to be used for seeding. In some regions this is done in the fall, while in areas with short growing season this operation is delayed until early spring. Early cultivation allows more time for organic matter to decompose.

Final seedbed preparation is completed in spring or late summer for crops to be sown in the fall. The first step is to cultivate with discs or harrows, or both. The soil surface is to be worked finely enough to minimize evaporation and to insure fine and mellow seedbed. It has to be cultivated deeply enough to kill early growing weeds. After cultivation, fields are sometimes rolled to insure a firm seedbed. This is quite common in preparing the seedbed for most forage grasses. For crops that require irrigation beds should be formed before rolling. To conserve moisture final seedbed preparation should be followed by immediate planting.

However, even the best seedbed will not insure a good stand unless there is enough oxygen and proper temperature for seed germination.

EXERCISES TO THE TEXT

Exercise 1. Read, write down and learn the words and word-combinations.

Exercise 2. Give the Russian for the following words and word-combinations:

1) Proper environment for germination, 2) an optimum stand seeding depth, 3) to be in contact with the seed, 4) to perform cultivation practices, 5) to preserve soil structure, 6) to minimize water loss, 7) crusting, 8) to destroy crop residues, 9) to be delayed until early spring, 10) to incorporate, 11) in the fall, 12) seedbed, 13) to cultivate with discs, 14) to be worked finely, 15) 16) final seedbed preparation, 17) immediate planting.

Exercise 3. Give the English for the following words and word-combinations:

1) Всходы культуры, 2) надлежащая среда, 3) проводить мероприятия по обработке почвы, 4) минимизировать потерю влаги, 5) прорастание, 6) сохранять структуру почвы, 7) подготовка пашни, 8) немедленная посадка, 9) надлежащая пашня, 10) первая обработка почвы, 11) предшествующий урожай, 12) обработать достаточно мелко, 13) грядки должны быть сформированы перед прикатыванием, 14) уничтожить растительные остатки, 15) испарение, 16) обеспечить тонкую и мягкую пашню, 17) уничтожить ранние сорняки.

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Exercise 4. Insert the correct prepositions:

1)The soil particles must be … contact … the seed they surround to allow the maximum water absorption … rapid germination.

2)To maintain good structure the soil should not be cultivated … it is wet.

3)Cultivation practices insure the proper environment … germination and … the same time preserve soil structure and minimize water loss due to evaporation … the soil surface.

4)Final seedbed preparation is completed … spring or late summer … crops to be sown …

the fall.

5)… crops that require irrigation beds should be formed … rolling.

6)… the soil were too finely pulverized, crusting would occur.

7)To conserve moisture final seedbed preparation should be followed … immediate

planting.

Exercise 5.

1) Find the synonyms among the following words:

To provide, immediate, moist, to crush, favourable, to sustain, delicately, to pulverize, instant, finely, to maintain, rapid, to insure, quick, wet, optimum.

2) Find the antonyms among the following words:

Proper, to save crop residues, rapid, wet, to allow, absorption, to minimize evaporation, to destroy crop residues, a soft seedbed, to enlarge evaporation, improper, to prohibit, distraction, a firm seedbed, dry, slow.

Exercise 6. Translate into English.

1. Надлежащая пашня обеспечивает хорошие всходы культуры, которая будет выращиваться. 2. Чтобы обеспечить надлежащую среду для прорастания, растениевод должен провести некоторые мероприятия по обработке почвы. 3. Важно сохранить структуру почвы и минимизировать потерю влаги из-за испарения. 4. Почва не должна измельчаться слишком сильно. 5. Почва должна быть обработана достаточно глубоко, чтобы уничтожить сорняки. 6. Иногда необходимо прикатывать почву, чтобы обеспечить плотную пашню. 7. За подготовкой пашни должна следовать немедленная посадка, для того чтобы сохранить влагу.

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions.

1.What insures rapid germination?

2.What cultivation practices does seedbed preparation include?

3.Why is the soil to be worked finely?

4.Why is the soil not to be pulverized too finely?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

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MODULE 12

Fertilizers

Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions:

six macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S);

seven micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn).

There are various methods of fertilization. Broadcast application means spreading the material uniformly over the soil surface, usually before the crop is planted. Sometimes the fertilizer is placed directly over the growing crop, which is known as top dressing. When plants are subject to injury fertilizers can be put alongside the plants as a side-dressing, the latter being often made along with cultivation.

