PTP1501

May/June 2022

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

May/June 2022

PTP1501
Introduction to Plant Production

MEMORANDUM
100 Marks
Duration: 2 Hours

FIRST EXAMINER: Prof. K. Ntushelo

SECOND EXAMINER: Dr. L. E. Nemadodzi

This paper consists of FIVE pages.

Instructions:
 Read each question carefully before you answer it.
 You can also type your answers and submit an electronic document.
 Use the same numbers for your answers as those used for the questions in the
examination paper.
 Complete the Honesty Declaration before you start your exam.
 Use the https//myexams.unisa.ac.za/ site to upload your answers.
 Please ensure that you upload your answers after 2 hours. 
 You will only be allowed 15 minutes to upload your answers, after the 2 hours of the
exam has passed.
 This is an open book exam but should be your own work.
 No consultation is allowed for the duration of the exam paper.

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QUESTION 1
1.1 Complete the table below following the example given:

Crop Life cycle Stem characteristics Habitat

Maize annual herbaceous terrestrial

Cabbage 1.2.1…………… 1.2.2…………… 1.2.3……………

Tomato 1.2.4…………… 1.2.5…………… 1.2.6……………

Peach 1.2.7…………… 1.2.8…………… 1.2.9……………

Water hyacinth perennial/ herbaceous 1.2.10……………

annual

(10)

1.2.1 Annual

1.2.2 herbaceous

1.2.3 terrestrial

1.2.4 perennial or annual

1.2.5 herbaceous

1.2.6 terrestrial

1.2.7 perennial

1.2.8 woody

1.2.9 terrestrial

1.2.10 aquatic

1.2 Various plant metabolic processes require energy, and ATP is often referred to as the
energy molecule. What role does ATP play in the energy needs of the plant? (5)

Energy stored in the plant is stored in the form of ATP. ATP releases energy when it is split into ADP
and P in reactions which require energy. ATP is required for membrane transport and other
processes.

1.3 Fill the missing words

The plant is an important component of life and the ecosystem. Plants are named according

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to their 1.3.1 ……………………… 1.3.2 ………………………1.3.3………………………..etc.

The science of naming and classifying plants is known as 1.3.4…………………. Each

plant performs biochemical processes for its sustenance and this process called 1.3.5………

involves the uptake of nutrients, water and gases to utilize them for growth, development

and reproduction. The collective biochemical processes to sustain the plant can either be

1.3.6……………………which means large macromolecules are broken down to release energy

or can be 1.3.7………………………..which means simple building blocks are combined to

form complex molecules. Plants can be divided into two broad categories, cone-bearing

plants known as 1.3.8……………………….. and flowering plants known as 1.3.9……………….

Plants are important role players in the ecosystem and that is why they need to reproduce for

a sustained future, especially the plants called 1.3.10……………. which are important agricultural

plants that we use for food. (10)

1.3.1 habitats

1.3.2 stems types

1.3.3 flowering, fruiting and reproductive life styles

1.3.4 taxonomy

1.3.5 metabolism

1.3.6 catabolic

1.3.7 anabolic

1.3.8 gymnosperms

1.3.9 angiosperms

1.3.10 crops

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QUESTION 2

The diagram above illustrates the effect of varying temperatures on plants. Answer the following:
2.1 According to the illustration which of the three temperatures, 15°C, 25°C and 35°C is optimal
for plant growth? Why? (3)
2.2 Which of the temperature is most deleterious? (1)
2.3 Assume water was sufficiently and equally supplied to all the plants which plant likely
had the highest transpiration rate? Motivate. (3)
2.4 In which of the plants was photosynthesis the most optimal? Motivate? (3)
2.5 Describe the biochemical processes which must have taken place in the plant that was
exposed to 35°C and led to leaf fall. (5)
2.6 If some of these plants are undergoing stress mention the type of stresses. What is
stress? (5)

2.1 25°C is optimal for plant growth because the plant growing at 25°C accumulated biomass

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with time.
2.2 35°C is most deleterious because the plant growing at 35°C experiences leaf fall.
2.3 The higher the temperature the higher is the evapotranspiration. It is therefore likely that the
plant which grew at 35°C had the highest transpiration rate.
2.4 Photosynthesis was most optimal at 25°C because the accumulation of biomass shows that
photosynthates which are the carbohydrates from photosynthesis accumulated the most.
2.5 the plant that was exposed to 35°C experienced very high less of heat. The high heat must
have caused rapid loss of water as water uptake could not match the rate of water loss. The
plant must have scotched and the weak stem could no longer support the weight of the leaf.
2.6 the stresses are heat stress and cold stress. Stress is a physiological condition of
malfunction caused by an external factor like lack of water or high temperature.
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QUESTION 3

Farmers of Bokamoso Irrigation Scheme prefer to wet the soil before planting and then wet the
soil after planting to ensure that the seed has enough moisture. These farmers plant only maize.
Discuss the various anatomical, physiological and biochemical processes which take place from
seed imbibition beneath the soil until the germination is established.

