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Question 1. Which part of the grapevine is referred to as the “head” where permanent arms (cordons) originate? A) Trunk B) Rootstock C) Cane D) Crown Answer: A Explanation: The head is the uppermost portion of the trunk from which cordons are trained; it is the main support structure. Question 2. In vine anatomy, a cordon is best described as: A) A one-year-old dormant cane B) A permanent horizontal arm of wood C) A cluster of fruiting buds D) A root extension Answer: B Explanation: Cordons are permanent, horizontally trained arms that remain on the vine year after year. Question 3. A “can” on a grapevine is: A) The permanent trunk B) A one-year-old shoot that will be pruned after fruiting C) A type of disease symptom D) The root tip Answer: B Explanation: Canes are one-year-old wood that bear fruit and are removed during winter pruning. Question 4. The primary bud of the bud complex is located:
A) At the base of the cane B) Directly on the node, opposite the leaf scar C) Two nodes above the leaf D) Inside the trunk Answer: B Explanation: The primary bud sits at the node and is the main source of next season’s growth. Question 5. Which of the following indicates deep dormancy in a grapevine? A) Buds swollen and green B) Sap exuding when cut in early spring C) No visible bud swelling and no bleeding after a cut D) Leaves turning yellow in late summer Answer: C Explanation: Deep dormancy is characterized by dormant buds and the absence of sap flow (“bleeding”). Question 6. “Bleeding” when pruning a vine in early spring is a sign of: A) Excessive vigor B) Incomplete dormancy C) High disease pressure D) Proper timing for pruning Answer: B Explanation: Bleeding indicates the vine has broken dormancy and should be pruned later to avoid sap loss. Question 7. Apical dominance in grapevines primarily affects: A) Root growth B) Leaf size C) Growth of lateral buds versus the shoot tip D) Fruit color
Question 11. Proper spacing between spurs on a cordon should be: A) 2–4 inches B) 6–10 inches C) 12–15 inches D) 18–24 inches Answer: B Explanation: 6–10 inches spacing prevents canopy crowding and allows sunlight penetration. Question 12. When selecting a fruiting cane for a head-trained Tokay vine, the recommended cane diameter is: A) Needle-thin B) Pencil-sized C) Thumb-thick D) As thick as the trunk Answer: B Explanation: Pencil-sized (≈ 6 - 8 mm) canes are strong enough to support fruit but not overly vigorous. Question 13. The standard number of buds retained on a cane for a moderately vigorous Tokay vine is: A) 5–7 buds B) 8–10 buds C) 10–14 buds D) 15–20 buds Answer: C Explanation: 10–14 buds balance fruit load with vine vigor in most Tokay vines. Question 14. A replacement spur is left below a fruiting cane to: A) Provide immediate fruit the same year
B) Supply wood for the next season’s cane C) Increase leaf area instantly D) Reduce disease incidence Answer: B Explanation: The 2-node replacement spur ensures a new cane can be trained the following year. Question 15. In a quadrilateral cordon system, how many permanent arms are present? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: D Explanation: Quadrilateral systems have four permanent cordons extending from the trunk. Question 16. When tying canes to trellis wires, the correct technique is to: A) Wrap tightly around the cane, compressing the bark B) Use a loose loop that allows movement and does not girdle C) Nail the cane directly to the wire D) Glue the cane to the wire Answer: B Explanation: A loose loop prevents girdling and allows the cane to expand as it grows. Question 17. The Ravaz Index is calculated by dividing: A) Pruning weight by yield weight B) Yield weight by pruning weight C) Number of buds by number of clusters D) Cane length by trunk diameter
A) 90° toward the bud B) 45° away from the bud C) 30° toward the trunk D) 0° (straight across) Answer: B Explanation: A 45° cut away from the bud promotes water runoff and reduces disease entry. Question 22. How far above the bud should the cut be left to avoid desiccation? A) 1 mm B) ¼ inch C) ½ inch D) 1 inch Answer: C Explanation: Leaving at least ½ inch of wood protects the bud from drying out. Question 23. “Mummies” in a vineyard refer to: A) Old, dried fruit clusters still attached to the vine B) Young seedlings C) Insect larvae D) Grape vines with dwarf growth Answer: A Explanation: Mummies are old, dead fruit clusters that should be removed to improve airflow. Question 24. The primary purpose of removing water-sprouts (suckers) is to: A) Increase leaf area immediately B) Reduce competition for nutrients and improve canopy shape C) Encourage disease spread D) Strengthen the trunk’s diameter
