NCEA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90160) 2010 — page 1 of 4
Assessment Schedule – 2010
Agricultural and Horticultural Science: Describe the environmental impact of primary production
management practices (90160)
Evidence Statement
Achievement
Achievement
with Merit
Describes the positive and
negative impact of BOTH the
use of a biological control and
spraying chemical pesticides on
the environment.
Explains the positive and
negative impact of BOTH the
use of a biological control and
spraying chemical pesticides on
the environment.
Example:
Example:
A biological control involves
using a natural predator to prey
on a pest. This does not pollute
the environment, as it only
affects the target organism.
A biological control involves
using a natural predator to prey
on a pest. This does not pollute
the environment, as it only
affects the target organism.
This method of control can
effectively reduce pest numbers
without harming the
environment with excessive
amounts of toxic chemicals.
Question
Achievement
with Excellence
ONE
(a)
Spraying pesticides can quickly
reduce a pest or disease
problem, but may lead to
pollution of water and soil.
A
Spraying pesticides can quickly
reduce a pest or disease
problem, but may lead to
pollution of water and soil
through leaching of the soil, or
through spray drift, if the
incorrect amounts are used or
applied in windy conditions.
M
(b)
Describes the impact of the
selected management practice
on the environment in terms of
either effectiveness, ease of use
or long-term effects.
Explains the impact of the
selected management practice
on the environment in terms of
either effectiveness, ease of use
or long-term effects.
Justifies the choice of the
selected management practice
by comparing the effectiveness,
ease of use and long-term
control of the pest.
Example:
Example:
Example:
Biological controls are used to
prey on pests. This relies on the
pest being present (if in reduced
numbers). The resulting fewer
pests will still affect the crop, but
not as much as if there was no
biological control.
Biological controls are used to
prey on pests. This relies on the
pest being present (if in reduced
numbers), so that the control
can either feed on the pest or
lay its eggs in it. There will
always be some pests when
only using biological controls,
which will still affect the crop,
reducing the yield of marketable
produce.
Biological controls are used to
prey on pests. This relies on the
pest being present (if in reduced
numbers), so that the control
can either feed on the pest or
lay its eggs in it. There will
always be some pests when
only using biological controls,
which will still affect the crop,
reducing the yield of marketable
produce.
A
M
However, this is still a better
option than chemical sprays, as
it cannot cause negative effects
on the environment, because it
uses only naturally occurring
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90160) 2010 — page 2 of 4
organisms. Once the predators
are established, they can largely
look after themselves and do
not require regular attention by
the grower. This makes them
relatively easy to use, and they
provide a long-term solution for
controlling pests.
E
Question
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
Achievement
with Excellence
TWO
Describes a management
practice that would reduce the
negative impact of crop stubble
burning on the environment.
Explains a management
practice that would reduce the
negative impact of crop stubble
burning on the environment.
Example:
Example:
Minimum tillage could be used.
This involves sowing the next
crop through the residue of the
previous crop.
Minimum tillage could be used.
This involves sowing the next
crop through the residue of the
previous crop. The crop stubble
acts as a blanket, protecting the
ground from erosion and
reducing evaporation. There is
obviously no air pollution from
smoke using minimum tillage.
A
M
Justifies the use of a
management practice that
would reduce the negative
impact of crop stubble burning
on the environment.
Example:
Minimum tillage could be used.
This involves sowing the next
crop through the residue of the
previous crop. The crop stubble
acts as a blanket, protecting the
ground from erosion and
reducing evaporation. This will
allow the new crop to germinate
successfully and reduce the
initial reliance on irrigation.
Minimum tillage is a better
management practice than
burning crop stubble, because it
will reduce air pollution and soil
erosion. Also, the soil structure
will remain strong, due to
minimum disturbance.
E
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90160) 2010 — page 3 of 4
Question
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
Achievement
with Excellence
THREE
(a)
Describes the impact of
spraying effluent and using
settling ponds on the
environment.
Explains the impact of spraying
effluent and using settling ponds
on the environment.
Example:
Spraying effluent onto paddocks
allows the nutrients to be used
as a natural fertiliser. The
nutrients will not be washed
away, which reduces the need
for fertiliser application. This
reduces the nutrient loading on
the waterways and prevents
excessive algal growth.
Spraying effluent onto paddocks
allows the nutrients to be used
as a natural fertiliser. The
nutrients will not be washed
away to pollute waterways.
Using settling ponds results in a
heavy sludge that can be used
as a natural fertiliser instead of
applying artificial fertilisers.
A
Example:
Using settling ponds allows the
heavy sludge to be used as a
natural fertiliser, which reduces
dependence on artificial
fertilisers. Sunlight acts as a
disinfectant that can kill
pathogenic organisms, resulting
in runoff that is relatively safe to
allow into local waterways.
M
(b)
Describes the impact of
spraying effluent and using
settling ponds on the
environment.
Explains the impact of spraying
effluent and using settling ponds
on the environment.
Example:
Spraying effluent onto paddocks
allows the nutrients to be used
as a natural fertiliser. The
nutrients will not be washed
away, which reduces the need
for fertiliser application. This
reduces the nutrient loading on
the waterways and prevents
excessive algal growth.
Spraying effluent onto paddocks
allows the nutrients to be used
as a natural fertiliser. The
nutrients will not be washed
away to pollute waterways.
Using settling ponds results in a
heavy sludge that can be used
as a natural fertiliser instead of
applying artificial fertilisers.
A
Replacement evidence for 3(a)
if required.
Example:
Using settling ponds allows the
heavy sludge to be used as a
fertiliser. This reduces
dependence on artificial
fertilisers. Sunlight acts as a
disinfectant that can kill
pathogenic organisms, resulting
in runoff that is relatively safe to
allow into local waterways.
M
Replacement evidence for 3(a)
if required.
Justifies the use of a
management practice that
would reduce the negative
impact of effluent disposal on
the environment.
Example:
Using settling ponds is the best
management practice, as it
allows the material to be used
for fertiliser without fear of
contamination of local
waterways. The effluent is
simply pumped from the dairy
shed to the ponds, and from
there it is mechanically pushed
by water wheels through the
pond system and trickles out
into a planted area before it
reaches a local waterway. This
ensures that few nutrients reach
the waterway and is relatively
pathogen-free. Although it takes
up land, the long-term benefits
outweigh the slight loss of any
productive area.
It is a better method than
spraying onto a paddock, as the
nutrients and pathogens may be
either leached or run off into
waterways, depending on soil
NCEA Level 1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (90160) 2010 — page 4 of 4
type and weather. Also, a
paddock cannot be grazed for
10 days after it has been
sprayed, which restricts
production.
E
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
2A
2M
1M
1E