1 GENERAL AGRICULTURE

1.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF LAND USE

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE DIFFERENT FORMS OF LAND USE, INCLUDING DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
AND FARMING PRACTICES (ROTATIONS, MIXED FARMING AND MONOCULTURE), FORESTRY
AND AQUACULTURE
(B) DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN THE WAYS IN WHICH THE USES OF LAND IN DIFFERENT AREAS MAY
BE LIMITED BY TOPOGRAPHICAL, CLIMATIC AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
(C) UNDERSTAND THAT POPULATION GROWTH LEADS TO A NEED FOR EFFICIENT USE OF LAND
AND FARM PLANNING.

1.2 PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE ORGANIC PRODUCTION, HYDROPONICS AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS
AND BE ABLE TO DISCUSS ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE USE OF GM CROPS AND
ORGANIC PRODUCTION
(B) EXPLAIN THE PRINCIPLES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND, DIMINISHING RETURNS,
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHOICES FACING THE FARMER, DECISION-MAKING BASED ON
UNDERSTANDING OF ECONOMIC FACTORS.

2 SOIL
2.1 SOIL FORMATION
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) EXPLAIN SOIL FORMATION FROM PARENT MATERIAL BY PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS OF WEATHERING.

2.2 SOIL TYPES, COMPOSITION, TEXTURE AND TEMPERATURE

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE SOIL PROFILE IN TERMS OF TOPSOIL, SUBSOIL AND UNDERLYING MATERIALS
(B) DESCRIBE SOIL TEXTURE IN TERMS OF DIFFERENT SIZES OF SOIL PARTICLES, SAND, SILT AND
CLAY
(C) UNDERSTAND SOIL STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE IMPORTANCE OF FORMING AND
MAINTAINING A GOOD CRUMB STRUCTURE, THE EFFECTS OF HUMUS AND MAINTENANCE
OF ORGANIC MATTER IN THE SOIL, OXIDATION OF ORGANIC MATTER AND THE LOSS OF SOIL
STRUCTURE CAUSING CAPPING AND SOIL PANS
(D) DESCRIBE DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES (SANDY SOILS, LOAM SOILS AND CLAY SOILS) AND THEIR
PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WATERHOLDING CAPACITY AND DRAINAGE
(E) OUTLINE SOIL CONSTITUENTS IN TERMS OF MINERAL MATTER, ORGANIC MATTER, AIR,
WATER (FREE OR GRAVITATIONAL WATER, CAPILLARY AND HYGROSCOPIC WATER) AND
LIVING ORGANISMS (BACTERIA, NEMATODES, FUNGI AND EARTHWORMS)
(F) UNDERSTAND THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL TEMPERATURE ON THE RATE OF PLANT GROWTH,
THE DANGER OF EXCESSIVE HEAT TO YOUNG SEEDLINGS AND THE DANGER OF FROST TO
SOME CROPS, AND THE METHODS OF REDUCING THE EFFECT OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES
BY MULCHING OF SEEDBEDS AND SHADING OF TRANSPLANTED SEEDLINGS.
2.3 SOIL FERTILITY
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
 (A) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING MAJOR NUTRIENTS TO SOIL FERTILITY AND
DESCRIBE THE SIGNS AND EFFECTS OF THEIR DEFICIENCY IN PLANTS: MAJOR NUTRIENTS –
COMPOUNDS OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND
SULFUR
(B) CARRY OUT PRACTICAL SOIL SAMPLING AND TESTS FOR SOIL PH
(C) DESCRIBE THE NITROGEN CYCLE AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO SOIL FERTILITY
(D) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGUMES AND THE USE OF ORGANIC FERTILISERS (MANURE
AND COMPOST) IN MAINTAINING GOOD SOIL STRUCTURE AND FERTILITY
(E) DESCRIBE THE USE OF INORGANIC FERTILISERS (LIMITED TO ONE EXAMPLE EACH OF A
FERTILISER CONTAINING PREDOMINANTLY PHOSPHORUS AND PREDOMINANTLY
POTASSIUM AND ONE EXAMPLE OF A COMPOUND FERTILISER) IN MAINTAINING SOIL
FERTILITY
(F) EXPLAIN HOW FERTILISING PRACTICES AND LIMING CAN AFFECT SOIL PH.
2.4 SOIL EROSION AND SOIL CONSERVATION
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE TYPES OF SOIL EROSION, THEIR CAUSES, AGENTS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL.

