No.

10/1

Student Personal Identification

Marker Code
Number (SPIN)

Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate

AGRICULTURE
2010

QUESTION and ANSWER BOOKLET

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS
1. This examination has TWO Sections. Both Sections are COMPULSORY.

SECTION DESCRIPTION MARKS

A Multiple Choice 20
B Short Answers 100

2. Write all answers to the Multiple Choice questions in the answer sheet on the FOLD-OUT
FLAP on the last page.

3. Answer all questions in Section B in the spaces provided.

4. Write your Student Personal Identification Number (SPIN) clearly in the box at the top right
of this page and on the fold-out flap at the end of this booklet.

5. Check that this booklet contains pages 2-22 in the correct order and that none of these pages
is blank.

YOU MUST HAND THIS BOOKLET TO THE SUPERVISOR AT THE END OF THE
EXAMINATION.

TOTAL MARKS:
120
 2

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE (20 marks)

Answer all TWENTY questions. Each question is worth one mark. Write your answers
in the Multiple Choice Answer Sheet on the back flap.

1. A managed ecosystem is an environment that has been

A. disturbed.
B. undisturbed.
C. infested with pests.
D. covered with woodland.

2. Agro-forestry is the planting of

A. plants in a forest.
B. legumes and agricultural crops.
C. tree crops with agricultural crops.
D. two or more crops on the same piece of land.

Use the following information to answer questions 3 and 4.

The table below shows the result of an investigation on four different areas (A, B, C and D) of
the same sizes at a particular time.

Area
Results
A B C D
1 Number of earthworms found per m2 3 12 9 15
2 Number of insects collected 5 10 8 18
3 Number of different plant species collected 3 9 7 11
4 Colour of soil Light Dark Light Black
brown brown brown

3. Which area is most likely to be undisturbed?

A. Area A
B. Area B
C. Area C
D. Area D

4. Which area indicates poor management?

A. Area A
B. Area B
C. Area C
D. Area D
 3

5. A compost is the decomposition of

A. plant residue in layers.

B. plant and animal remains in heaps.
C. organic matter with the help of chemicals.
D. animal residue by soil organism activity.

6. Burrowing of soil by earthworms will

A. dissolve plant nutrients present.

B. improve soil drainage, aeration and soil structure.
C. help in photosynthesis and microbes living in the soil.
D. provide mechanical support and nutrients for plant growth.

The picture shows a method of growing plants in soilless media.

7. The advantage of the above method is that it

A. is easy to manage and cheap.

B. uses water and nutrients only for growing plants.
C. produces plants that improve soil texture and structure.
D. is free of contamination from disease, pests and weeds.

Use the following information to answer questions 8 and 9.

The data in the table shows the effects of different forms of NPK fertilizer on the growth of
tomato plants.
Form of NPK fertilizer
Collected data
Solid Liquid Powder
Number of leaves 21 48 30
Number of fruits produced 12 27 19
Plant height (cm) 38 47 42

8. In what form would NPK fertilizer have the best effect on the growth of tomato plants?

A. Gas
B. Solid
C. Liquid
D. Powder
 4

9. Which of the following methods would most likely be used to apply NPK liquid fertilizer
to tomato plants?

A. Banding
B. Broadcasting
C. Foliar spraying
D. Basal application

Use the soil texture triangle to answer questions 10 and 11.

10. The soil proportions for point A in the diagram is

A. Sand 20%, silt 70%, clay 10%

B. Sand 10%, silt 70%, clay 20%
C. Sand 70%, silt 10%, clay 20%
D. Sand 10%, silt 20%, clay 70%

11. The textual class for a soil sample with 55% sand, silt 20%, clay 25% is

A. sandy clay
B. sandy loam
C. medium loam
D. sandy clay loam
 5

12. The interrelationship shown by the diagram is best represented by

A. duration, virulence and disease severity.

B. environment, pathogen and susceptibility.
C. favorableness, abundance and susceptibility.
D. resistance, disease escape and disease severity.

