Agricultural and Horticultural Science: Describe the properties and management of soil (90158)

Transcription

1 Assessment Schedule 2010 NCA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90158) 2010 page 1 of 5 Agricultural and Horticultural Science: Describe the properties and management of soil (90158) vidence Statement with xcellence ON Describes one effect of clay loam on drainage. xplains one effect of clay loam on drainage Clay loam soils hold water for longer. Clay loam holds water for longer, which can prevent plants from wilting. Describes one effect of sandy loam on drainage. Sandy loam soils allow water to drain quickly. xplains one effect of sandy loam on drainage and plant Sandy loam soils allow water to drain quickly, which can result in the soil reaching permanent wilting point quickly, so plants will wilt. Describes a management practice that could be used to reduce drainage on sandy loam soil. Apply compost material. xplains how a management practice could be used to reduce drainage on a sandy loam soil to improve plant Apply compost material, which will act like a sponge and hold water, which plants can access when required. (d) (i) management practice. spreader. management practice, and explains how this management practice affects plant spreader. The lime would act to flocculate the clay, which will improve the drainage by increasing the proportion of macro-pores. This will increase gas exchange for plant roots, enabling them to carry out practice, in terms of physical properties spreader. The lime would act to flocculate the clay, which will improve the drainage by increasing the proportion of macro-pores. This will increase gas exchange for plant roots, enabling them to carry out

2 NCA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90158) 2010 page 2 of 5 respiration more efficiently. respiration more efficiently. Adding lime is better than installing drainage, as whilst this would obviously improve drainage, it would also limit the land use during installation and possibly limit future usage. Judgement for One with xcellence with xcellence TWO Describes one effect of sandy loam on nutrient retention. Sandy loam soils allow nutrients to be leached easily. xplains one effect of sandy loam on nutrient retention and plant Sandy loam soils allow nutrients to be leached easily, which can result in nutrient deficiencies and reduced plant Describes one effect of soil ph. Nutrient availability is highest at a ph of around 6.5. xplains one effect of soil ph on plant Plants prefer a ph of around 6.5 as this is when most nutrients are available for plants to absorb. At other ph values, nutrient uptake is less, which reduces plant applied on the orchard. applied on the orchard, and explains how applying lime would affect nutrient availability Applying lime will raise the ph, which should increase the availability of nutrients, enabling applied on the orchard, and justifies the application of lime as a better method than applying fertiliser (by comparing and contrasting their effects) for improving nutrient availability

3 NCA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90158) 2010 page 3 of 5 increased plant Applying lime will raise the ph, which should increase the availability of nutrients, enabling increased plant An application of fertiliser will increase the amount of nutrients in the soil, however they may not then be available for plants, as they may either be leached or held too tightly by clay particles. Judgement for Two with xcellence with xcellence THR Describes one effect that micro-organisms have on organic matter. xplains one effect that microorganisms have on organic matter Micro-organisms break down (digest) organic matter, which releases nutrients for plants. Micro-organisms break down (digest) organic matter, which releases nutrients for plants. This allows plants to absorb more nutrients and hence grow at a faster rate. Describes one effect of earthworms. arthworms burrow through soil, leaving behind tunnels that allow increased drainage. xplains one effect of earthworms and their affect on plant arthworms burrow through soil, leaving behind tunnels that allow increased drainage. This increases gas exchange and improves respiration in the root system, which in turn increases plant management practice. management practice, and explains how it affects plant

4 NCA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90158) 2010 page 4 of 5 This management practice uses soil nutrients more efficiently, as different crops use different amounts of nutrients. This also prevents pests and diseases from building up, so plants are not damaged by them. practice in relation to long-term effects, disease and nutrient status. Applying compost material will improve the organic matter content of the soil, leading to improved soil structure. It also adds some nutrients which can restore those lost through harvesting the crop. However, compost material will not reduce the pest and disease population as well as crop rotation will do. This management practice uses soil nutrients more efficiently, as different crops use different amounts of nutrients. This also prevents pests and diseases from building up, so plants are not damaged by them. Normally crop rotation would be the best option however Asparagus is a perennial crop and needs to remain in the ground for much longer than 1 year. This therefore means that applying compost would be the more desirable practice to use. Judgement for Three with xcellence with xcellence FOUR (i) Describes the effect of irrigation on the biological properties of sandy loam soil. Irrigation increases the biological activity (nitrogen fixing, decomposition, etc) as water availability is improved. xplains the effect of irrigation on the biological properties of sandy loam soil and plant Irrigation increases the biological activity (nitrogen fixing, decomposition, etc) as water availability is improved. This will increase the availability

5 NCA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90158) 2010 page 5 of 5 of nutrients for plants to take up, thus improving plant Describes the effect of effluent disposal on the physical properties of sandy loam soil. ffluent can improve soil structure by providing organic matter, which binds small particles together. xplains the effect of effluent disposal on the physical properties of sandy loam soil ffluent can improve soil structure by providing organic matter, which binds small particles together. In doing this, pore spaces are increased, which allows better gas exchange within the root zone, whilst also improving nutrient uptake for plants. Describes how the selected management practice would be more suitable. a quad bike. Describes how the selected management practice would be more suitable, and explains how it affects plant a quad bike. These pods distribute large volumes of water over a relatively small area, which will prevent the pasture from suffering from drought conditions. practice, in terms of ease of use a quad bike. These pods distribute large volumes of water over a relatively small area, which will prevent the pasture from suffering from drought conditions. This is a better management practice than centre pivot irrigators, as the pasture can still be grazed and it is very easy to move. Judgement for Four with xcellence Overall Judgement with xcellence 2 A 2 M 2