The Grade 11 Agricultural Sciences CAPS syllabus in South Africa follows the annual teaching plan with basic agricultural chemistry, soil science, plant nutrition and reproduction, optimal resource utilisation and related practical investigations across Terms 1-4. Use the term topics below with Grade 11 Agricultural Sciences past papers for exam preparation.
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: SBA: Task 1 Practical investigation/research task (25% of Term 1). Task 2 Test (100 marks) (75% of Term 1).
Terminology: matter, atom, molecules, periodic table and isotopes; differences between elements, compounds and mixtures; basic interpretation of the periodic table; difference between acids and bases; general structure of an atom; particles and charges; atomic number and particles in the nucleus; formation of ions; electron arrangement and valency.
Basic chemical bonding to form molecules. Covalent bonding (hydrogen gas, water, etc.) and ionic bonding (copper chloride, sodium chloride, etc.) with structural formulae.
Distinction between inorganic and organic compounds with examples; chemical and structural formulae; Lewis structures; importance and functions of water, carbon dioxide, mineral salts (e.g. sodium chloride/table salt) and ammonia.
Characteristics of the carbon atom and organic substances; basic grouping of organic compounds. Basic alkanes (not more than 5 carbon atoms) with chemical and structural formulae; importance in plant and animal metabolism; isomers illustrated by simple alkanes. Alcohols (structures and importance) with reference to methanol and ethanol; comparison between alcohols and alkanes using general structural formulae.
Chemical structure of a simple fatty acid; saturated vs unsaturated fatty acids (structures and importance); differences between fatty acids and alcohols by structural formulae; bio-molecules; basic composition of a simple lipid/fat; differences between fats and oils and between saturated and unsaturated fats; main functions/importance of lipids/fats in living organisms.
General structure of protein monomers (amino acids); differences between simple and complex proteins (including essential and non-essential amino acids); general structure of polypeptides/simple proteins; synthesis and hydrolysis of proteins; main functions/importance of proteins in living organisms.
Basic chemical composition and general formulae of carbohydrates; structural and chemical formulae of monosaccharides; classifications (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides) with relevant examples; main functions of carbohydrates in living organisms.
Soil texture; groupings of soil particles (clay, silt, sand) and diameters; scientific method to determine quantities in a soil sample; determine textural classes of soil. Soil structure; soil colour and soil pores (as listed in ATP).
Revision and test (as listed in ATP).
Terminology: matter, atom, molecules, periodic table and isotopes; differences between elements, compounds and mixtures; basic interpretation of the periodic table; difference between acids and bases; general structure of an atom; particles and charges; atomic number and particles in the nucleus; formation of ions; electron arrangement and valency.
Basic chemical bonding to form molecules. Covalent bonding (hydrogen gas, water, etc.) and ionic bonding (copper chloride, sodium chloride, etc.) with structural formulae.
Distinction between inorganic and organic compounds with examples; chemical and structural formulae; Lewis structures; importance and functions of water, carbon dioxide, mineral salts (e.g. sodium chloride/table salt) and ammonia.
Characteristics of the carbon atom and organic substances; basic grouping of organic compounds. Basic alkanes (not more than 5 carbon atoms) with chemical and structural formulae; importance in plant and animal metabolism; isomers illustrated by simple alkanes. Alcohols (structures and importance) with reference to methanol and ethanol; comparison between alcohols and alkanes using general structural formulae.
Chemical structure of a simple fatty acid; saturated vs unsaturated fatty acids (structures and importance); differences between fatty acids and alcohols by structural formulae; bio-molecules; basic composition of a simple lipid/fat; differences between fats and oils and between saturated and unsaturated fats; main functions/importance of lipids/fats in living organisms.
General structure of protein monomers (amino acids); differences between simple and complex proteins (including essential and non-essential amino acids); general structure of polypeptides/simple proteins; synthesis and hydrolysis of proteins; main functions/importance of proteins in living organisms.
Basic chemical composition and general formulae of carbohydrates; structural and chemical formulae of monosaccharides; classifications (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides) with relevant examples; main functions of carbohydrates in living organisms.
Soil texture; groupings of soil particles (clay, silt, sand) and diameters; scientific method to determine quantities in a soil sample; determine textural classes of soil. Soil structure; soil colour and soil pores (as listed in ATP).
Revision and test (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: SBA: Task 3 June examination (100% of Term 2 mark).
Factors influencing storage and movement of soil air; comparison of atmospheric and soil air (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide). Importance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in soil.