13. The main reason for record keeping in the management of agricultural enterprises is to
gain

A. data for management analysis.

B. information for production and marketing.
C. information for making management decisions.
D. data for determining the profitability of an enterprise.

14. Post-harvest handling is important for maintaining and promoting product

A. texture and ripeness.

B. freshness and aroma.
C. quantity and added value.
D. quality and market requirements.

15. Farm management is concerned with the best utilisation of

A. land.
B. labour.
C. capital.
D. resources.

16. A good example of an agricultural related business enterprise is a/an

A. abattoir.
B. warehouse.
C. bookshop.
D. gymnasium.
 6

The picture shows a cattle farm.

17. One reason for stock grazing rotation on this farm is to

A. increase stock numbers.

B. prevent soil compaction.
C. prevent the spread of disease.
D. identify high performing animals.

18. Drenching animals is a method for

A. separation based on performance.

B. marking with tags for identification.
C. treatment using tube to the stomach.
D. breeding by artificial insemination.

19. Which of the following is a disease of poultry?

A. Mastitis
B. Scouring
C. Coccidiosis
D. Nutritional starvation

20. Which graph best represents the relationship between dehydration and water supply?
 7

SECTION B: SHORT ANSWERS (100 marks)

QUESTION ONE: AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEM (8 marks)

1. Study the picture and answer questions a to c.

PINE

BACTERIA

a. The picture shows an example of a typical ecosystem. Explain the term ecosystem.

(1 mark)

b. The living things which inhabit any environment are usually of three distinct groups,
one of them being a decomposer. Give the other TWO groups and give ONE example
of each shown in the picture.

Group 1 Example
Group 2 Example
(2 marks)

c. Give TWO harmful effects of pesticides on the ecosystem.

i.
ii.
(2 marks)
 8

2. Read the article below and answer questions a and b.

The economics of organic farming is characterized by increasing profits through

reduced water use, nutrient-contamination by pesticides, reduced soil erosion and
carbon emissions and increased biodiversity. Organic farming produces the same
crop variants as those produced through conventional farming methods, but incurs
50% lower expenditure on fertilizer and energy, and retains 40% more topsoil.

a. Give TWO advantages of using organic farming.

i.

ii.

(2 marks)

b. Mulching is one method commonly used in organic farming. Give ONE benefit of
using mulch.

(1 mark)

Q1
8
 9

QUESTION TWO: SOIL (13 marks)

1. Study the information in the picture below and answer questions a to c.

a. The picture shows the root system of a special type of plant. Name the type of plant
shown above.

(1 mark)

b. Explain the role of this type of plant in increasing soil fertility.

(2 marks)

c. Name the swelling growth on the roots labeled X.

(1 mark)

2. Study the table below that shows the result of an investigation on how soil pH affects
nutrient availability and then answer questions a to d.

Soil pH Percentage (%) Recovery

N P K
7.0 70 30 60
6.0 63 15 60
5.5 52 15 45
5.0 38 10 30
4.5 21 8 21

a. At what level of soil pH were N, P and K most available?

(1 mark)

b. Explain what happens to the availability of N, P and K as the soil becomes more acidic.

(1 mark)
 10

c. At what level of soil pH would lime need to be applied?

(1 mark)

d. Explain how liming helps to improve the soil.

(2 marks)

3. Farmer Joe was devastated when he found his field completely destroyed after several days
of rain. Now he is unable to use his field for cropping and it will cost him more money to
repair his field. The picture below shows farmer Joe’s field.

a. Name the type of soil erosion shown in the picture.

(1 mark)

b. Give TWO soil conservation methods which farmer Joe can use to prevent soil erosion
and describe how they are done.

i.

ii.

(2 marks)

c. Explain what the term irrigation means.

(1 mark)

Q2
13
 11

QUESTION THREE: PLANT PRODUCTION (20 marks)

1. Jane noticed that her maize plants were showing unusual leaf colouring and concluded that
they were symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. She took some samples to the lab to be
checked and was told that her plants were showing symptoms of Potassium deficiency.

a. Jane’s maize plants are showing symptoms of Potassium deficiency. Give TWO
symptoms that Jane would have seen.
i.
ii.
(2 marks)

b. Give TWO functions of Potassium in plant growth.

i.

ii.

