Plant Science Merit Badge (Boy Scouts)

• 1: Make a drawing and identify five or more parts of a flowering plant. Tell what each part does. Resources: Flower Dissection - Reproduction in Flowering Plants (video) Flower Structures and Functions (video)
• 2: Explain photosynthesis and tell why this process is important. Tell at least five ways that humans depend on plants. Resources: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration: (video) Photosynthesis Light Reactions and the Calvin Cycle (video) Photosynthesis (website)
• 3: Explain how honeybees and other pollinating insects are important to plant life. Resources: Animal Pollinators Other Than Bees (video) How do Bees Make Our Food? (video) Honeybees and Agriculture (video)
• 4: Explain how water, light, air, temperature, and pests affect plants. Describe the nature and function of soil and explain its importance. Tell about the texture, structure, and composition of fertile soil. Tell how soil may be improved. Resources: Learn the Various Factors That Affect Roots (video) How Plants Grow (video) Soil and Soil Dynamics (video) Types of Soil (video)
• 5: Tell how to propagate plants by seeds, roots, cuttings, tubers, and grafting. Grow a plant by ONE of these methods. Resources: How to Propagate Plants (video) How to Propagate Any Plant | Multiply Your Plants for Free! (video)
• 6: List by common name at least 10 native plants and 10 cultivated plants that grow near your home. List five invasive non-native plants in your area and tell how they may be harmful. Tell how the spread of invasive plants may be avoided or controlled in ways that are not damaging to humans, wildlife, and the environment. Resources: Getting Rid of Invasive Plants From Your Yard. Don't Plant These! (video) How To Identify and Remove Invasive Plants (video) How To Select Native Plants For Your Landscape: Determining Your Site Conditions (video)
• 7: Do ONE of the following:
  1. Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career. Resources: A Day in the LIFE of an AGRONOMIST (video) 10 Botany Jobs: Environmental Conservation Botany Jobs and Environmental Internships (video) What's the Difference Between Horticulture and Agronomy (video)
  2. Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby or healthy lifestyle. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this. Resources: Fairy Gardens (video) Bonzai Tree Hobby (video) Common Reasons for Keeping Honey Bees (video)
• 8: Choose ONE of the following options and complete each requirement:
  Option A—Agronomy. Do ALL of the following:
  1. Describe how to prepare a seedbed.
  2. Make and use a seed germination tester to test 50 seeds of four approved plants. Determine the percentage of live seeds.
  3. Explain important insect pests and diseases that damage crops. Collect and name five weeds that compete with crops in your locality and explain safe weed control methods.
  4. On a map of the United States, identify chief growing regions for major crops and explain how climate and location affect production.
  5. Complete ALL requirements in ONE selected alternative:
     • Corn
     • Cotton
     • Forage Crops
     • Small Grains
     • Oil Crops
  Option B —Horticulture. Do ALL of the following:
  1. Visit a horticulture-related facility and explain what you learned.
  2. Explain horticulture terms and identify landscape plants suitable for your hardiness zone.
  3. Complete ONE horticulture activity such as propagation, transplanting, pruning, or planting a tree/shrub.
  4. Explain landscape design principles and plant selection considerations.
  5. Complete ALL requirements in ONE selected alternative:
     • Bedding Plants
     • Fruit, Berry, and Nut Crops
     • Woody Ornamentals
     • Home Gardening
  Option C— Field Botany. Do ALL of the following:
  1. Visit a natural area and observe plant species, environmental conditions, and plant distribution.
  2. Select a study site and identify native and non-native woody and non-woody plants.
  3. Explain how plant identification keys work and identify different plant species.
  4. Collect, identify, press, mount, and label plants common to your area.
  5. Research rare plants in your state and explain conservation efforts.
  6. Complete ALL requirements in ONE selected alternative:
     • Tree Inventory
     • Transect Study
     • Nested Plot
     • Herbarium Visit
     • Plant Conservation Organization Visit