Plant Science Assignment 1:

Introduction to plant nursery

propagation
(Modules 1 and 2) US27708 Version 1, Level 2

PC 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 4.4, 5.1

Please note: the remaining PC for this unit standard are covered in Assignment 2 (PC 4.1, 4.2,
4.3, 4.5, 4.6) and in Assignment 3 (PC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4).

Due
See study plan for due date.

Assignment overview
This assignment is open book, short answer questions. It covers the material in Module 1 and
Module 2, refer to the learning material in the modules to help you answer the questions

Aim
The assignment tests your knowledge of nursery production practices, sexual and asexual
propagation, and plant variety rights.

Learning outcomes
The assignment covers:

Learning outcome 2: Demonstrate knowledge of sexual and asexual plant propagation

Learning outcome 3: Demonstrate knowledge of nursery production practices

How this will be marked

To pass this assignment you need to be assessed as competent. If you are assessed as not yet
competent, you will have another two opportunities to resubmit your answers and
demonstrate competency. You need to complete the assessment before the end of your
enrolment period. Make sure you leave enough time before the end of your enrolment period
to rework the assessment if you need to resubmit it. When you have finished the tasks, check
your answers thoroughly, and check that you have answered all the questions. If you are
unsure or wish to have any questions clarified please contact your Tutor.

Instructions
As a guide, write 1–4 sentences to answer each question.

Use horticultural terms in your answers.

Task 1: Sexual and asexual propagation
(a)
Define sexual and asexual plant propagation. Give two examples of each propagation method.

Sexual propagation is the creation of a new plant by growing it from seed. Asexual propagation
is the creation of a new plant by growing it from a piece of an existing plant. Examples of
sexual propagation include planting lettuce seeds and raising them, or planting Sweet Pea
seeds and raising them. Examples of asexual propagation include taking a stem cutting of Rosa
Multiflora, or layering rhododendrons.

(US 27708 PC 1.1) (LO 2)

(b)
List three advantages of sexual propagation.

 Growing plants via sexual propagation is a simple and low cost way of propagating
large numbers of plants.
 Seeds carry few viruses which means that they tend to grow into plants without
viruses.
 Seeds are the only way that some plants can be propagated as they won’t grow from
plant pieces.

List three disadvantages of sexual propagation.

 Some species are difficult to grow from seed.

 Some plants are slow to reach flowering age when they are grown from seed.
 Many plants cannot be grown as true to type from seed.

(US 27708 PC 1.2 & PC 2.6) (LO 2)

(c)
List three advantages of asexual propagation

 It can produce some plants more quickly.

 Asexually propagated plants tend to fruit and flower at an earlier age than sexually
propagated plants.
 It is the only way to propagate some plant species as they may not produce seed, or
true to type seed, or they may not set very many seeds.
List three disadvantages of asexual propagation

 Viruses and diseases can be passed from the parent plant onto the new plant.
 There is no variation in the offspring which means that undesirable characteristics can
be passed on.
 Some of the propagation methods can be difficult, time consuming and more expensive
than growing from seed.

(US 27708 PC 1.2) (LO 2)

Task 2: Growing plants from seed

(a)
What are the two main sources of seeds for horticulturalists?

There are two main sources of seeds for horticulturists. They can either buy seeds from
specialist seed suppliers or retailers, or they can collect seed from a parent plant.

(US 27708 PC 2.1) (LO 2)

(b)

(i) Describe the general conditions for seed storage, including why suitable storage is needed
to maintain viability.

Most seed should be stored in closed containers that are placed in cool, dry, dark conditions.
This is because these conditions slow respiration and the other processes in the seed, which
means that the seed will be prevented from sprouting. The seed is also protected from
rodents, birds and other pests (insects) which may damage it leading to the seed not being
viable.