(2 marks)

c. Which nutrient group does Potassium belong to? (Tick the correct answer)

MACRO – NUTRIENT MICRO – NUTRIENT

(1 mark)

2. Read the article below and answer questions a to c.

Charles Darwin and his son Francis studied the familiar reaction of plants growing toward light.
The Darwins discovered that the tips of the plant curved first, and that the curve extended
gradually down the stem. By covering the tips with foil, they prevented the plant from curving. They
concluded that some factor was transmitted from the tip of the plant to the lower regions, causing
the plant to bend.

a. Name the plant hormone the article is referring to.

(1 mark)

b. Explain the function of the plant hormone described in the article.

(1 mark)

c. Give an example of another plant hormone and how it is used commercially.

Example
How it is used

(2 marks)
 12

3. In the box below are listed five (5) common steps of growing crops.

Transplanting Sowing of seeds Harvesting Thinning Land preparation

a. List the words above in order of which farming practice comes first to last, and give a
description for each practice.
i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

(5 marks)

4. Weeds are a common problem. Farmers spend a lot of time, labour and money trying to
control them.

a. Define a weed.

(1 mark)
b. Describe a situation where a crop plant can be regarded as a weed.

(1 mark)

c. Give TWO characteristics that a plant must have before it can be regarded as a weed.
i.
ii.
(2 marks)

d. At what growth stage is it best to control weeds? Give a reason for your answer.
Growth stage
Reason

(2 marks)

Q3
20
 13

QUESTION FOUR: PLANT PROTECTION (13 marks)

1. Study the graph and answer questions a to c.

The graph shows Pest densities (total number per leaf) using leaf sampling from
June – September 2001 on unsprayed grapevines.

PEST DENSITIES

10

7
Number per leaf

0
June July Aug Sept
Month

Mealybugs Thrips Mites Leafhoppers

a. Name the pest which would cost the most to control during the month of August.

(1 mark)

b. Name the pest that has the least number during the month of July.

(1 mark)

c. Describe the trend for mite densities throughout June to September.

_______________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
 14

2. The diagram shows the life cycle of the Diamondback moth.

EGG

a. Complete the life cycle above by filling in the THREE empty boxes. (3 marks)

b. What type of metamorphosis is shown? (Tick the correct answer)

INCOMPLETE COMPLETE (1 mark)

c. What is the best stage to control this pest? Give a reason for your answer.
Stage
Reason

(2 marks)

3. The heavy bodied fruit bats known as flying foxes are

notorious in tropical and subtropical environments. Living in
colonies, these intelligent and social animals can descend on
fruit plantations in sufficiently large numbers to strip
valuable crops and cause extensive damage to trees.

a. Name the animal pest group the fruit bat belongs to.

(1 mark)
b. Describe TWO physical controls for this pest.
i.
ii.
(2 marks)

Q4
13
 15

QUESTION FIVE: ANIMAL PRODUCTION (18 marks)

1. Castration is one farming practice that is commonly used by pig farmers.

a. Describe in FOUR steps how castration is carried out on a farm.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

(4 marks)

b. Give TWO reasons why castration is carried out.

i.
ii.
(2 marks)

2. Use the diagram to answer questions a and b.

a. Label the chicken digestive system using the following parts.

i. Crop
ii. Gizzard
iii. Cloaca (3 marks)

b. Give the function of ONE of the parts you labeled.

(1 mark)
 16

3. Toma recently bought some new pigs which are good meat producers. Wanting to upgrade
the meat quality of his local breeds he crossed the breeds. The trait for good quality meat
(G) is dominant over poor quality meat (g).

a. Complete the cross above. (2 marks)

b. What percentage of the F1 generation will have good quality meat?

(1 mark)

c. The box shows the gestation period of different farm animals.