Answer: B Explanation: Water-sprouts are vigorous but unproductive; removing them directs resources to fruiting wood. Question 25. Sharpening pruning shears should be performed with: A) A coarse file only B) A fine-toothed file followed by a honing stone C) A hammer and chisel D) No sharpening; replace blades annually Answer: B Explanation: A fine file removes nicks and a honing stone gives a razor-sharp edge. Question 26. Which disease is most commonly spread by contaminated pruning tools? A) Powdery mildew B) Botrytis bunch rot C) Eutypa dieback D) Phylloxera Answer: C Explanation: Eutypa dieback is a wood-rotting pathogen transmitted through pruning wounds. Question 27. A “dead arm” symptom on a grapevine is characterized by: A) Yellowing leaves only on one side of the canopy B) Complete loss of fruit on a cordon while the wood remains alive C) Sudden dieback of a whole cordon or arm with blackened wood D) Presence of insects in the canopy Answer: C Explanation: Dead arm shows black, necrotic wood and sudden loss of an entire arm.
D) A bud that produces leaves only Answer: A Explanation: Basal buds are positioned near the vine’s base and are important for renewal. Question 32. “Lateral growth” in grapevines is best described as: A) Growth from the apical tip only B) Growth of side shoots from nodes along the cane C) Root expansion underground D) Fruit development on the main trunk Answer: B Explanation: Lateral growth originates from buds along the cane, producing side shoots. Question 33. Which of the following is a reason a judge would deduct points for a “blind” cut? A) The cut was made with a dull blade B) The cut was placed too far from the bud, removing the bud C) The cut angle was too shallow D) The cut was made on a dead arm Answer: B Explanation: A blind cut removes the bud, eliminating future fruiting potential. Question 34. Excessive wood left on the vine after pruning results in: A) Improved disease resistance B) Reduced canopy density C) Over-vigorous growth and shading D) Immediate increase in yield Answer: C Explanation: Too much retained wood leads to excessive vegetative growth, shading fruit.
Question 35. In a bilateral cordon system, how many permanent arms are trained? A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four Answer: B Explanation: Bilateral systems have two permanent cordons extending from the trunk. Question 36. Which of the following best describes a “secondary bud” in the bud complex? A) The primary bud that will produce the next season’s cane B) A bud that develops after the primary bud has sprouted C) The dormant bud located one node above the primary bud D) A bud that never produces growth Answer: B Explanation: Secondary buds are positioned next to the primary and can develop if the primary is removed. Question 37. The most appropriate time to perform winter pruning on Tokay vines in a temperate climate is: A) Mid-summer, when vines are fully leafed out B) Late autumn, after leaf drop but before hard freeze C) Early spring, just before bud break D) During the harvest season Answer: B Explanation: Late autumn pruning avoids bleeding and protects the vine during dormancy. Question 38. When a vine shows “chlorosis” on new leaves, the likely cause is:
D) Number of water-sprouts removed Answer: B Explanation: The rule is based on pruning weight; more weight allows more buds. Question 42. If a vine’s pruning weight is 2 lb and the desired bud count is calculated using the “30 + 10” rule, how many buds should be left? A) 30 buds B) 40 buds C) 50 buds D) 60 buds Answer: B Explanation: 30 buds for the first pound + 10 buds for the second pound = 40 buds. Question 43. Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice when removing “mummies”? A) Cut at the base of the old fruit cluster B) Leave a long stub of wood attached to the vine C) Sanitize the blade between cuts D) Dispose of the material away from the vineyard floor Answer: B Explanation: Leaving a long stub can harbor disease; the cut should be clean and close. Question 44. A vine showing “cankering” at the graft union most likely suffers from: A) Nutrient excess B) Mechanical injury or disease C) Over-pruning D) Insufficient sunlight Answer: B Explanation: Cankering is a response to injury or infection at the graft site.