Sometimes a mixed fertilizer containing two or more fertilizer elements is to be applied, the time of placement being highly essential. Agronomists believe cereals to receive a top dressing in the spring. Row crops such as corn receive a side dressing after the plants made some growth. With many crops nitrogen is applied several times during the growing season because we know it to subject to leaching and conversion to unavailable forms. But one should not forget that too much nitrogen tends to cause lodging, late maturity, poor seed development in some crops and greater susceptibility to certain diseases.

EXERCISES TO THE TEXT

Exercise 1. Read, write down and learn the words and word-combinations.

Exercise 2. Give the Russian for the following words and word-combinations:

1)Broadcast application, 2) to provide macronutrients and micronutrients, 3) synthetic origin, 4) to supply, 5) methods of fertilization, 6) directly, 7) a top dressing, 8) a side-dressing, 9) along with cultivation, 10) a mixed fertilizer, 11) to be subject to injury, 12) a row crop, 13) to make some growth, 15) susceptibility to certain diseases, 16) leaching, 17) to cause

.

Exercise 3. Give the English for the following words and word-combinations:

1) Междурядная подкормка, 2) сера, 3) распространять равномерно, 4) поверхностная подкормка, 5) внесение удобрений вразброс, 6) выщелачивание, 7) хлор, 8) марганец,

полегание.

Exercise 4. Insert the correct prepositions:

1) Fertilizers typically provide … varying proportions macronutrients and micronutrients.

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2)Broadcast application means spreading the material uniformly … the soil surface; usually

…the crop is planted.

3)… plants are subject … injury fertilizers can be put alongside the plants … a side-dressing, the latter being often made … with cultivation.

4)Row crops such as corn receive a side dressing … the plants made some growth.

5)Cereals receive a top dressing … the spring.

6)Nitrogen is applied several times … the growing season.

7)Too much nitrogen tends to cause lodging, late maturity, poor seed development in some crops and greater susceptibility … certain diseases.

Exercise 5.

1) Find the synonyms among the following words:

To supply, use, evenly, in varying proportions, a method, transformation, to cause, uniformly, to induce, to provide, a form, in different proportions, conversion, application.

2) Find the antonyms among the following words:

Unavailable, to give, health, early maturity, to supply, poor seed development, to lack, disease, available, late maturity, development, to receive, good seed development, decline.

Exercise 6. Continue the sentences:

1.Fertilizers are added to the soil in order to …

2.Broadcast application means…

3.Top dressing means …

4.Side-dressing is usually used when …

5.Nitrogen is applied several times during the growing season because …

6.One should know that too much nitrogen causes …

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions:

1.What is fertilizer?

2.What methods of fertilization do you know?

3.What micronutrients and macronutrients are essential for crops to grow well?

4.What is the mixed fertilizer?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

MODULE 13

Vegetables

We have been classifying various vegetables grown in gardens as 1) hardy, not injured by white frost after sprouting; 2) tender vegetables, injured by slight frost either when young, or by early frosts.

We have been planting vegetables of the hardy group in very early spring as soon as the ground is fit to work, without regard to the possibility of heavy frosts occurring later. We have not been planting seed or plants of the tender group in the open until all danger of late spring frosts is past. A number of these plants are started in hotbeds much earlier.

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Among tender vegetables may be mentioned beans of all kinds, cucumber, pepper, pumpkin, tomato, etc.

Hardy garden vegetables, which may be started in early spring can stand at least a light frost are: asparagus, beets, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, horse-radish, lettuce, onions, parsley, potato, peas, radish, rhubarb, spinach and turnip.

Gardeners have been classifying plants also according to the treatment which they may require. Beans and peas are grouped together because they often require supports. The vine plants, such as cucumber, pumpkin, etc., belong to the gourd family, and are alike in many respects. They have the same insect enemies, and the distance at which they are planted is very great. They are also warm weather crops.

Root crops, such as beets, carrots, onions require similar soil and soil treatment. A number of them have also the same soil diseases.

