exam run through

Question 1

which mycorrhizal types associate with trees, grasses and heathers in north temperate systems?

Answer 1

Ectomycorrhizas
Arbscular endomycorrhizas
Ericoid mycorrhizas

Question 2

experiment to test phosphorous movement in mycelial networks

Answer 2

uptake of P-32 labelled with/without ectomycorrhizas

Question 3

productivity of rice per hectare

Answer 3

10 tons/ha

Question 4

three traits important to conventional rice breeding

Answer 4

disease resistance
drought resistance
heat tolerance … many more

Question 5

why conventional breeding will not lead to C4 rice production

Answer 5

rice does not seem to have any of the genes for C4

Question 6

the outer surface of leaves give protection against…

Answer 6

excessive water loss 
regulates gas exchange 
attack by insects 
pathogen attack 
UV radiation 
osmotic effects 
secretes metabolites 
absorbs nutrients & water

Question 7

the three major plat nutrients included in inorganic fertilisers

Answer 7

N, P, K

Question 8

how is nitrate obtained for inorganic fertiliser?

Answer 8

Haber-Bosch process OR natural gas

Question 9

how is phosphorous obtained for inorganic fertiliser?

Answer 9

phosphate (rock) mining + acid treatment

Question 10

how is potassium obtained for inorganic fertiliser?

Answer 10

mined potash, K salts extracted

Question 11

what does nitrogen in fertiliser do for plants?

Answer 11

green leafy growth

Question 12

what does phosphorous in fertiliser do for plants?

Answer 12

early root & shoot growth

Question 13

what does potassium in fertiliser do for plants?

Answer 13

flowering, fruiting, transport and hardiness/vigour

Question 14

what is the typical ratio for combined fertilisers (K, N, P)?

Answer 14

12:12:12

Question 15

what is linkage mapping?

Answer 15

shows the linear order, spacing and relative recombination frequencies of a series of molecular markers

Question 16

what does dormancy allow?

Answer 16

plant to wait for more favourable conditions
allows dispersal
avoids transient predators/pathogens

Question 17

major groups of pests endangering plants

Answer 17

invertebrates e.g. insects

vertebrates e.g. deer

Question 18

indirect effect of pests on plants

Answer 18

loss of photosynthetic capacity
divert resources to plant defences
create lesions for pathogens to enter by

Question 19

three types of plant defence

Answer 19

physical/mechanical/morphological
chemical
biological e.g. macaranga trees protected by ants

Question 20

auxin

Answer 20

promotes & coordinates growth

prevents branching

Question 21

abscisic acid

Answer 21

promotes seed dormancy
inhibits growth of shoots
causes stomatal closure

Question 22

cytokinins

Answer 22

promotes cell division
inhibit leaf aging
remove apical dominance

Question 23

gibberellins

Answer 23

stimulates flowering

promotes seed germinate (in suitable conditions)

Question 24

ethylene

Answer 24

promotes ripening of fruits

Question 25

causes of desertification

Answer 25

over-grazing
deforestation 
fire 
salinization 
climate change

Question 26

Australia and salinization

Answer 26

1. water table was very low
2. irrigation raised water table
3. water brought salt to surface