2.5 DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE DRAINAGE AS MOVEMENT OF GRAVITATIONAL WATER DOWN THROUGH THE

SOIL AND UNDERSTAND THE DRAINAGE OF WATERLOGGED LAND BY MEANS OF DITCHES
AND THE LOSS OF PLANT NUTRIENTS DUE TO LEACHING
(B) UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF POOR DRAINAGE ON SOIL ORGANISMS AND ROOT
RESPIRATION
(C) EXPLAIN THE NEED FOR IRRIGATION AND DESCRIBE METHODS OF IRRIGATION WITH THE
EFFECTS ON CROP YIELD AND QUALITY (DETAILS OF IRRIGATION PROGRAMMES FOR
INDIVIDUAL CROPS AND OF EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION ARE NOT REQUIRED).
2.6 WATER CYCLE
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE AND UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WATER CYCLE AND GROUND-
WATER RESOURCES.

3 PRINCIPLES OF PLANT GROWTH

3.1 MOVEMENT OF MATERIALS THROUGH PLANTS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION OF ROOT TISSUES AND THE STRUCTURE AND
FUNCTION OF ROOT HAIRS
(B) EXPLAIN THE ABSORPTION OF PLANT REQUIREMENTS FROM THE SOIL, INCLUDING THE
PRINCIPLES OF DIFFUSION, OSMOSIS, THE PASSAGE OF WATER AND DISSOLVED MINERAL
SALTS THROUGH VASCULAR TISSUES
(C) EXPLAIN HOW THE STRUCTURE OF A LEAF IS RELATED TO FUNCTION (CELLULAR DETAIL IS
NOT REQUIRED)
(D) OUTLINE GAS EXCHANGE BY DIFFUSION THROUGH THE STOMATA
(E) DESCRIBE PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN TERMS OF CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER, LIGHT AND
CHLOROPHYLL LEADING TO THE SYNTHESIS OF CARBOHYDRATES AND THE PRODUCTION OF
OXYGEN
 (F) DESCRIBE THE DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION OF TISSUES IN A STEM (DICOTYLEDON ONLY)
(G) DEFINE THE TERM TRANSLOCATION AS THE MOVEMENT OF SYNTHESISED FOOD TO
STORAGE ORGANS AND EXPLAIN THE PRINCIPLES OF MODIFICATION OF DIFFERENT PARTS
OF PLANTS TO FORM FOOD STORAGE ORGANS AND THE TYPES OF FOOD MATERIALS
STORED
(H) EXPLAIN TRANSPIRATION IN TERMS OF THE TRANSPIRATION STREAM, LOSS OF WATER BY
EVAPORATION AND DIFFUSION OF WATER VAPOUR THROUGH STOMATA
(I) DESCRIBE THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, WIND AND LIGHT INTENSITY ON THE
RATE OF TRANSPIRATION.
3.2 REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DEFINE THE TERM SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

(B) DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE FLOWERS OF A MAIZE PLANT AND OF A
BEAN PLANT
(C) DEFINE THE TERM POLLINATION
(D) DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF FERTILISATION IN A NAMED PLANT
(E) DESCRIBE HOW SEEDS AND FRUITS ARE DISPERSED AND EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF
DISPERSAL IN RELATION TO WEED CONTROL
(F) DESCRIBE ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION FROM STEM TUBERS (E.G. IRISH POTATO AND YAM)
AND FROM STEM CUTTINGS (E.G. SWEET POTATO, CASSAVA AND SUGAR CANE).
3.3 GERMINATION
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE SEED STRUCTURE AND THE GERMINATION OF MAIZE AND BEAN (OR OTHER
LEGUME) AND UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR GERMINATION.

4 CROP PRODUCTION
4.1 LAND PREPARATION
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE LAND PREPARATION BY STUMPING AND CLEARING AND SOIL PREPARATION BY
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CULTIVATIONS BY HAND OR MACHINE (E.G. PLOUGHING OR
DIGGING, HARROWING OR RAKING).
4.2 CULTIVATION OF CASH CROPS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) NAME THE MAIN TYPES OF CROP FOUND LOCALLY (LEGUMES, ROOTS AND TUBERS, EDIBLE
FRUITS AND CEREALS) AND THEIR PRODUCTS
(B) DESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE CULTIVATION OF ONE CROP OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE IN RELATION
TO:
• SOIL AND CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS
• SOIL PREPARATION
• SOWING OR PLANTING TIME AND METHOD
• CHOICE OF SUITABLE CULTIVARS
• SEED RATE AND SPACING
• RATES OF APPLICATION OF FERTILISER AND MANURE
• PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COMMON PESTS, WEEDS AND DISEASES
• RECOGNITION OF CROP MATURITY
• HARVESTING, YIELD AND STORAGE
• RECORD KEEPING (INCLUDING A DIARY OF EVENTS AND PRODUCTION).
5 CROP PROTECTION
5.1 WEED CONTROL
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) IDENTIFY ONE NAMED LOCAL WEED SPECIES OF A CROP AND DESCRIBE ITS HARMFUL
EFFECTS AND THE MODE OF SPREAD
• EXPLAIN METHODS OF WEED CONTROL INCLUDING CULTURAL, MECHANICAL AND
CHEMICAL METHODS.