Types of soil water and characteristics; soil water losses and how to limit losses; forces affecting soil water; movements of water through soil; availability to plants at saturation point, field water capacity, temporary wilting point and permanent wilting point. Scientific methods related to capillary and gravitational movement; effective soil water management.
Factors influencing soil temperature; scientific approach to measure effects; effects of soil temperature on physical, chemical and biological processes; methods to manipulate soil temperature for better production (cultivation methods and controlled environment).
Soil profile, soil horizon and profile hole; master horizons (O, A, E, B, G, C, R) with schematic soil profile; profiles of adult, young, wet/waterlogged and eroded soils; practical identification of topsoil and subsoil horizons. Soil classification and binomial soil classification system in South Africa; procedures to identify/classify; reasons/value; diagnostic horizons of topsoil and subsoil.
Inorganic soil colloids and characteristics; differences between inorganic and organic colloids; cation adsorption and exchange; manipulation of cations; pH scale and hydrogen ion concentration; soil acidity (predominant cations), active vs reserve acidity; factors causing soil acidification; effects on crop production; methods to prevent/control soil acidification; exchange reaction during reclamation.
Soil alkalinity (predominant cations); differences between saline and sodic soils; characteristics of saline/white brack soils; causes of brackishness/alkalinity/saltiness; effects on crop productivity; methods to prevent/control alkalinity; reclamation procedures.
Soil micro- and macro-organisms with examples; groups of micro-organisms; importance and roles; requirements; carbon and nitrogen cycles; symbiosis (mycorrhiza and rhizobium). Processes: ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, nitrogen assimilation, solubilisation, immobilization and mineralisation. Definitions: fresh organic matter and humus; physical/chemical/biological effects; balance of gains/losses; decline in organic matter and soil degradation.
Revision and catch-up, and a Term 2 test (100 marks) (as listed in ATP).
Factors influencing storage and movement of soil air; comparison of atmospheric and soil air (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide). Importance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in soil.
Types of soil water and characteristics; soil water losses and how to limit losses; forces affecting soil water; movements of water through soil; availability to plants at saturation point, field water capacity, temporary wilting point and permanent wilting point. Scientific methods related to capillary and gravitational movement; effective soil water management.
Factors influencing soil temperature; scientific approach to measure effects; effects of soil temperature on physical, chemical and biological processes; methods to manipulate soil temperature for better production (cultivation methods and controlled environment).
Soil profile, soil horizon and profile hole; master horizons (O, A, E, B, G, C, R) with schematic soil profile; profiles of adult, young, wet/waterlogged and eroded soils; practical identification of topsoil and subsoil horizons. Soil classification and binomial soil classification system in South Africa; procedures to identify/classify; reasons/value; diagnostic horizons of topsoil and subsoil.
Inorganic soil colloids and characteristics; differences between inorganic and organic colloids; cation adsorption and exchange; manipulation of cations; pH scale and hydrogen ion concentration; soil acidity (predominant cations), active vs reserve acidity; factors causing soil acidification; effects on crop production; methods to prevent/control soil acidification; exchange reaction during reclamation.
Soil alkalinity (predominant cations); differences between saline and sodic soils; characteristics of saline/white brack soils; causes of brackishness/alkalinity/saltiness; effects on crop productivity; methods to prevent/control alkalinity; reclamation procedures.
Soil micro- and macro-organisms with examples; groups of micro-organisms; importance and roles; requirements; carbon and nitrogen cycles; symbiosis (mycorrhiza and rhizobium). Processes: ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, nitrogen assimilation, solubilisation, immobilization and mineralisation. Definitions: fresh organic matter and humus; physical/chemical/biological effects; balance of gains/losses; decline in organic matter and soil degradation.
Revision and catch-up, and a Term 2 test (100 marks) (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-11
Assessment: SBA: Task 4 Practical investigation. Task 5 Term test (75-100 marks) (100% of Term 3 mark) (as listed in ATP).
Importance of photosynthesis; food storage and organs used for storage; factors influencing photosynthesis rate and manipulation to increase it. Importance/functions of water; movement of water soil to roots; osmosis vs diffusion; movement roots to stems/leaves and leaf to air; transpiration pull and osmotic flow; adaptations to reduce transpiration; movement of products of photosynthesis (nutrients).
Micro/trace vs macro-elements. Macro-elements (nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and micro-elements (iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, cobalt): importance/functions, absorbed form, deficiency symptoms. Passive ion uptake (diffusion) and active ion uptake (carrier molecules); forms nutrients are available; factors influencing availability (e.g. phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen); importance of nutrient analysis; methods to determine soil nutritional status (soil samples, plant/leaf samples).
