LEA Mock Test: Horticulture Questions For Today

1. Which Philippine agency is primarily responsible for research and development of high-value horticultural crops and for coordinating national horticulture research programs?

• a) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
• b) Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office
• c) Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
• d) Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)

2. Which of the following is the most appropriate method for rapid clonal propagation of disease-free planting material of ornamentals and some fruit crops?

• a) Grafting
• b) Micropropagation (tissue culture)
• c) Air layering
• d) Seed propagation

3. Which postharvest practice most effectively reduces respiration rate and delays senescence of climacteric fruits during storage?

• a) Drying at high temperature
• b) Bruising to hasten ethylene release
• c) Low-temperature storage (cold storage)
• d) Exposing to sunlight

4. Which of the following is the common vegetative propagation method for banana (Musa spp.) production?

• a) Suckers (pups) or ratoons
• b) Seed sowing
• c) Grafting on rootstocks
• d) Micro-cuttings

5. For minimizing postharvest losses in mangoes intended for export, which of the following treatments is commonly recommended to control fruit fly infestation?

• a) Hot water immersion at 60°C for 5 minutes
• b) Hot water treatment (HWT) at 46–48°C for 60–90 minutes
• c) Sun drying for 3 hours
• d) Application of systemic herbicide

6. Which nutrient deficiency in fruit trees typically causes interveinal chlorosis of young leaves and reduced fruit set?

• a) Potassium deficiency
• b) Boron toxicity
• c) Manganese excess
• d) Iron deficiency

7. Which pruning practice is primarily used to open the canopy and improve light penetration and air circulation in fruit orchards?

• a) Thinning cuts and selective branch removal
• b) Coppicing at ground level
• c) Topiary shaping for aesthetics
• d) Continuous hedging

8. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of apples principally modifies which of the following to extend storage life?

• a) Light intensity only
• b) Relative humidity only
• c) Oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature
• d) Soil moisture

9. Which of the following floral crops is commonly produced by bulb propagation and is known for forcing under controlled conditions?

• a) Chrysanthemum
• b) Tulip
• c) Rose (from cuttings)
• d) Anthurium

10. Which integrated approach is MOST appropriate to manage bacterial leaf spot in peppers while reducing chemical use?

• a) Frequent foliar application of broad-spectrum fungicides only
• b) Only crop rotation without sanitation
• c) Sanitation, use of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and targeted bactericides
• d) Continuous overhead irrigation to wash leaves

11. Which mango variety is widely recognized in the Philippines for its superior eating quality and export potential?

• a) Carabao (Manila super)
• b) Tommy Atkins
• c) Alphonso
• d) Keitt

12. What is the primary purpose of rootstock selection in fruit tree grafting?

• a) Only to increase fruit size
• b) To impart disease resistance, control vigor, and adapt to soil conditions
• c) To change fruit color
• d) To change the species of the scion

13. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of chilling injury in tropical fruits stored at low but non-freezing temperatures?

• a) Surface pitting
• b) Internal browning
• c) Enhanced disease resistance
• d) Failure to ripen normally

14. Which cultivation practice is most effective in conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds in vegetable beds?

• a) Frequent tillage
• b) Plastic or organic mulching
• c) Flooding the field
• d) Removing crop residues

15. In protected cultivation (greenhouse) of tomatoes, which factor is most critical to manage to prevent outbreak of powdery mildew?

• a) High nitrogen fertilization only
• b) Excessive humidity and poor air circulation
• c) Low soil pH
• d) Sunlight intensity

16. Which of these is the correct definition of “physiological maturity” for harvesting most fruits?

• a) When fruit reaches maximum size regardless of internal quality
• b) When fruit has completed growth and has attained peak physiological development for ripening
• c) When leaves begin to yellow
• d) When the fruit falls naturally

17. Which insect is the primary vector of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) in solanaceous crops under field conditions?

