Including Examiners Comments R0 MAINTAINING PLANT HEALTH Level Monday 0 June 06 :0 :0 Written Examination Candidate Number: Candidate Name: Centre Number/Name:.. IMPORTANT Please read carefully before commencing: i) The duration of this paper is 50 minutes; ii) iii) iv) ALL questions should be attempted; EACH question carries 0 marks; Write your answers legibly in the lined space provided. It is NOT necessary that all lined space is used in answering the questions; v) Use METRIC measurements only; vi) vii) viii) Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes only; Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species and where appropriate, cultivar; Where a question requires a specific number of answers; only the first answers given that meet the question requirement will be accepted, regardless of the number of answers offered; ix) Please note, when the word distinct is used within a question, it means that the items have different characteristics or features. Ofqual Unit Code: Y/505/85 Please turn over/..
Q a) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS Describe the techniques which can be used to maintain the balance of plant pest populations... State THREE methods of controlling slugs by completing the table below. Control Methods Physical Biological Chemical c) Name THREE distinct pests that feed on plants by biting. Total Mark Please see over/..
Q a) Describe TWO symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on a NAMED plant by completing the table below. Named plant Leaf symptom Fruit symptom Describe TWO methods of controlling the spread of Tobacco Mosaic Virus. c) Name ONE virus other than Tobacco Mosaic virus that can affect crops. Total Mark Please turn over/..
Q a) c) Define the term ephemeral weed, giving TWO NAMED plant examples. Describe TWO distinct methods used to control the development of ephemeral weeds from recently cultivated soil. Name TWO distinct perennial weeds which could remain in recently cultivated soil. Total Mark Please see over/..
Q a) Describe the life-cycle of the vine weevil with the use of a labelled diagram. 6 Describe ONE control measure for vine weevil, using EITHER biological OR chemical methods..... Total Mark Please turn over/.. 5
Q5 a) c) List THREE symptoms found in plants grown in too much shade.. Name ONE shade tolerant plant. State TWO plant disorders (other than shade) giving ONE symptom and ONE avoidance method for EACH. Disorder Disorder Please see over/.. 6 Total Mark
Q6 By completing the table below: i) identify ONE distinct prey for EACH of the named predators; ii) state how EACH of the predators can be encouraged in a garden. Predator Prey Requirements to encourage Hoverfly Hedgehog Bird Frog Ladybird Total Mark ******* 7
These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society. They must not be reproduced or sold. The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU 6QB. Charity Registration Number: 879/SC086 8
R0 MAINTAINING PLANT HEALTH Level Monday 0 June 06 Candidates Registered 60 Total Candidates Passed 05 79.57% Candidates Entered 509 8.7% Passed with Commendation 7.99% Candidates Absent/Withdrawn 89.7% Passed 5.58% Candidates Deferred 6 0.99% Failed 0 0.% Senior Examiner s Comments: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a good range of plant knowledge and be able to give accurately named plant examples where appropriate. Common names and generic names are often too vague and cannot be rewarded in the positive manner that genus, species and where appropriate, variety/cultivar can. This is particularly important when answering questions relating to particular (named) plant(s). Marks can only be awarded for these narratives where the example(s) are correctly and fully identified. Candidates must be able to display accurate knowledge of the technical terms and concepts detailed in the syllabus, in the context of horticulture and also be aware that wider interpretation will not be rewarded. The examination should be regarded as a possible introduction to higher level studies, which will only be open to those who are in possession of a clear understanding of the horticultural terms and concepts which are current. The introductory rubric given on the first page of each question paper should be read carefully by candidates. At each examination there are a significant number of candidates who ignore or misread the instructions given and consequently may not perform as well as they could have done. 9
Candidates should pace themselves during each paper. The most successful candidates allow sufficient time to read the question thoroughly before answering it and also take time to read through their answers. They should take care to write as legibly as possible, so that the examiner is in no doubt about what is intended. 5 Candidates need to interpret key words within questions, particularly those such as state, list and describe. Questions requiring descriptions or explanations obviously require a more detailed answer than those requiring a list. 6 It is important to ensure that responses to questions are to the point. Candidates should bear in mind that small sketches might be used to convey information more succinctly than words. 7 Successful candidates ensure that their answers are focused and to the point. It is disappointing when they cannot be rewarded for their efforts because the answer is irrelevant to the particular question. Candidates should take note of the mark allocation for specific sections and allocate their time and efforts accordingly. 8 Diagrams can enhance an answer and where appropriate can replace detailed descriptions. They should be large, clear and well annotated, ensuring that labels are properly attached to the features they describe. Diagrams should preferably be in pencil. Colour may be used successfully but only where it is relevant to the answer. 9 In each examination it is clear that some candidates are ill prepared to answer papers of the type set. It is essential that candidates have the opportunity to practice questions. Ideally some papers should be answered in a time constrained situation. Appropriate feedback must, in any case be provided. 0
Q a) Describe the techniques which can be used to maintain the balance of plant pest populations. State THREE methods of controlling slugs by completing the table below. Control Methods c) Physical Biological Chemical Name THREE distinct pests that feed on plants by biting. Qa) Full marks were awarded to candidates who described suitable techniques to maintain the balance of plant pest populations. Acceptable answers included: The use of crop rotations Increase the diversity of insects by growing a range of plants Leaving wild areas for habitat Use of biological controls, e.g. the use of the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa to control glasshouse whitefly Q A range of suitable methods were provided by the best candidates to control slugs, and were awarded full marks. These included: Physical barriers of copper tape can be placed around plant containers, slugs can be removed by hand and destroyed or beer traps can be used. Biological the nematode/eelworm Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita can be watered into the soil or hedgehogs can be encouraged. Chemical use of slug pellets containing ferric phosphate. Qc) Candidates who named rabbit, vine weevil, cabbage white butterfly caterpillar, raspberry beetle and mice as pests that feed by biting gained full marks.