(ii) Describe three factors that affect seed viability

Three factors that affect seed viability are whether it’s stored correctly with regards to
moisture, whether it’s stored correctly with regards to damage to the seed, and how long it is
stored for. If there is too much moisture then the seed can grow mould which will feed on the
embryo and kill the seed resulting in seed unviability. If something damages the seed coat then
it may hinder the seed from germinating which means that the seed is unviable. Some plants
have short lived seed and some plants have long lived seed. If the seed uses up its food
reserves before it has the right conditions for germination, then it won’t have energy to fuel
the germination process, which means that it will be unviable.

(iii) Describe two factors that are important for seed germination.

Two factors that are important for seed germination are having enough water, and having the
right temperature. Seeds should be planted and then watered (although there are exceptions
to the rule) and the amount of water depends on the species. The amount of water affects the
rate of seed germination and the number of seeds that will germinate. The correct temperature
depends on the species of the plant, but most plants germinate between 18-21 degrees. At
too high temperatures, some seeds may become dormant, and at too low temperatures,
germination slows down and some seeds may not germinate at all.

(US 27708 PC 2.1) (LO 2 LO 3)

(c)
Describe the treatment used to break a seed’s physical dormancy.

There are three different ways to break a seed’s physical dormancy. Firstly, a mechanical
process whereby you chip or nick the seed coat with a knife. One way to do this would be to
put large numbers of seeds into a drum lined with sandpaper. Secondly, there is a commercial
process using sulphuric acid to break into the seed coat, and finally, using 3 parts hot water to
1 part seeds to soak the seeds and leave them for 24 hours before sowing. The seeds should
swell and be ready for planting.

(d)
Describe the treatment used to break a seed’s chemical dormancy.

The process of overcoming chemical dormancy is called stratification and consists of two
stages. Firstly, the seeds must absorb water. This is carried out by mixing the seeds with damp
sand or peat at a ratio of 4:1 (medium: seeds). They are then left in a polythene bag for a few
days at room temperature so that they soak up the moisture. Secondly, they are exposed to
chilling. This occurs as the bag is placed in a chiller where the temperature is just above
freezing. The bag is turned once a week to keep the mixture aerated and loose. This process
can take 1-4 months depending on the plant species.

(US 27708 PC 2.2) (LO 2)

(e)
(i) Give three examples of required features of seed raising media?

Three examples of the required features of seed raising media are:

 That it has plenty of air space so the seeds can breathe.

 That it is free draining, but also holds enough water for good growth.
 That it is sterile (free of pests, pathogens, and weeds).

(ii) Give two examples of seed raising media.

Two examples of seed raising media are a peat mix media, or a bark mix media.

(iii) What are the required features of containers used for raising seeds?

Containers must hold the growing media securely, they must allow water to be added, they
must drain so that the growing media does not become waterlogged, and finally it must be
clean and able to be cleaned and sterilised.
(iv) Describe five features of soil conditions needed for field sown seed.

 Soil needs to be free draining and crumbly (sand can be added to improve drainage).
 Soil needs to be damp but not overly wet.
 Soil needs to be ploughed or cultivated (hoe, or rotary hoe cultivator).
 Soil needs to be free of weeds (by using herbicide or by weeding thoroughly
beforehand).
 Soil needs to have the correct pH (can add lime to lower the pH).

(US 27708 PC 2.3) (LO 2 LO3)

(f)
(i) Name and describe two methods that can be used for sowing seed in containers.

The first method is hand sowing. This is where the seed is sown evenly over the surface of the
media in a thin layer, the seeds are then covered with a thin layer of media and watered. If
hand sowing with fine seeds then they can be mixed with sand to get better coverage and do
not need to be covered with media. If using large seeds then they can be spaced out
individually or planted using a dibber which allows you to deposit seeds one by one.

The second method is mechanical sowing. This is where an automatic precision-sowing system
is used that sows the seeds into cell trays. The seeds are then grown in the cell trays to a
saleable size.

(ii) Name and describe two sowing methods that can be used in the field.