• a) Aphids
• b) Beetles
• c) Thrips
• d) There is no single primary insect vector; spread is mainly through contaminated soil, water, tools, and infected transplants

18. Which postharvest index is commonly used to determine harvest maturity of citrus fruits for market?

• a) Soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA)
• b) Chlorophyll meter reading only
• c) Fruit firmness only
• d) Leaf color

19. Which of the following is a benefit of adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in horticulture?

• a) Ensures higher pesticide residues for pest control
• b) Improves food safety, market access, and environmental sustainability
• c) Guarantees zero postharvest losses
• d) Exempts farms from record keeping

20. Which disease management strategy is best for viral diseases in vegetatively propagated crops such as banana and sweet potato?

• a) Use of certified virus-free planting material and rogueing of infected plants
• b) Heavy application of systemic fungicides
• c) Relying on insecticides only
• d) Flooding the field

21. Which spice crop’s propagation and cultivation is closely associated with shaded, humid agroforestry systems in the tropics?

• a) Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
• b) Cumin
• c) Saffron
• d) Oregano

22. Which of the following is the advantage of using drip irrigation in high-value vegetable production?

• a) High water use, high runoff
• b) Uniform water and nutrient delivery to the root zone, reduced foliar diseases
• c) Requires no maintenance
• d) Increases weed growth between rows

23. Which harvest technique reduces mechanical injury in tomatoes destined for fresh market?

• a) Mechanical shaking
• b) Harvest by hand with gentle cutting of pedicel
• c) Dropping fruit into containers from height
• d) Harvesting roots instead

24. Which postharvest treatment is commonly used to delay ripening of bananas for export?

• a) Ethylene application
• b) Refrigerated storage at 13–15°C (temperature management)
• c) Leaving fruit at ambient tropical temperatures
• d) Sun-drying

25. Which of the following is a reliable field test to determine seed viability before sowing?

• a) Tetrazolium test and germination test
• b) Visual color only
• c) Measuring seed weight only
• d) Taste test

26. Which of the following vegetables benefits most from calcium application to prevent physiological disorders like tip burn?

• a) Lettuce and leafy brassicas
• b) Onion only
• c) Root crops exclusively
• d) Cucurbits only

27. Which of the following landscape design principles deals with balancing visual weight on both sides of an axis?

• a) Unity
• b) Symmetry and balance
• c) Repetition only
• d) Contrast exclusively

28. Which fungal disease is commonly associated with high humidity and causes leaf blight in onion and garlic?

• a) Downy mildew
• b) Late blight
• c) Powdery mildew
• d) Clubroot

29. For smallholder fruit producers, which marketing strategy often improves price realization and bargaining power?

• a) Selling individually to itinerant buyers only
• b) Forming cooperatives or producer groups for collective marketing
• c) Discarding quality standards
• d) Avoiding records of production

30. Which physiological disorder in apples is associated with calcium deficiency and appears as browning of the flesh?

• a) Bitter pit
• b) Blossom end rot
• c) Blackheart
• d) Sunscald

31. Which propagation method is preferred for establishing uniform quality garlic planting material in vegetable seed systems?

• a) Single clove planting from selected healthy bulbs
• b) Seed sowing (true seed)
• c) Tissue culture only
• d) Grafting

32. Which of the following is an appropriate method to reduce postharvest fungal decay in cut flowers?

• a) Use of clean water in holding solutions, pulse treatments with biocides, and cold chain maintenance
• b) Holding stems in direct sunlight
• c) Leaving flowers in the field overnight
• d) Applying excess nitrogen preharvest

33. Which soil test result would most likely indicate the need to apply lime for fruit tree orchards?

• a) Very high soil pH (>8.5)
• b) Low soil pH (<5.5) with low available calcium and magnesium
• c) High organic matter and neutral pH
• d) Extremely saline soil

34. Which vegetable crop is commonly used in crop rotation to reduce nematode populations due to its poor host status?

• a) Marigold (Tagetes spp.) as a rotation or biofumigant crop
• b) Tomato (susceptible host)
• c) Potato (susceptible host)
• d) Eggplant (susceptible host)

