Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Plant & Soil Science (2018)

Other Kansas CTE sets

History and Careers in Plant Science

  • 1

    Investigate the diversity of careers in plant science1

  • 2

    Attend job or career fields 2

  • 3

    Contact plant science professional organizations3

  • 4

    Job shadow a professional in the plant industry 4

  • 5

    Create a timeline of the history of plant science, relating the past, present and future 5

Basic soil properties and fertility 

  • 1

    Define soil texture and structure  1

  • 2

    Use the textural triangle to identify classification 

  • 3

    Describe water holding capacity, available water, and wilting points, permeability, leaching are effected by soil texture and nutrient availability 

  • 4

    Perform and Interpret soil test data and give objective recommendations 4

  • 5

    Describe how mass flow, diffusion, and root interception affect nutrient uptake 5

  • 6

     Illustrate the N-cycle and how climate, soil, and plants effect it  6

  • 7

    Describe and distinguish between the different soil management practices in Ag7

  • 8

    Describe how pH affects soil health and nutrient availability8

  • 9

    Distinguish between point and nonpoint sources in the environment 9

  • 10

    Illustrate the water cycle and how climate, soil, and plants effect it 10

  • 11

    List and differentiate between micro and macro soil nutrients11

  • 12

    Outline the impact of soils on crop yields 12

  • 13

    Identify various types of parent material types and soil forming factors13

  • 14

    Describe methods of building soil fertility14

  • `15

    Explain considerations for determining N, P, and K for soil fertility and plant growth 15

  • 16

    Formulate the proper mix of dry fertilizer 16

Plant Structures/Systems

  • 1

    Explain the process of translocation 1

  • 2

    Identify and describe the function of plant cell 2

  • 3

    Identify the parts of monocot and dicot seeds and list their functions 3

  • 4

    Distinguish between GMO and PLS plants and seeds 4

  • 5

    Describe methods of plant classification/nomenclature and the action of variation in natural selection  5

  • 6

    Define how evapo-transpirations relates to plant growth6

  • 7

    Define photoperiodism  7

  • 8

    Explain the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration as a cyclical growth representation8

  • 11

    Illustrate the sink/source of the complete carbon cycle 11

  • 12

    Illustrate the sink/source of the complete oxygen cycle  12

  • 13

    Discuss the means and effects of pollination 13

  • 14

    Relate the growing degree day concept to crop development 14

  • 15

    Understand how temperature is important in plant development and growth (cardinal temperatures) 15

Weed, Disease, and Pest Control 

  • 1

    Identify weed, disease, and pest damage1

  • 2

    Show disease material handling techniques2

  • 3

    Identify safe procedures when handling pesticides 3

  • 4

    Calculate pesticide application rates 4

  • 5

    Identify the components of a pesticide label5

  • 6

    Demonstrate how to mix pesticides6

  • 7

    Describe the general principles of IPM 7

  • 8

    Distinguish between resistance and tolerance8

  • 9

    Recognize the differences in pesticide formulation from climatic conditions, using additives for drift or volatilization9

  • 10

    Identify weeds from broadleaf and grass seedlings10

  • 11

    Relate how weed life cycles differ from crop life cycles11

  • 12

    Recognize the role of natural selection in disease, weed, and pest control in a cropping practice 12

  • 13

    Determine the best control measure for a given pest 13

  • 14

    Relate how insect behavior is linked with a cropping practice14

  • 15

    Generate a list of beneficial insects and plants that counteract harmful weeds, diseases, and pests15

  • 16

    Describe strategies needed for disease management16

  • 17

    Explain the use of pesticides as a pest management strategy17

  • 18

    Explain how stewardship, pesticide safety, and government regulation impact common cropping decisions18

  • 19

    Understand how factors of pressure, speed, nozzle type, and spacing affect pesticide treatment success19

  • 20

    Describe the effects of herbicide: adjuvants, contact, systemic  20

Fertilizer Applications

  • 1

    List characteristics of solid, gas, and liquid fertilizers 1

  • 2

    Understand the effects of starter fertilizer on crop growth and yield 2

  • 3

    Distinguish how fertilizer placement and time of application affect nutrient availability3

Crop Evaluation 

  • 1

    Properly classify common crops and weeds1

  • 2

    Describe standards used in USDA grain grading  2

  • 3

    Identify principles of irrigated water vs. dry land in crop growth, seed formation, and quality  3

Biotechnology Issues 

  • 1

    Access and review material from biotechnology firms; i.e. Monsanto, Pioneer, etc. 1

  • 2

    Discuss the most recent advances; i.e. Bt Corn, Round-Up Ready crops 2

  • 3

    Discuss moral issues in biotechnology and gene tampering3

  • 4

    Discuss the role of biotechnology to improve plant genetics and production 4

Crop Storage 

  • 1

    Describe how temperature, aeration, pests, crop condition at harvest, length of storage, and additives influence crop quality 1

  • 2

    Discuss the difference between retained ownership and storage under warehouse receipt 2

  • 3

    Calculate volume of bins and storage areas 3

  • 4

    Calculate relative humidity, dew point, wet/dry bulb temperature, and saturation point 4

  • 5

    Calculate moisture content, drying efficiency, and gas consumption for drying high moisture corn 5

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12

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Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

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