June 2019 exam paper

Question 1

Describe the preparation and storage of Phaseolus vulgaris seed under the heading: Harvesting

Answer 1

harvest seeds from plants that are true to type, pest and disease free, and undamaged

harvest pods that are ripe-indicated by pods turning brown on plant. (Occurs late summer/early autumn)

The pods should contain fully formed seeds

Harvest seeds in dry weather

If pods are harvested in wet weather, hang up in bunches in a dry location until they become brittle (in greenhouse/building)

Question 2

Describe the preparation and storage of Phaseolus vulgaris seed under the heading: Separation and Cleaning

Answer 2

This seed is dry and orthodox so does not need washing or soaking in water

carefully separate seeds from pods, keeping only those that are fully ripe and undamaged.

Grade the seeds, rejecting those that are too small

Avoid damage when separating seeds from pod

dry any damp seeds on paper for 7-10 days

check for any disease lesions on seed coat

Question 3

Describe the preparation and storage of Phaseolus vulgaris seed under the heading: Storage and packing

Answer 3

store seeds in a frost free, cool, dry condition

store seeds in a dry envelope or paper bag

when seeds fully dry, you can store them in a plastic box with silica gel

long term storage can take place in a fridge, in sealed containers

Question 4

what are 4 horticultural situations in which seed can be used?

Answer 4

vegetable production
lawn establishment
hardy annual borders
seasonal bedding production
production of herbs
production of glasshouse food/salad crops

production of trees, shrubs, alpines and herbaceous perennials

wildflower meadows
green manure crops

Question 5

describe three methods of avoiding diseases when sowing seed

Answer 5

use clean mains water, rather that water stored from a water butt

use sterile containers that are new or have been washed and free from debris

use fresh, sterile growing media

sow seeds at a suitable density which is not too thick

use a weed free seed bed to avoid alternative hosts for pathogens

avoid wet, waterlogged soil

use disease free quality seed purchased from a reputable store

Question 6

describe the propagation of Lactuca sativa in a glasshouse under the heading: selection of container and growing media

Answer 6

use a clean or new, undamaged full or half seed tray, or half pot using John Innes (JI) seed compost or any suitable loam-less, multi-purpose, or seed sowing growing media

Question 7

describe the propagation of Lactuca sativa in a glasshouse under the heading: preparation of container with growing media for sowing

Answer 7

overfill the container with growing media, tap down, saw/strike off the growing media level using a striker board and firm using a firming board

Question 8

describe the propagation of Lactuca sativa in a glasshouse under the heading: sowing method

Answer 8

sow seeds broadcast- either by having the seeds in the palm of your hand and tapping OR by inching or by tapping them from the seed packet.

sow at correct density eg: 2-3mm apart.

cover seeds to a uniform depth of 3-5mm until they’ve just disappeared from sight using sieved growing media or vermiculite.

You can water the seed tray prior to sowing

Question 9

describe the propagation of Lactuca sativa in a glasshouse under the heading: immediate aftercare

Answer 9

either water with a watering can with a fine rose, or soak trays from below.

Place seeds trays in a warm environment at a temp of 12-15’c

cover trays with a sheet of glass until germination takes place to keep the seeds moist

Question 10

what is meant by the term clone?

Answer 10

it is an individual or group of plants derived from a vegetative source which makes them genetically identical.

Question 11

state 4 horticultural benefits of raising plants by vegetative means

Answer 11

genetically identical plant material can be produced so there is a uniform performance between progeny

complex seed dormancy problems can be avoided

it is the only method to propagate some plants which are sterile

size of the plant can be controlled by the use of budding and grafting

there is a shorter time frame for plants to reach maturity as larger pieces of plant material are used at the time of propagation eg: cutting, grafting, layering

no need for pollination to produce new plants

Question 12

state 4 horticultural limitations of raising plants by vegetative means

Answer 12

limited availability of plant material

plants susceptible to pest/disease due to lack of genetic variation

high level of skill for some methods of vegetative propagation eg: grafting

specialist propagation environments are needed for some methods eg: mist unit

a large amount of space is required for some methods eg: layering

all propagation material needs to be juvenile and non-flowering

Question 13

describe the propagation of a named plant by simple layering under the following headings: name of plant

Answer 13

Cornus alba

Question 14

describe the propagation of a named plant by simple layering under the following headings: time of year (for Cornus alba)

Answer 14

Autumn, it is the dormant season. Spring for some subjects

Question 15

describe the propagation of a named plant by simple layering under the following headings: selection of material (for Cornus alba)

Answer 15

true to type
pest and disease free

young, pliable but woody and of the current or immediate previous seasons’ growth-which is vegetative and non-flowering

Question 16

describe the propagation of a named plant by simple layering under the following headings: propagation method (for Cornus alba)

Answer 16

1) soil around mother/stock plant must be well prepared and weed free, friable and ameliorated with om.

shallow trench 10cm deep should be dug 40-60com from the plant, (depending on length of stem)

or, the stem can be bent into a container and filled with suitable growing media.

2) Stem can be wounded
3) bend selected stem down into a trench and peg in place

Question 17

describe propagation method for Cornus alba if you use the wounded method

Answer 17

to wound stem, either:

remove a section of bark from the stem and dust with a hormone rooting powder OR twist a wire tightly around the stem to concentrate the auxin at that point to encourage rooting.

Question 18

describe the propagation method for Cornus alba if you bend the stem down and put in a trench

Answer 18

the selected stem is bent down into the trench creating an acute bencd to hold the layer in place.

A peg or wire is used to hold the stem in place and supported in a vertical position by tying it to a bamboo cane.

soil is backfilled into the trench where the layer is pegged down, firmed and watered

Question 19

name some types of commercial propagation facilities used to grow plants

Answer 19

closed case or dew point cabinet with bottom heat

polythene tent with bottom heat

mist propagation unit

fogging unit

north wall cold frame

low polythene tunnel outdoors

a heated or unheated greenhouse

growing room for tissue culture

Question 20

describe how to manage the environment of a closed case and polythene tent facility to encourage the rooting process

Answer 20

make sure facilities are clean

ensure appropriate moisture levels are maintained by the use of mist nozzles,

excessive moisture is removed by ventilation

bottom heat controlled by thermostat

shading used to reduce light levels and therefore temperature

Question 21

describe how to manage the environment of a mist and fogging unit to encourage the rooting process

Answer 21

make sure facilities and sensors clean

bottom heat controlled by thermostat

check settings and control of the mist/fogging nozzles

Question 22

describe how to manage the environment of a cold frame and outdoor polythene tunnel to encourage the rooting process

Answer 22

make sure facilities are clean and growing media is weed free.

ameliorate soil with grit or suitable growing media to improve drainage and aeration

Question 23

state the aftercare of vegetatively propagated plants after removal from the propagation facility

Answer 23

wean plants from propagated environment

remove dead/diseased material

foliar feed if required

harden off plants

potting off plants if required

use of crop protection measures if required

watering (close attention required)