Q a) Describe TWO symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on a NAMED plant by completing the table below. Named plant Leaf symptom Fruit symptom c) Describe TWO methods of controlling the spread of Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Name ONE virus other than Tobacco Mosaic virus that can affect crops. Qa) Most candidates correctly named tomato or pepper as plants that are affected by Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Other examples could include; Petunia and Antirrhinum. Suitable symptoms described included: Leaf symptom Yellow mottling on the leaves, leaves take on a fern like appearance, leaves stunted and stunted growth. Fruit symptom Fruits fail to set, reduced yield and bronzing of the fruit. Q Candidates who described suitable methods of controlling the spread of Tomato Mosaic Virus gained full marks. Suitable methods included: ensuring that all tools are cleaned in boiling or hot soapy water after each use; remove and destroy any infected plants and grow resistant cultivars, e.g. Cherry Wonder and Cumulus. Qc) The majority of candidates correctly named Potato Leaf Curl Virus, and gained full marks. Other suitable examples provided included: Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Tomato Mosaic Virus and Melon Necrotic Spot Virus.
Q a) c) Define the term ephemeral weed, giving TWO NAMED plant examples. Describe TWO distinct methods used to control the development of ephemeral weeds from recently cultivated soil. Name TWO distinct perennial weeds which could remain in recently cultivated soil. Qa) Most candidates were able to define the term ephemeral weed, stating that it is a weed that can produce many generations in one growing season, and were awarded full marks. Suitable named examples included: Cardamine hirsuta, Senecio vulgaris and Capsella bursa-pastoris. Q To gain full marks candidates were required to describe suitable methods to control ephemeral weeds. These included: Hoeing ephemeral weeds with a sharp hoe when they are young just below the surface and leaving them to die on a sunny day. Stale seedbed where the weeds are allowed to grow following cultivation and then either hoed off, hand weeded or sprayed with a herbicide before crop sowing or planting. Herbicide with the use of diquat which is a contact herbicide. The use of a mulch was also an acceptable answer. Qc) Candidates named a range of acceptable perennial weeds that could remain in recently cultivated soil. These included: Taraxacum officinale, Elymus repens, Calystegia sepium and Aegopodium podagraria.
Q a) Describe the life-cycle of the vine weevil with the use of a labelled diagram. Describe ONE control measure for vine weevil, using EITHER biological OR chemical methods. 6 Qa) Candidates who described the life cycle of the vine weevil and included a labelled diagram of the different stages were awarded full marks. Suitable descriptions included: adults lay brown eggs around the base of the plant in the soil in summer. The eggs hatch into larvae which are white, legless and have a brown head and feed on roots, tubers and stem bases. If found outside, the larvae overwinter as larvae and pupate in the soil at a depth of 5-0cm, before hatching into adults if outside in April. The adult vine weevils are all female, black/grey/brown in colour, nocturnal and feed on the foliage. Q The best candidates were able to describe suitable control methods for vine weevil. Acceptable methods included: Biological the use of nematodes, e.g. Steinernema kraussei or Heterorhabditis which are watered onto the soil in August/Sepember. Chemical the use of pesticides, e.g. acetamiprid or thiacloprid which are applied as a liquid drench during mid to late summer.
Q5 a) c) List THREE symptoms found in plants grown in too much shade. Name ONE shade tolerant plant. State TWO plant disorders (other than shade) giving ONE symptom and ONE avoidance method for EACH. Disorder Disorder Q5a) The majority of candidates were able to list a range of symptoms found in plants that are grown in too much shade, and were awarded full marks. Suitable answers included: etiolation, yellowing of leaves, poor flowering, lack of vigour and plants leaning towards the light. Q5 Most candidates named a suitable shade tolerant plant and gained full marks. Examples included: Hedera helix, Alchemilla mollis, Hosta sieboldii and Viburnum davidii. Q5c) The best candidates named suitable plant disorders, their symptoms and avoidance methods, and gained full marks. Acceptable answers included: Frost damage symptoms include brown edges to the leaves and collapse of the plant. This can be avoided by covering tender plants with horticultural fleece. Waterlogging symptoms include wilting of the plant and rotting of the roots. This can be avoided by installing a drainage system. Candidates who gave details of wind damage, named nutrient deficiencies, rose balling and fasciation, also gained full marks. 5
Q6 By completing the table below: i) identify ONE distinct prey for EACH of the named predators; ii) state how EACH of the predators can be encouraged in a garden. Predator Prey Requirements to encourage Hoverfly Hedgehog Bird Frog Ladybird Q6) Candidates who identified a specific prey and how they are encouraged for each of the predators were awarded full marks. The best answers included: Hoverfly predates on peach potato aphid. It is encouraged by providing opencentred flowers to provide pollen or enabling adult aphids to overwinter by providing hollow canes tied in bundles. Hedgehog predates on slugs, snails and beetles. It is encouraged by providing a habitat box or leaves under hedgerows or providing some dense undergrowth. Bird - predates on caterpillars, insects and snails. They are encouraged by planting trees and shrubs to provide habitats or providing a range of plants including those with fruits. Frog - predates on moths, mosquitos, slugs and snails etc. They are encouraged by the provision of a pond with a sloping side for access or a wetland area. Ladybird predates on black bean aphids. They are encouraged by providing opencentred flowers to provide pollen or leaf litter for the adults to overwinter. ******* 6