(three marks for every valid point)

CHECK SECTION 3.3.2.1 AND SECTION 3.3.2.2 OF THE STUDY GUIDE.

The seed coat splits after imbibition (the process during which the seed imbibes moisture), and the
radicle emerges, indicating germination. The radicle develops into the hypocotyl and primary root.
The radicle grows downwards and the hypocotyl lengthens, forming a hook, called the plumular
hook, which emerges above the soil surface and “pulls” the cotyledons above the ground. The
growing point or apical meristem is protected between the cotyledons. This designates
emergence. This type of germination is called epigeal germination. Epigeal germination poses a
problem. The cotyledons must be “pulled” out of the soil. These “pulling” forces place tremendous
strain on the plumular hook, and sometimes the neck breaks, especially in adverse soil conditions.
After emergence, the plumular hook straightens and the cotyledons open. The epicotyl (the region
between the cotyledons and the first leaves) lengthens. The first two simple leaves develop rapidly
from the apical meristem and begin to photosynthesis. The cotyledons, having supplied all the
nutrients up to this point, shrivel and drop off. Secondary roots develop from the primary root,

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forming a typical tap root system. The stem lengthens, forming nodes and internodes, each
bearing two trifoliate compound leaves. Within the leaf axil there are lateral buds, which are able to
form side stems (lateral stems) as well as flower clusters (inflorescences). Flower formation
normally begins at the fourth set of leaves, and after that in each succeeding set of leaf axils.
Flowers are continuously formed as long as conditions are favourable. This means that pods can
be formed over a long period. Plants flowering this way have an indeterminate flowering habit.
When the pods ripen and dry, they split open and the bean seeds are scattered on the ground

For hypogeal germination

The garden pea demonstrates hypogeal germination. This means that the seed stays under the
soil surface. The epicotyl lengthens and pushes 38 the growing point, the plumule, above the
surface of the soil. This puts less strain on the growing point than in epigeal germination. These
plants are therefore able to withstand adverse conditions better than plants that display epigeal
germination.

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QUESTION 4

The illustration above demonstrates an important plant biochemical process.

4.1 In which organelles of the plant does the process illustrated above take place? (2)
4.2 The products from this process are moved from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Describe how this movement takes place. (8)
4.3 List at least five factors which affect the rate of this process. (10)

4.1 Chloroplasts
4.2 The food synthesised by the plant during photosynthesis and many other organic substances,
especially growth regulators, move through the phloem. This movement is from a source to a sink.

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The source can be the place where the substance was manufactured, or where it was stored. The
movement can be forward or backward, depending on where the product is used. We do not know
exactly how this system works, but one widely accepted theory is mass flow theory. A product, say
glucose, is produced through photosynthesis in the mesophyll cells of leaves (parenchyma tissue).
This is the source. This glucose is converted to sucrose and actively transported into the sieve
tube. This means that energy (ATP) is used to pump the glucose into the sieve tube. Water
follows the sucrose into the sieve tube, and the pressure builds up in the sieve tube on the source
side. On the other side, say in the stem tip, sucrose is needed as a source of energy and as
building blocks to grow new stems. In our example, this is the sink. The sucrose is taken from the
sieve tubes into the stem tip, and the water follows the sucrose into the stem parenchyma tissue.
The difference in pressure causes the sieve tube contents to move in the direction of the roots.
The rate of metabolic activity in different plant parts determines the direction of phloem
translocation. When young stem growth is active in spring, the movement is in that direction.
When nutrient reserves are deposited in the roots in late summer, the principal movement in the
phloem is in the direction of the roots.
Give two marks for every valid point and ensure it is not listing but describe.
4.3
A healthy living green plant
Light quality
Light intensity
Day length
Carbon dioxide
Temperature
Water availability
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QUESTION 5

What role does each of the following play in the water balance of the plant and the cohesion-
tension theory?
5.1 Mesophyll cells
5.2 Xylem
5.3 Hydrogen bonding
5.4 Tracheid
5.5 Stoma

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5.1 mesophyll cells are part of the transpiration stream. Water evaporates from the mesophyll
cells
and as they become water deficient they pull water to close the potential difference caused by
water loss.
5.2 xylem transport water in the plant
5.3 hydrogen bonding is crucial in the adhesion-cohesion theory of the plant. Water molecules
stick
together because of hydrogen bonds.
5.4 tracheids transport water
5.5 the stoma serves as an exit point for water out of the plant on the underside of the leaf.

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TOTAL MARKS: 100
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UNISA 2022