5.2 PEST CONTROL

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE LIFE CYCLE, EFFECT AND METHOD OF SPREAD OF ONE PEST FROM EACH OF
THE FOLLOWING:
• BITING AND CHEWING PESTS (E.G. GRASSHOPPERS, LOCUSTS, TERMITES, LEAF
MINERS AND BEETLES)
• PIERCING AND SUCKING PESTS (E.G. APHIDS, BAGRADA BUGS, MEALY BUGS AND
SCALE INSECTS)
• BORING PESTS (E.G. WEEVILS, STALK BORER AND AMERICAN BOLLWORM
(HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA))
(B) NAME AND DESCRIBE THE MODE OF ACTION OF CHEMICAL CONTROLS FOR PESTS
INCLUDING CONTACT PESTICIDES AND SYSTEMIC PESTICIDES AND UNDERSTAND THE
APPROPRIATE USE OF THESE PESTICIDES IN CONTROLLING PESTS IN THE GROUPS LISTED
ABOVE
(C) DESCRIBE BIOLOGICAL AND BIOTECHNICAL METHODS OF CONTROLLING PESTS
(D) DESCRIBE METHODS OF CULTURAL PEST CONTROL INCLUDING ROTATION AND CATCH
CROPPING.
5.3 DISEASE CONTROL
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE MODE OF INFECTION, HARMFUL EFFECTS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF
ONE NAMED PLANT DISEASE FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:
• BACTERIAL DISEASES
• FUNGAL DISEASES
• VIRAL DISEASES.
5.4 THE USE OF FARM CHEMICALS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE AND METHODS OF SAFE HANDLING OF FARM CHEMICALS,
INCLUDING THE USE OF SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, CORRECT
DILUTION AND MIXING, PRECAUTIONS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER APPLICATION AND
AVOIDANCE OF POLLUTION WHEN CLEANING SPRAYING EQUIPMENT
(B) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE STORAGE OF FARM CHEMICALS TO INCLUDE
CHEMICALS THAT ARE TOXIC, (E.G. HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES AND FLAMMABLE, E.G.
FUELS).

6 LIVESTOCK ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

6.1 DIGESTION IN RUMINANTS AND NON-RUMINANTS
NOTE
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RUMINANT AND NON-RUMINANT DIGESTION SHOULD BE DISCUSSED
GENERALLY BUT CAN BE

ILLUSTRATED USING RELEVANT EXAMPLES FROM LOCAL AGRICULTURE. EXAMPLES OF RUMINANTS

INCLUDE SHEEP, COWS AND

GOATS. EXAMPLES OF NON-RUMINANTS INCLUDE PIGS AND POULTRY.

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF A RUMINANT AND
A NON-RUMINANT
(B) DESCRIBE THE PROCESSES OF DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION IN THE ALIMENTARY CANALS OF
A RUMINANT AND A NON-RUMINANT (REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC ENZYMES IS NOT
REQUIRED).

6.2 SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN MAMMALS

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS (MALE AND FEMALE) OF A NAMED MAMMALIAN
FARM ANIMAL
(B) DESCRIBE THE PROCESSES OF FERTILISATION AND BIRTH IN A NAMED MAMMALIAN FARM
ANIMAL
(C) DEFINE THE TERMS WEANING AND LACTATION AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF
COLOSTRUM.

7 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND HEALTH

STUDY OF ONE RUMINANT AND ONE NON-RUMINANT ANIMAL WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO:

7.1 LIVESTOCK HOUSING

CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE SUITABLE HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS FOR LIVESTOCK

(B) DESCRIBE THE CARE AND REARING OF YOUNG STOCK.
7.2 LIVESTOCK NUTRITION
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (INCLUDING FOOD MATERIALS, THEIR

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT AND SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY) AND FEEDING PRACTICES (INCLUDING
THE IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED RATION SUITED TO THE AGE AND THE STAGE OF
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIVESTOCK)
(B) OUTLINE THE MEANING OF THE TERMS MAINTENANCE RATION AND PRODUCTION RATION
(C) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADEQUATE, CLEAN WATER SUPPLY
(D) DEMONSTRATE STOCKMANSHIP, INCLUDING CARE IN THE HANDLING OF ANIMALS, RECORD
KEEPING, INCLUDING A DIARY OF EVENTS AND PRODUCTION RECORDS.
7.3 LIVESTOCK HEALTH
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) RECOGNISE THE SIGNS OF HEALTH AND OF ILL-HEALTH IN LIVESTOCK