35. In pineapple production, what planting material is commonly used for vegetative propagation by smallholders?

• a) Seedlings from true seed
• b) Crowns, slips, and suckers
• c) Tissue-cultured plantlets only
• d) Grafted composites

36. Which method is commonly used to break seed dormancy in certain ornamental species prior to sowing?

• a) Stratification (cold treatment) or scarification depending on dormancy type
• b) Exposing seeds to direct flame
• c) Storing seeds in water for months
• d) Planting at high altitude only

37. Which weed management practice in orchards reduces herbicide dependence and conserves soil structure?

• a) Mulching and mechanical mowing under tree rows
• b) Continuous deep plowing between tree rows
• c) Burning crop residues regularly
• d) Flood irrigation to remove weeds

38. Which virus causes severe mosaic and yield loss in papaya and is managed primarily by using resistant varieties and rouging?

• a) Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)
• b) Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)
• c) Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)
• d) Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV)

39. In fruit packinghouses, which practice helps reduce physical damage and maintain quality during transport?

• a) Overfilling cartons to save space
• b) Use of cushioning materials, correct stacking, and proper crate design
• c) Leaving fruit ungraded
• d) Exposing fruit to high temperatures before loading

40. Which fruit pest is a major concern in mango production and is commonly monitored with pheromone traps?

• a) Mango seed weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae)
• b) Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)
• c) Mango hopper (Idioscopus spp.)
• d) Fruit borer (various Lepidoptera)

41. Which horticultural practice is most effective to induce flowering in species that respond to plant growth regulators?

• a) Application of appropriate concentrations of gibberellins, cytokinins, or ethylene inhibitors depending on crop
• b) Heavy nitrogen application only
• c) Continuous shade without management
• d) Waterlogging the root zone

42. Which method is commonly applied for rapid postharvest disinfestation of citrus for quarantine purposes?

• a) Hot water dip or vapor heat treatments designed to meet quarantine regulations
• b) Storing at room temperature
• c) Spraying with sugary solution
• d) Freezing fruit

43. Which of the following describes “double cropping” in vegetable production?

• a) Growing the same crop twice a year on the same land when climate allows
• b) Growing two different crops simultaneously in the same row
• c) Planting two varieties in the same bed for genetic mixing
• d) Planting only once every two years

44. Which postharvest factor is most responsible for microbial spoilage of fresh-cut vegetables?

• a) Low initial microbial load and sanitation issues during processing
• b) High sugar content only
• c) Low humidity only
• d) Presence of stones in soil

45. Which training system is commonly used to manage vigorous mango trees for easier harvesting and spray penetration?

• a) Open center or modified open center systems with height control
• b) Allow trees to grow without pruning
• c) Planting trees too densely
• d) Continuous topping to stubby form

46. Which of the following is the major quality attribute measured by refractometer in fruits?

• a) Fruit firmness
• b) Soluble solids content (°Brix)
• c) Titratable acidity only
• d) Vitamin C content

47. Which physiological process is primarily responsible for the climacteric rise in fruits such as banana and mango?

• a) Photosynthesis increase
• b) Sudden increase in ethylene production and respiration
• c) Decrease in respiration
• d) Rapid lignification

48. Which of the following is the best practice to reduce postharvest water loss in leafy vegetables during transport?

• a) Pack leaves loosely in dry cartons
• b) Use of polyethylene liners, humidified storage, and precooling
• c) Leave them in direct sun
• d) Salt the leaves before packing

49. Which of the following is an example of a high-value niche horticultural product that can increase smallholder income when linked to markets?

• a) Specialty culinary herbs (e.g., basil, rosemary)
• b) Bulk low-value fodder grass
• c) Raw timber logs
• d) Unprocessed municipal waste

50. Which postharvest technology is widely used to reduce chilling injury and maintain quality of tropical fruits destined for long-distance transport?

• a) Controlled atmosphere, temperature management, and preconditioning
• b) Leaving fruit at ambient tropical temperatures
• c) High-intensity UV exposure
• d) Immediate sun-drying