BTEC Horticulture Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Plant science questions in Unit 1 often ask students to explain the mechanism of processes rather than simply describe what happens. For photosynthesis, know both the light-dependent reactions (photosystems, electron transport chain, ATP synthesis) and the Calvin cycle (carbon fixation, reduction, regeneration of RuBP). For transpiration, explain the mechanism of stomatal opening and closing using guard cell osmosis, and know the environmental factors that affect transpiration rate. IPM questions in Unit 3 test understanding of the integrated approach: prevention (cultural controls, resistant varieties, crop rotation), monitoring (pest identification, threshold setting), and intervention (biological controls, targeted pesticide use as a last resort). Know specific examples of biological control agents: Encarsia formosa for whitefly, Phytoseiulus persimilis for spider mite, Bacillus thuringiensis for caterpillars. Propagation questions in Unit 5 require knowledge of the optimal conditions for each method. For softwood cuttings, success requires high humidity (avoid wilting), bottom heat (18–24°C stimulates root development), and well-drained, low-nutrient rooting medium. For seed germination, know the role of imbibition, the optimal temperature range for different species, and the conditions needed for stratification (moist cold treatment to break dormancy).