Including Examiners Comments
R2113
UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCTION OF OUTDOOR
VEGETABLES & FRUIT
Level 2
Tuesday 24 June 2014
13:30 – 14:10
Written Examination
Candidate Number: …………………………………………………………………
Candidate Name: ……………………………………………………………………
Centre Number/Name: ……………………………………………………………..
IMPORTANT – Please read carefully before commencing:
i)
The duration of this paper is 40 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 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 A/601/0264
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ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
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Q1
a)
Name FOUR types of non-living permeable windbreak.
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b)
State, for ONE of the non-living permeable windbreaks named in a):
i)
ii)
TWO benefits (excluding costs);
TWO limitations (excluding costs).
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c)
Give TWO reasons for providing shelter for an outdoor food production area.
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Q2
a)
State what is meant by the following methods of raising seedlings:
i)
ii)
direct sowing;
sowing into modules.
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b)
Name ONE vegetable crop suitable for EACH of the following:
i)
ii)
direct sowing;
sowing into modules.
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c)
State FOUR methods used to advance and extend the productive season of
outdoor food crops.
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Q3
Describe the production of leeks under EACH of the following headings:
i)
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sowing;
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ii)
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transplanting.
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Q4
a)
Describe the harvesting of a crop of onions.
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b)
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Describe the storing of onions.
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Q5
a)
Distinguish between top fruit and soft fruit giving ONE NAMED cultivar of
EACH.
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b)
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List FOUR factors to be considered when selecting a soft fruit cultivar.
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Q6 a)
Describe the symptoms on apple trees of EACH of the following:
i)
ii)
A NAMED pest;
A NAMED disease.
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b)
Give ONE control measure for the pest named in a).
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c)
Give ONE control measure for the disease named in a).
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Total Mark
©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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R2113
UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCTION OF OUTDOOR
VEGETABLES & FRUIT
Level 2
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Candidates Registered 858
Candidates Entered
734
Candidates Absent
99
Candidates Deferred
13
Candidates Withdrawn
12
Total Candidates Passed
Passed with Commendation
Passed
Failed
85.55%
11.54%
1.51%
1.40%
554
240
314
180
75.48%
32.70%
42.78%
24.52%
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.
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.
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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 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.
10
Candidates should be aware of the reading list of suggested books for the RHS Level
2 Certificate in The Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance
which is available from the Qualifications Section and can also be found on the RHS
website together with past papers.
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Q1
a)
Name FOUR types of non-living permeable windbreak.
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b)
State, for ONE of the non-living permeable windbreaks named in a):
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i)
ii)
c)
TWO benefits (excluding costs);
TWO limitations (excluding costs).
Give TWO reasons for providing shelter for an outdoor food production area.
Q1a)
Most candidates were awarded full marks for naming suitable types of
non-living permeable windbreak e.g. paraweb, hit and miss fencing, open
patterned brick walls, trellis and woven hurdles.
Q1b) Candidates who were able to give suitable benefits and limitations for a named
non-living permeable windbreak gained full marks. Acceptable answers
included;
Benefits – Paraweb – Takes up very little space and is quick and easy
to erect.
Limitations – Paraweb – Not aesthetically pleasing and does not
encourage beneficial wildlife.
i)
ii)
Q1c)
A range of acceptable reasons for providing shelter for an outdoor food
production area were given by candidates who were awarded full marks.
These included;
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To reduce the amount of wind enabling an increase in yields,
To prevent wind scorch to fruit trees and vegetable crops,
To create a micro-climate,
To increase the potential for pollination as pollinators fly more in calm
weather.
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MARKS
Q2
a)
State what is meant by the following methods of raising seedlings:
i)
ii)
b)
direct sowing;
sowing into modules.
Name ONE vegetable crop suitable for EACH of the following:
i)
ii)
c)
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direct sowing;
sowing into modules.
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State FOUR methods used to advance and extend the productive season of
outdoor food crops.
Q2a)
The best candidates correctly stated that;
i)
Direct sowing is where seed is sown into a drill or station where it will
germinate and mature to a crop in–situ.
ii)
Sowing into modules is where a seed(s) are sown into a module filled
with a suitable growing media, usually under glass and transplanted to
their final growing space once hardened off.
Q2b) Most candidates were able to name crops that can be produced using specific
methods and gained full marks. Acceptable crops included;
Q2c)
i)
Direct sowing – Brassica, Leek, Carrot, Beetroot.
ii)
Sowing into modules – Runner bean, Courgette, Lettuce, Onion.
Candidates stated a range of methods used to advance and extend the
productive season of outdoor food crops and were awarded full marks.
Suitable answers included;
Black polythene is laid onto the soil and transfers the sun’s heat to the soil. It
enables seeds to be sown earlier and aids germination and therefore advances
the crop.
Fleece can be used as temporary protection over emerging seedlings and
tender, young plants. It can protect against frost and act as a temporary
windbreak against cold/drying winds.
Low Tunnels are used to warm up the soil enabling earlier sowing of seeds.