(B) EXPLAIN THE WAYS IN WHICH INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ARE SPREAD
(C) EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PARASITES
(D) EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERMS NOTIFIABLE/SCHEDULED DISEASES
 (E) EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVESTOCK HYGIENE AND THE ISOLATION OF SICK ANIMALS

8 PASTURE MANAGEMENT
8.1 EXTENSIVE AND INTENSIVE PASTURE MANAGEMENT
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE VEGETATION OF GRAZING LANDS, INCLUDING GRASSES AND LEGUMES FOR
GRAZING AND BUSH FOR BROWSING
(B) DESCRIBE HOW IMPROVED PASTURES CAN BE ESTABLISHED
(C) EXPLAIN WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERMS ROTATIONAL GRAZING, PADDOCK AND ZERO
GRAZING, UNENCLOSED AND ENCLOSED GRAZING SYSTEMS AND INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE
GRAZING
(D) DESCRIBE EXTENSIVE MANAGEMENT METHODS, INCLUDING THE IMPORTANCE OF
STOCKING RATES, CARRYING CAPACITY AND THE DANGERS OF OVERSTOCKING, BUSH
CONTROL AND THE USE AND MISUSE OF FIRE
(E) EXPLAIN HOW PASTURE UTILISATION CAN BE IMPROVED BY FENCING AND ROTATIONAL
GRAZING.

9 LIVESTOCK AND CROP BREEDING

9.1 MONOHYBRID INHERITANCE
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DEFINE THE TERMS CHROMOSOME, GENE, ALLELE, HOMOZYGOUS, HETEROZYGOUS,

DOMINANT AND RECESSIVE
(B) CALCULATE AND PREDICT THE RESULTS OF SIMPLE GENETIC CROSSES INVOLVING 1:1 AND
3:1 RATIOS
(C) EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE TERMS GENOTYPE AND PHENOTYPE AND ASSESS THEIR
IMPORTANCE IN ANIMAL AND PLANT BREEDING.
9.2 SELECTIVE BREEDING IN ANIMALS AND PLANTS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE HOW BREEDING CAN IMPROVE YIELD, DISEASE RESISTANCE, HARDINESS AND
APPEARANCE IN LIVESTOCK AND IN CROPS
(B) UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL SELECTION IN THE PRODUCTION OF IMPROVED
VARIETIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
(C) UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
(D) UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SELECTIVE CROP BREEDING AND GENETICALLY
MODIFIED (GM) CROPS

10 FARM STRUCTURES AND TOOLS

10.1 FENCING
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE TREATMENT OF FENCING POSTS, METHODS OF FENCE CONSTRUCTION, TYPES
OF FENCE SUITABLE FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES, THE USE OF HEDGES AND WINDBREAKS.
10.2 FARM BUILDINGS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
 (A) OUTLINE THE PROPERTIES AND USES OF WOOD, CONCRETE BLOCKS, METAL, STONE, BRICK,
EARTH AND THATCH IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FARM BUILDINGS.
10.3 FARM WATER SUPPLIES
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) LIST SUITABLE SOURCES OF WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, FOR LIVESTOCK AND FOR
IRRIGATION
(B) OUTLINE METHODS OF WATER TREATMENT BY SETTLING AND FILTRATION
(C) OUTLINE SUITABLE METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE DAMS TO RESIST WATER
PRESSURE, WHICH INCREASES WITH DEPTH
(D) DESCRIBE THE USE OF STORAGE TANKS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER THROUGH PIPE
SYSTEMS AND SIMPLE PLUMBING, SUFFICIENT FOR MAINTAINING A PLASTIC PIPE SYSTEM,
INCLUDING PIPE-JOINING AND FITTING OF TAP WASHERS.
10.4 FARM TOOLS
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) DESCRIBE THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF SAW, HAMMER, SCREWDRIVER, FILE, SPANNER,
SPRAYERS AND HAND TOOLS FOR CULTIVATION.
10.5 FARM MACHINERY
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

(A) EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FARM MECHANISATION

(B) DESCRIBE THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF MOULD-BOARD PLOUGH, CULTIVATOR,
HARROW, PLANTER AND RIDGER (EITHER OX- OR DONKEY- OR TRACTOR-DRAWN).