RHS Level 2 R2113 Vegetable Crop Production

Question 1

What are the benefits of crop rotations?

Answer 1

Good soil structure can be maintained.
Good management of soil fertility. Avoids over depletion of nutrients.
Avoids pest and disease build up.
Reduces weed problems. Some crops suppress weeds.

Question 2

What are the limitations of crop rotations?

Answer 2

Only effective against soil bourne p&d.
Most pests are unaffected as they are mobile.
Not very effective in small areas.
Requires commitment and record keeping.
Can restrict choice.

Question 3

What are the 9 main plant families for vegetables?

Answer 3

Beetroot family (also includes chard and spinach)
Squash 
Carrot
Cabbage
Pea & bean
Lettuce
Onion
Potato
Sweetcorn

Question 4

Describe a four bed rotation.

Answer 4

1. Potato family
2. Pea & bean family and lettuce family
3. Cabbage, squash and sweetcorn.
4. Carrot, beetroot and onion

In year two move the 1.potato family to where the previous year 4. carrot/beetroot/onion bed was and shift each bed backwards in the sequence so 2.legumes go where the potatoes were previously, the 3.cabbage/squash/sweetcorn goes where the 2. Legumes were and the 4. carrot/beetroot onion goes where the 3. cabbage/squash/sweetcorn bed was. You then move everything to the next sequence in the 3rd year and then on again in the 4th year and then it begins again in the 5th year where everything is in the original position they started in.

Question 5

Explain the successional cropping for a named crop.

Answer 5

Potatoes.
Buy seed potatoes and start them chitting in early February/at least 6weeks before planting.
First early potatoes, e.g. lady christl will be planted mid/late march.
Second early e.g. Charlotte will be planted early to mid April.
Main crops e.g. king Edward planted mid to late April.
Warm up soil before planting earlies by covering soil with black plastic ,2 wks before to enable early establishment.
Cover plants to protect them with fleece/cloches for protection from frost up to end of May.
Harvest first earlies in June
Second earlies in June/July
Maincrop from late July through to September.
Good storage of maincrop in cool, dry dark place.

Question 6

Explain how intercropping can be used to maximise production.

Answer 6

Growing a smaller, rapid growing crop in-between a larger slower crop to maximise production of a space.
E.g. radishes can be sown in-between Brussel sprouts.

Question 7

Describe the effect of plant spacing on a named crop.

Answer 7

Carrots.
Need to consider yield, quality, usable parts, maturity, room to weed.
Spacing for optimum yield is 15cm rows, 4cm between carrots.
However a spacing of 30cm rows, 3cm between carrots, gives a lower yield but higher proportion of useable roots, plus easier access for weeding and better air movement.
By reducing the spacing you could also achieve baby carrots and better uniformity.

Question 8

Describe what is meant by cut and come again vegetables.

Answer 8

Vegetables can be repeatedly harvested from one sowing.
Usually plants are cut when small e.g. lettuce and left to regrow before cutting again.
Spinach is another example.