Understand how physiology of forage species can be described using: Photosynthesis (Ps) - Dark Respiration (Rd) = Growth + Stored Reserves

Know the contribution Ps makes to forage dry wt. and yield

Be able to describe Ps using a simple chemical equation

Understand where in plants Ps and Rd occur

Know at least four soil nutrients required for Ps

Be able to compare and contrast C₃ and C₄ Ps, including impact on adaptation of forages

Understand the impact of environment (temperature, radiation, water stress, carbon dioxide, mineral nutrition) on Ps of C₃ and C₄ plants

Understand how canopy structure differs between forage grasses and forage legumes, and how this impact light interception and canopy Ps

Know what is meant by Krantz anatomy and its impact on forage quality

Understand what is meant by growth and maintenance Rd

Understand the impact Rd has on the daily net carbon gain via Ps

Be able to describe Rd using a balanced chemical equation

Understand the terms "source" and "sink" in regards to carbohydrate translocation

Understand the requirements for cell division and enlargement in plants

Be able to identify and locate the meristems involved in growth of forage grasses and legumes

Be able to describe the functions of the meristems involved in growth of forage grasses and legumes

Understand the role of stored reserves in stress tolerance of forages

Know the compounds stored and the principle storage organs of forage legumes and grasses

Understand how stored organic reserve patterns are used to properly manage forages.

Know the mineral nutrients required by forage plants and at least one function for each.

Know the six external and four internal factors that affect nutrient absorption by forage plants

Understand the properties of soil that are important determinants of soil fertility such as pH, cation exchange capacity,......

Understand the processes by which nutrients contact the root surface

Understand the function and role of specific carriers in taking nutrients into root cells

Understand the symbiotic relationship required for N₂ fixation to occur

Know the host-symbiont specificity required for nodule formation in true clovers, birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, sweetclover

Understand the infection process required for nodule formation

Know the chemical reaction required for reduction of nitrogen to plant-usable forms.

Understand the energy (amounts, sources) required to fix dinitrogen

Know which legume species fix high amounts of N and why

Understand how management (i.e., inoculation, soil pH, fertility, harvesting,...) can alter N₂ fixation rates

Be aware of the amounts of N transferred from forage legumes to companion grasses, and the mechanism(s) by which this is achieved.

Understand the distinction between cold tolerance and winter hardiness

Understand the forms of ice that form in plant tissues and the impact on survival

Distinguish between climate and weather

Understand the how quality, density, and duration of solar radiation growth and flowering of forages

Know the array of stress plants endure during winter

Understand how forage plants harden for winter

Know the environmental cues that lead to winter hardening

Understand how management can alter winter survival

Understand how to manage a winter-injured forage stand in order to improve its performance

Understand temperature stresses (high, chilling, freezing) on forage growth and persistence

Understand the process of vernalization

Be aware of the forms of photoperiodism that lead to flowering in forages

Understand drought and flooding stresses and their impact on forage growth and persistence