Perennial garden plants, such as rhubarb and asparagus, are considered together because they should be placed at one side of the garden to enable ploughing for the annual crops. -. Salad plants include such crops as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, parsley and sometimes spinach. They require similar soil treatment and are much improved by plenty of organic matter in the soil.

EXERCISES TO THE TEXT

Exercise 1. Read, write down and learn the words and word-combinations.

Exercise 2. Give the Russian for the following words and word-combinations:

l)Sprouting; 2) injured by slight frost; 3) as soon as the ground is fit to work; 4) tender group;

5)without regard to; 6) late spring frost; 7) to start in hotbeds; 8) pumpkins; 9) hardy garden vegetables; 10) to stand; 11) according to the treatment; 12) vine plant; 13) to be alike in many respects; 14) perennial garden plants; 15) gourd family

Exercise 3. Give the English for the following words and word-combinations:

1)однолетнее растение; 2) корнеплод; 3) тыква; 4) спаржа; 5) прорастать; 6) заморозки;

7)сельдерей; 8) ревень; 9) зимостойкий; 10) многолетнее растение; 11) салат; 12) повреждать;

13)выдерживать заморозки; 14) цветная капуста; 15) парник.

Exercise 4. Insert the correct prepositions

1)One can classify various vegetables grown ... gardens ... hardy and tender vegetables.

2)The hardy group is planted … very early spring … the ground is fit to work.

3)The tender group is planted ... the open ... all danger of late spring frost is past.

4)Gardeners classify plant also … … the treatment which they require.

5)The vine plants … … cucumber, pumpkin etc. belong ... the gourd family.

Exercise 5.

1) Find the synonyms among the following words:

White frost; tender vegetables; ground; plant; hotbed; gardener; slight frost; soil; greenhouse; crop; warm weather croups; farmer.

2) Find the antonyms among the following words:

Hardy group; the same; till; early spring; perennial; to be alike; until; tender group; different; late spring; annual; to be unlike; organic matter; often; inorganic matter; seldom.

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Exercise 6. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate words from given below. Translate them in to Russian.

1)Various plants adapt themselves to the ....

2)The best time ... vegetables are in cloudy weather.... crops require similar soil and soil ....

3)Salad plants include such crops as ...,...,..., and other. ... vegetables are started in ... much

earlier.

(tender; climate; to plant; hotbeds; cabbage; lettuce; root; cauliflower; treatment)

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions:

1.How have we been classifying various vegetables grown in gardens?

2.Name some tender vegetables, some hardy vegetables.

3.When may the hardy vegetables be started?

4.Where can the plant of the tender group be started before they are planted in the open?

5.How do gardeners classify vegetables?

6.Name some vine plants.

7.What family does such vegetables as cucumbers and pumpkins belong to?

8.Name some root crops.

9.What are the most common salad plants?

10.Why are such plants as rhubarb and asparagus considered together?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

MODULE 14

Fruit-Growing

Tree Fruits

There are many types of fruits, as well as many varieties of each type. Tree fruits such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, and peaches are commonly grown in orchards.

Apples. The apple is perhaps the most widely cultivated and best known fruit of temperate climates, closely related to the pear. There are many valuable varieties of apples. Varieties may be classified according to their season of maturing, as summer, fall, and winter. The last group includes varieties of apples which are best for storage, as they keep the best. Apples of different varieties adapt themselves to a rather wide range of soils, but in general the loams or heavy loams are much better for apples than lighter soils.

Pears. The pear is a fruit tree very largely cultivated for the sake of its juicy fruit. Pears were first grown in Asia and later in Europe and America. A number of varieties of pears are self-sterile, and should be set near others which can furnish them pollen during the blossom season. So they palletize not only themselves but aid also palletizing others growing near them. The crop may be grown well on heavy soils.

Plums. Plums are extensively grown in milder climates mainly for their tasty fruit. They are closely related to apricots, cherries, and peaches. By long cultivation various garden forms have been produced. The cultivated varieties of the plum are very numerous. There are larger and smaller kinds, but their value is mainly reckoned by their sweetness and flavours rather than by their size. The range

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of soils for plums is quite varied. Many varieties are well suited to heavy loams and others are successful on soils which are much lighter.

Cherries. There are two main classes of cherries: 1) sweet cherries, several varieties of which mature quite early in the season; 2) sour cherries, which usually mature later in the season. The soil for cherries should be well drained and may vary from light loam to medium loam. The crop thrives best where the weather is moist up to picking time.

