Including Examiners Comments
R2103
MAINTAINING PLANT HEALTH
Level 2
Monday 20 June 2016
13:30 – 14:20
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)
ALL questions should be attempted;
iii)
EACH question carries 10 marks;
iv)
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)
Use black or blue ink only. Pencil can be used for drawing purposes
only;
vii)
Where plant names are required, they should include genus, species
and where appropriate, cultivar;
viii)
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/505/2835
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ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
MARKS
Q1 a) Describe the techniques which can be used to maintain the balance of plant pest
populations.
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b) State THREE methods of controlling slugs by completing the table below.
Control
Methods
Physical
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Biological
1
Chemical
1
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c) Name THREE distinct pests that feed on plants by biting.
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Total Mark
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MARKS
Q2 a) Describe TWO symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on a NAMED plant by
completing the table below.
Named
plant
1
Leaf
symptom
2
Fruit
symptom
2
b) Describe TWO methods of controlling the spread of Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
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c) Name ONE virus other than Tobacco Mosaic virus that can affect crops.
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MARKS
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Q3 a) Define the term ‘ephemeral weed’, giving TWO NAMED plant examples.
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b) Describe TWO distinct methods used to control the development of ephemeral
weeds from recently cultivated soil.
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c) Name TWO distinct perennial weeds which could remain in recently cultivated soil.
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Total Mark
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MARKS
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Q4 a) Describe the life-cycle of the vine weevil with the use of a labelled diagram.
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b) Describe ONE control measure for vine weevil, using EITHER biological OR
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chemical methods.
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Q5 a) List THREE symptoms found in plants grown in too much shade.
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b) Name ONE shade tolerant plant.
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c) State TWO plant disorders (other than shade) giving ONE symptom and ONE
avoidance method for EACH.
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Disorder 1
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Disorder 2
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Total Mark
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MARKS
Q6
By completing the table below:
i)
ii)
identify ONE distinct prey for EACH of the named predators;
state how EACH of the predators can be encouraged in a garden.
Predator
Prey
Requirements to encourage
Hoverfly
2
Hedgehog
2
Bird
2
Frog
2
Ladybird
2
Total Mark
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©These questions are the property of the Royal Horticultural Society.
They must not be reproduced or sold.
The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
Charity Registration Number: 222879/SC038262
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R2103
MAINTAINING PLANT HEALTH
Level 2
Monday 20 June 2016
Candidates Registered
Candidates Entered
Candidates Absent/Withdrawn
Candidates Deferred
604
509
89
6
Total Candidates Passed
Passed with Commendation
Passed
Failed
84.27%
14.74%
0.99%
405
173
232
104
79.57%
33.99%
45.58%
20.43%
Senior Examiner’s Comments:
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
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4
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.
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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.
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MARKS
Q1 a) Describe the techniques which can be used to maintain the balance of plant pest
4
populations.
b) State THREE methods of controlling slugs by completing the table below.
Control
Methods
Physical
1
Biological
1
Chemical
1
c) Name THREE distinct pests that feed on plants by biting.
Q1a) Full marks were awarded to candidates who described suitable techniques to
maintain the balance of plant pest populations. Acceptable answers included:

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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
Q1b) 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.
Q1c)
Candidates who named rabbit, vine weevil, cabbage white butterfly caterpillar,
raspberry beetle and mice as pests that feed by biting gained full marks.
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3
MARKS
Q2 a) Describe TWO symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on a NAMED plant by
completing the table below.
Named
plant
1
Leaf
symptom
2
Fruit
symptom
2
b) Describe TWO methods of controlling the spread of Tobacco Mosaic Virus.
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c) Name ONE virus other than Tobacco Mosaic virus that can affect crops.
1
Q2a)
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.
Q2b) 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’.
Q2c)
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.
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Q3 a) Define the term ‘ephemeral weed’, giving TWO NAMED plant examples.
MARKS
4
b) Describe TWO distinct methods used to control the development of ephemeral
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weeds from recently cultivated soil.
c) Name TWO distinct perennial weeds which could remain in recently cultivated soil.
Q3a)
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.
Q3b) 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.
Q3c)
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.
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2
Q4 a) Describe the life-cycle of the vine weevil with the use of a labelled diagram.
MARKS
6
b) Describe ONE control measure for vine weevil, using EITHER biological OR
chemical methods.
Q4a)
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 15-20cm, 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.
Q4b) 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.
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4
Q5 a) List THREE symptoms found in plants grown in too much shade.
MARKS
3
b) Name ONE shade tolerant plant.
1
c) State TWO plant disorders (other than shade) giving ONE symptom and ONE
avoidance method for EACH.
3
Disorder 1
3
Disorder 2
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.
Q5b) 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.
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MARKS
Q6
By completing the table below:
i)
ii)
identify ONE distinct prey for EACH of the named predators;
state how EACH of the predators can be encouraged in a garden.
Predator
Prey
Requirements to encourage
Hoverfly
2
Hedgehog
2
Bird
2
Frog
2
Ladybird
Q6)
2
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.
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