They offer protection to tender, young plants from early and late frosts. Young
plants are protected from damage caused by heavy rain and cold winds.
Cold Frames can be used as a nursery bed for brassica transplants and
protect crops from pest attack. They can also be used to grow winter salad
crops.
Candidates who gave details of the following methods i.e. successional
sowing, intercropping, cut and come again could not be awarded any marks as
these methods do not extend the season but avoid seasonal gluts and
maximise the use of space.
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Q3
Describe the production of leeks under EACH of the following headings:
i)
sowing;
ii)
transplanting.
Q3)
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Marks were awarded to candidates who provided detailed descriptions of the
production of leeks. Suitable answers included;
i)
Seed can be sown undercover from mid to late winter until spring in a
greenhouse in trays using seed compost or multi-sown 3-4 seeds per
module. Outdoors seed is sown from early to late spring in a prepared
seedbed, thinly in drills 1-2cm deep and 15cm apart.
ii)
Leeks are transplanted when they are pencil thick and approximately
20cm in height. The roots and tops of transplants are trimmed to 2-3cm
before transplanting. They are spaced between 15 and 23cm apart
depending on the size of leek required in rows 30-38cm apart. A hole
15-20cm deep is made with a dibber and a transplant is dropped into
each hole. The hole is filled with water and not backfilled with soil but
allowed to naturally backfill around the transplant to create a blanched
stem.
When transplanting modules they are planted deep in a hole made
using a trowel. The modules are well watered before and after
transplanting. The transplants are planted in clumps 30cm apart in the
row and 30cm between rows.
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Q4
a)
Describe the harvesting of a crop of onions.
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b)
Describe the storing of onions.
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Q4a)
The majority of candidates were able to clearly describe the harvesting of a
crop of onions and were awarded full marks. Answers include the following
points;
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harvested when tops are going over or yellowing in August/September,
carefully lifted using a fork,
in dry weather onions left on soil surface to dry for a week,
in wet weather onions are dried on slatted benches in a shed or
greenhouse,
remove damaged or diseased bulbs,
remove roots and top growth once dried.
Q4b) Candidates who described correctly the storage of onions in detail gained full
marks. Acceptable answers included;
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onions are stored in a frost and vermin free shed (not dark or the
onions will sprout),
onions require storage that has good air circulation and low humidity,
onions should be stored at a temperature of between 0-10˚C,
onions can be plaited or placed in tights or stockings,
onions can be placed in slatted boxes or netting bags.
Candidates who described the pickling or preserving of onions could not be
awarded any marks as these are methods of preserving onions and not
storage techniques.
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Q5
a)
b)
Distinguish between top fruit and soft fruit giving ONE NAMED cultivar of
EACH.
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List FOUR factors to be considered when selecting a soft fruit cultivar.
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Q5a)
The majority of candidates were able to clearly distinguish between top fruit
and soft fruit and gained full marks.
Top fruit is fruit that grows on a tree which has normally been budded or
grafted onto a specific rootstock and are long lived. Top fruit can be
trained/restricted to fit smaller spaces with most trees requiring a pollinator as
they are generally not self-fertile e.g. Malus ‘Discovery’.
Soft fruit is fruit that grows on a bush, cane or low to the ground and is usually
grown on its own roots. Soft fruit is self pollinating and short lived e.g. Ribes
nigrum ‘Blackdown’.
Q5b) Candidates listed a range of suitable factors to be considered when selecting a
soft fruit cultivar e.g.
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fruit type,
choice of early, mid and late season cultivars,
flavour/taste,
yield,
certified stock,
culinary/dessert cultivars e.g. Gooseberry,
storage/shelf life of fruit.
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Q6 a)
Describe the symptoms on apple trees of EACH of the following:
i)
ii)
A NAMED pest;
A NAMED disease.
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b)
Give ONE control measure for the pest named in a).
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c)
Give ONE control measure for the disease named in a).
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Q6a)
The best candidates correctly described the symptoms of both a pest and
disease on apple trees. Suitable answers included;
i)
Apple Leaf Miner – Silvery-white or brown lines appear on the foliage,
particularly in late summer and leave hammock-like cocoons of white
silk attached to the undersides of leaves or on the bark.
ii)
Apple Canker – The bark becomes discoloured, shrinks and cracks
forming concentric rings of flaky bark. Branches may become swollen
around the affected area and shoots may be girdled causing die back.
Q6b) Full marks were awarded to candidates who gave a suitable control measure
for the named pest including the use of chemical controls naming the active
ingredient and how and when to apply it. Appropriate cultural and physical
controls were also accepted.
Apple Leaf Miner – small infections can be controlled by removing the infested
foliage and burning it. The base of the tree can also be hoed to destroy any
over-wintering pupae. Alternatively lambda-cyhalothrin can be sprayed onto
the foliage shortly after bud burst but not during flowering.
Q6c)
Candidates who gave a suitable control for the named disease gained full
marks e.g.
Apple Canker – can be controlled by cutting out and burning the infected parts
of the tree. Resistant cultivars can be grown or a copper-based fungicide can
be used after picking but before leaf fall.
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