Practical Skills, Field and Laboratory Work
Domain 10 tests safe and accurate practical work: tool use, seed testing, soil sampling, propagation, spray preparation and record keeping. The exam rewards correct units, labels and observation.
Core rules
- Use clean, sharp tools. Disinfect pruning and grafting tools between plants when disease risk exists.
- Take a representative soil sample from several points, mix it, quarter it and send the required amount with a label.
- In seed testing, germination percentage = germinated seeds ÷ total seeds tested × 100. Record abnormal seedlings separately.
- In propagation practicals, label the cultivar, date, method and treatment. Keep cuttings turgid and out of direct sun.
- Calibrate sprayers before use. Check nozzle output and walking speed.
- Calculate pesticide product from the active ingredient percentage and the required spray volume.
- Record observations immediately. Memory-based records lose marks.
Worked example
Prepare 100 L of spray at 0.1% active ingredient using a 50% wettable powder. Active ingredient required = 0.1% of 100 L = 0.1 kg = 100 g. Because the product is 50% active, product required = 100 ÷ 0.50 = 200 g. So weigh 200 g product and add it to sufficient water to make 100 L, not to 100 L plus product. Wear gloves and avoid drift.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse grams of product with grams of active ingredient. Do not measure concentrate by guesswork. Do not sample only one spot. Do not leave unlabelled grafts or cuttings. Do not skip sprayer calibration.