Peaches. Peaches were first grown in China. As the peach is very susceptible to frost during the blossom period, and the trees are somewhat tender, its distribution is not so general as that of the apple in severe winter climate. Winter killing of buds is much more common in districts not protected by large bodies of water. Soils may be lighter for the peach than for the apple.

Citrus fruits include the orange, the lemon and the tangerine. These must be grown in climates where there is no serious danger of frost. The trees are evergreen.

EXERCISES TO THE TEXT

Exercise 1. Read, write down and learn the words and word-combinations.

Exercise 2. Give the Russian for the following words and word-combinations:

1) tree fruits; 2) to be commonly grown in orchards; 3) temperate climate; 4) variety; 5) closely related to; 6) season of maturing; 7) to be best for storage; 8) to adapt oneself; 9) loam; 10) for the sake of juicy fruit; 11) heavy loam; 12) self-sterile; 13) to furnish smth. pollen; 14) to pollenize oneself; 15) to thrive.

Exercise 3. Give the English for the following words and word-combinations:

1) периодцветения; 2) сортгруши; 3) созревать; 4) кислаявишня; 5) адаптироваться к различным почвам; 6) чувствительный к заморозкам; 7) быть вечнозеленым; 8) ценные сорта яблок; 9) ценность слив; 10) яблоки - самые широко возделываемые фрукты; 11) ради (из-за) сочных фруктов; 12) самостерильный; 13) снабжать пыльцой; 14) продолжительное возделывание некоторых сортов; 15) сладкая вишня.

Exercise 4. Insert the correct prepositions

1)Insects carry pollen ... one flower ... another.

2)To store fruit well it must be picked ... the proper stage ... maturity.

3)The value of plums is mainly reckoned ... their sweetness and flavor rather than ... their size.

4)Apples may be classified ... summer, fall, and winter.

5)Pears should be set ... other to furnish them pollen ... the blossom season.

Exercise 5.

1) Find the synonyms among the following words:

To grow; for the sake of; variety; flavour; to mature; to pollinize; season; because of; species; to cultivate; taste; to furnish pollen; to ripe; time.

2) Find the antonyms among the following words:

Dark soil; to protect; severe winter climate; to be drained; blossom season; to defend; temperate climate; to be moist; light soil; picking time.

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Exercise 6. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate words from given below. Translate them in to Russian.

1)... takes place when flowers of one plant are pollinated from the flowers of other plants of the same ....

2)Grain crops, such as oats, barley and wheat are ....

3)The ... of fruit is better when it is matured completely upon trees.

4)Many ... are well ... to heavy loams.

5)The ... is very susceptible to frost during the blossom period,

(peach; cross-pollination; flavour; suited; self-pollinated; varieties)

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions:

1.What is the most common tree fruit grown in chards?

2.How may the various varieties of apples be classified?

3.Which apples are best for storage?

4.What soil do apples of different varieties adapt themselves to?

5.What art of the world were pears first grown in?

6.Why should a number of varieties of pears be set near each other?

7.What soils do plums grow in best?

8.What are the main classes of cherries?

9.Where do cherries thrive best?

10.What country were peaches first grown in?

11.Why the distribution of the peach not s general as that of apple?

12.What fruits do the citrus fruits include?

13.What climates do citrus fruits thrive best in?

Exercise 8. Make up the plan of the text and retell it.

MODULE 15

Small Fruits

This group includes the raspberry, blackberry, gooseberry, and currant. These are true bush

fruits.

Strawberries and grapes are less commonly spoken of as small fruits, but are sometimes included here.

Raspberries are of two main types: 1) the black varieties, and 2) the red and yellow varieties. Raspberries grow on any good, well-drained loam. They respond well to heavy applications of manure and much well-rotted organic matter in the soil is beneficial the berries are borne on shoots arising from canes only one year old. The old canes should be re moved by pruning them away as soon as the crop is picked.

Gooseberries may be propagated either by, cuttings or by layering. When grown on a large scale, the bushes, which are set in early spring, are placed in rows about four feet apart to allow for tillage. Pruning consists chiefly in removing the very oldest growth, but the stems should be allowed to remain for several years.

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