Definition of fertiliser; differences between organic and inorganic fertilisers; main nitrogenous, phosphorus and potassium inorganic fertilisers; calculate percentages of nutrients in mixtures; impact of inorganic fertilisers on environment. Calcitic vs dolomitic lime and beneficial effects of liming; use of gypsum. Organic fertilisers: green manure, farm manure, compost; fertilisation practices.
Definition of sexual reproduction; flower parts and functions (stamen, pistil and non-sexual parts such as petals and sepals). Pollination concept; self vs cross pollination; agents of pollination. Structure of pollen grain and receptive stigma; pollen germination to fertilisation; fertilisation and double fertilisation; ovule to seed/fruit. Vegetative vs stimulative parthenocarpy; ablactation concept and factors influencing it.
Fruit setting and seed germination; seed/fruit development from fertilised flower; fruit types by development; germination process; seed dormancy vs scarification; requirements for germination.
Task 5 Test 1 (100% of term mark), Term 3 content only (as listed in ATP).
Importance of photosynthesis; food storage and organs used for storage; factors influencing photosynthesis rate and manipulation to increase it. Importance/functions of water; movement of water soil to roots; osmosis vs diffusion; movement roots to stems/leaves and leaf to air; transpiration pull and osmotic flow; adaptations to reduce transpiration; movement of products of photosynthesis (nutrients).
Micro/trace vs macro-elements. Macro-elements (nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and micro-elements (iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, cobalt): importance/functions, absorbed form, deficiency symptoms. Passive ion uptake (diffusion) and active ion uptake (carrier molecules); forms nutrients are available; factors influencing availability (e.g. phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen); importance of nutrient analysis; methods to determine soil nutritional status (soil samples, plant/leaf samples).
Definition of fertiliser; differences between organic and inorganic fertilisers; main nitrogenous, phosphorus and potassium inorganic fertilisers; calculate percentages of nutrients in mixtures; impact of inorganic fertilisers on environment. Calcitic vs dolomitic lime and beneficial effects of liming; use of gypsum. Organic fertilisers: green manure, farm manure, compost; fertilisation practices.
Definition of sexual reproduction; flower parts and functions (stamen, pistil and non-sexual parts such as petals and sepals). Pollination concept; self vs cross pollination; agents of pollination. Structure of pollen grain and receptive stigma; pollen germination to fertilisation; fertilisation and double fertilisation; ovule to seed/fruit. Vegetative vs stimulative parthenocarpy; ablactation concept and factors influencing it.
Fruit setting and seed germination; seed/fruit development from fertilised flower; fruit types by development; germination process; seed dormancy vs scarification; requirements for germination.
Task 5 Test 1 (100% of term mark), Term 3 content only (as listed in ATP).
Weeks 1-10
Assessment: Revision and examinations. Paper 1 (150, 2.5 hours) and Paper 2 (150, 2.5 hours) with topic lists and cognitive levels (as listed in ATP).
Oculation and grafting; advantages and disadvantages of using asexual reproduction methods to propagate plants. Introduction to biotechnology.
Weed management; plant diseases and control; plant pests and control; integrated pest management (IPM); insect control in stored seeds and grass; general role of the state in plant protection.
Soil surveying and planning; precision farming.
Soil cultivation and crop rotation.
Greenhouse, hydroponics and aquaculture.
Exam relevance: ATP provides the paper topic lists and cognitive levels.
Paper 1 topics: basic agricultural chemistry; soil science (physical); soil science (chemical). Paper 2 topics: plant studies (nutrition); plant studies (reproduction); optimal resource utilisation. Question 1 includes short/objective questions (45). Questions 2-4 are 35 marks each with subsections. Cognitive levels: knowledge 40%, comprehension and application 40%, analysis/evaluation/synthesis 20%.
Oculation and grafting; advantages and disadvantages of using asexual reproduction methods to propagate plants. Introduction to biotechnology.
Weed management; plant diseases and control; plant pests and control; integrated pest management (IPM); insect control in stored seeds and grass; general role of the state in plant protection.
Soil surveying and planning; precision farming.
Soil cultivation and crop rotation.
Greenhouse, hydroponics and aquaculture.
Exam relevance: ATP provides the paper topic lists and cognitive levels.
Paper 1 topics: basic agricultural chemistry; soil science (physical); soil science (chemical). Paper 2 topics: plant studies (nutrition); plant studies (reproduction); optimal resource utilisation. Question 1 includes short/objective questions (45). Questions 2-4 are 35 marks each with subsections. Cognitive levels: knowledge 40%, comprehension and application 40%, analysis/evaluation/synthesis 20%.
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