Cattle Pig Sheep

280 days 114 days 145 days

If a sow is successfully mated on the 3rd of March, it will farrow on:

(1 mark)
 17

4. Using the space provided draw the reproductive system of a sow and label any THREE
parts.

(4 marks)

Q5
18
 18

QUESTION SIX: ANIMAL PROTECTION (8 marks)

1. Ticks can cause severe infestation that can lead to anaemia, loss of condition and death.

a. Which of the following groups of parasite do ticks belong to? (Tick the correct answer).

ENDO – PARASITE ECTO – PARASITE

(1 mark)

b. Explain the difference between an Ecto and Endo parasite.

(2 marks)

2. Tina found that her cattle were showing unusual signs of disease. As she did not want to
lose her stock, she called in a veterinarian and presented a list of symptoms which she had
observed for the veterinarian’s examination. Her list of symptoms was:
ƒ Coughing
ƒ Loss of weight
ƒ Loss of condition

a. Name the disease that Tina’s cattle are suffering from.

(1 mark)

b. Give TWO control methods Tina must carry out to keep her livestock healthy.
i.
ii.
(2 marks)

c. Explain how an outbreak of a disease can impact Tina’s farm economically.

(2 marks)

Q6
8
 19

QUESTION SEVEN: AGRICULTURAL MARKETNG (10 marks)

1. Use the Marketing Channel below to answer questions a to c.

a. Define the term marketing.

(1 mark)

b. Describe the roles of the Wholesaler, Retailer and Consumer in the marketing channel.
Wholesaler

Retailer

Consumer

(3 marks)

c. The exportation and importation of fruits, crops and other plant material demands strict
Quarantine. Explain why it is important to carry out Quarantine procedures.

(2 marks)
 20

2. The graph below shows the average price per kilogram ($/kg) of Taro at the local market
and the New Zealand market.

Average Price of Taro at the Market Between 2001

and 2003

4
3.5

3
Price ($/kg)

2.5

2
1.5

0.5
0
N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F

2001 2002 Month

2003
Local Market NZ Market

a. Name TWO market opportunities for the Taro product above.

i.
ii.
(2 marks)

b. Which month would you get the best prices when selling Taro at the local markets?

(1 mark)

c. Explain why processed products are more expensive than fresh produce.

(1 mark)

Q7
10
 21

QUESTION EIGHT: AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT (10 marks)

1. In order to start a farm, a farmer must have available resources with which to produce.
These are known as productive resources and are grouped under three headings: Land,
Labour and Capital.

Write brief notes to explain how Land and Labour are vital to the productivity of a farm.

Land

Labour

(2 marks)

2. Study the picture and answer questions a and b.

CHEMICAL STORAGE

a. Identify TWO problems shown in the picture.

i.
ii.
(2 marks)

b. Give TWO ways in which you can solve the problems.

i.
ii.
(2 marks)
 22

Use the information in the table to answer question 3.

Fertilizer Crop yield

applied (kg) (kg)
0 500
20 700
40 900
60 1080
80 1250
100 1370
120 1450
140 1480
150 1490
160 1470

3. a. At what level of fertilizer application is the most crop yield produced?

(1 mark)

b. Explain why there is a drop in crop yield when 160kg of fertilizer is applied.

(1 mark)

4. Describe TWO first-aid safety procedures that should be followed if a farmer spills
chemical on his skin.
i.
ii.
(2 marks)

Q8
10
 23

Student Personnel
Identification Number (SPIN)

ANSWER SHEET AGRICULTURE

Multiple Choice Section 2010
(For markers only)

1. 6. Check
SECTION A Marker Marker
2. 7.
Multiple Choice
20
3. 8.

SECTION B Check
Marker
4. 9. Marker
Q1 Agricultural
5. 10. Ecosystem 8

Q2 Soil
CHECK QUESTION NUMBER 13

Q3 Plant Production
11. 16. 20

Q4 Plant Protection
12. 17. 13

Q5 Animal Production
13. 18.
18

Q6 Animal Protection
14. 19.
8
Q7 Agricultural
15. 20. Marketing
10
Q8 Agricultural
Management
10

TOTAL 120