The first method is direct sowing by machine. This is where the seed is sown in the position in
which it will grow and be harvested in. It is carried out by a precision seed drill which machine
sows seed accurately into rows. The seed drill places the seed directly in the soil and then
covers it with more soil, which is lightly rolled by small rollers on the rear of the drill. After
sowing, the bed is watered. The spacing can be set for 4 or 8 rows depending on the crop and
the machine can also be adjusted to change the sowing rate and depth.

The second method is broadcast sowing. This is where seed is thrown by hand onto the seed
bed. A calm day must be chosen to make sure the seed does not fly away. Before sowing, the
seed bed needs to be raked to break up the soil surface. The soil should be damp but not
overly wet. To get an even spread, split the seed into 2 amounts and do two broadcast
sowings. Very fine seed can be bulked up by sand to help get even spread. After sowing, seed
needs to be lightly rolled or pressed down and then covered with soil to the required depth.
Then it should be watered.

(US 27708 PC 2.4) (LO 2)

(g)
(i) Describe the conditions needed for seed germination and for establishing the seedlings in
the field and in containers.

There are three main conditions for seed germination. Firstly, the seed needs to be viable
which means that the seed needs to have potential to grow (stored correctly and for an
appropriate time). The embryo needs to be alive. Secondly, the seed must not be dormant. This
means that the internal conditions of the seed must be favourable. Thirdly, the seeds must be
in a favourable environment with appropriate amounts of water, light, oxygen and the right
temperature.

The conditions needed for establishing seedlings in the field and in containers are that they
must be exposed to plenty of air and light as this stops them from becoming weak and leggy.
They shouldn’t have too much light as string sunlight can kill a seedling. They need to be
protected from pests and diseases. They should be grown in a weed free environment. They
may also need protection from frost and might need extra fertiliser.

Seedlings should be pricked out to give them enough light, water and air to grow successfully.
Once they have grown a bit more, they can be hardened off.

(ii) Describe the maintenance of germinating seeds in the field and in containers,

Seedlings should be covered with a shade cloth to avoid strong sunlight. They should
continually be protected from pests via organic manual pest control or insecticides. They may
also be protected via bird nets or shade covers. Plants should be checked regularly for fungal
disease as this can be prevented via good hygiene (clean trays, clean media, and fresh air
around seedlings). Fungicides can also be used to prevent fungal disease. Seedlings should be
protected from frost by frost cloth and seedlings in containers may need cover during the
winter and the soil may freeze. Controlling weeds is also important so that they don’t compete
with the seedlings. Herbicides can be used or weeds can be pulled out by hand.

(US 27708 PC 2.5) (LO 2)

(h)
(i) Give two reasons why plants are propagated by seed?

 It is low cost and simple.

 Seeds carry few viruses so the plants are more healthy.

(ii) List 10 plants that can be propagated from seed

 Nikau palm
 Marigolds
 Sweet pea
 Dahlia
 Pittosporum
 Avocado
 Pine trees
 Parsnips
 Carrot
 Kowhai

(US 27708 PC 2.6) (LO 2)

Task 3: Plant variety rights
(a)
What is the meaning of “PVR” and two examples of benefits to plant breeders.

PVR stands for Plant variety rights. It is an international rights system run in New Zealand by
MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment). It protects the plant breeders’
ownership of a variety they’ve created. PVR also helps plant breeders get their investment
costs back so they can make a profit.

(US 27708 PC 5.1) (LO 2 LO3)

(b)
Outline the rights of a plant breeder who creates a new variety.

PVR gives the plant breeder the exclusive right to produce and sell propagation material of the
cultivars they develop. They can also charge a fee if they license other growers to produce and
sell the plant. With vegetatively propagated fruit, ornamental and vegetable varieties, PVR also
gives the plant breeder the exclusive right to propagate the variety for the commercial
production of fruit, flowers and other products.

(US 27708 PC 5.1) (LO 2 LO3)

(c)
Give two advantages of having a trademark for a horticultural plant.

 A trademark lasts indefinitely.

 It’s exclusive to the owners of the trademark.

(US 27708 PC 5.1) (LO 2 LO3)