Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

What is the term given to harvested peanut pods that are empty?

1. Duds

2. Blanks

3. Pops

4. Shells

The correct answer is: Pops

The term used to describe harvested peanut pods that are empty is "Duds." When peanuts are harvested, some pods may not contain viable seeds, which can happen due to several reasons such as environmental stress or disease. These empty pods are referred to as duds in the agricultural industry. Understanding the terminology surrounding peanut harvesting is crucial for evaluating crop quality and yield, making this term economically relevant for farmers and agronomists alike. Other terms mentioned, such as blanks, pops, and shells, do not accurately reflect the specific issue of empty peanut pods. Blanks might refer generally to empty spaces or missing items in various contexts, while pops typically do not relate to the anatomy or yield of peanut plants. Shells refer to the outer protective covering of the peanut itself, not the condition of the harvested pod. Thus, "Duds" is the appropriate and widely recognized term for this phenomenon in peanut harvesting.