Question 45. The ideal distance between the pruning cut and the bud is: A) 1 mm B) ¼ inch C) ½ inch D) 1 inch Answer: C Explanation: ½ inch protects the bud while allowing proper wound closure. Question 46. Which of the following is a symptom of Eutypa dieback? A) Powdery white coating on leaves B) Brown, wedge-shaped necrosis in the wood C) Soft, watery rot of berries D) Galls on roots Answer: B Explanation: Eutypa causes brown, wedge-shaped cankers that restrict water flow. Question 47. When training a new cane, the first node should be positioned: A) Directly on the ground B) At the same height as the cordon wire C) 6 inches above the cordon wire D) 12 inches below the cordon wire Answer: B Explanation: Aligning the first node with the cordon wire ensures proper training and support. Question 48. In a head-trained system, the “replacement spur” is left: A) Above the fruiting cane B) Below the fruiting cane, 2 nodes from the trunk C) On the opposite side of the vine
Question 52. Which pruning tool is best suited for making precise 45° cuts on small canes? A) Large loppers B) Hand pruners (shears) C) Chainsaw D) Axe Answer: B Explanation: Hand pruners provide the control needed for accurate angled cuts on thin wood. Question 53. A vine with a Ravaz Index of 4 is considered: A) Over-cropped B) Under-cropped C) Ideal balance D) Diseased Answer: B Explanation: A low Ravaz Index (<5) indicates under-cropping, meaning the vine may be too vegetative. Question 54. Which of the following practices helps reduce the risk of “dead arm” disease? A) Pruning late in the season B) Leaving long, unpruned canes on the vine C) Prompt removal of infected wood and sanitation of tools D. Applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer Answer: C Explanation: Removing infected wood and sanitizing tools limit pathogen spread. Question 55. When tying a cane to a wire, the recommended number of loops around the cane is:
A) 1
B) 2–3 loose loops C) 5 tight loops D) 0 (use staples) Answer: B Explanation: Two to three loose loops secure the cane without girdling. Question 56. Which of the following is a visual cue that a vine is entering dormancy? A) Buds swelling and turning green B) Leaves turning red and falling off C) Buds appearing dry and brown, no sap flow when cut D) New shoots emerging from the trunk Answer: C Explanation: Dry, brown buds with no bleeding indicate dormancy. Question 57. The most efficient method to estimate pruning weight in the field is: A) Weighing each vine on a scale after pruning B) Counting the number of spurs only C) Using the “30 + 10” rule to estimate based on bud count D) Measuring trunk diameter only Answer: C Explanation: The “30 + 10” rule provides a quick estimate without weighing. Question 58. Which of the following is the correct order of steps when sanitizing pruning shears between vines? A) Wipe with a cloth → soak in bleach → dry B. Soak in hot water → oil the blades → store C. Wipe with alcohol → rinse with water → dry D. No sanitation needed if blades are sharp
Question 62. Which of the following is a sign that a pruning cut is too close to the bud? A) The bud appears exposed and may dry out B) The cut is at a perfect 45° angle C) The wood above the bud is long enough for leaf growth D. No visible effect on the bud Answer: A Explanation: Cutting too close removes protective wood, increasing desiccation risk. Question 63. When training a new cane, the ideal length before tying it to the wire is: A) 2–3 inches B) 6–8 inches C) 12–14 inches D) 18–20 inches Answer: C Explanation: 12–14 inches provides enough length for leaf development and easy tying. Question 64. Which of the following nutrients is most directly involved in cell wall development and thus wood strength? A) Nitrogen B) Phosphorus C) Calcium D) Potassium Answer: C Explanation: Calcium contributes to cell wall rigidity, enhancing wood strength. Question 65. The “blind” cut penalty is applied when: A) The cut is made at a perfect angle
B) The bud is removed entirely by the cut C) The cut leaves excess wood D) The cut is made with a dull blade Answer: B Explanation: Removing the bud eliminates future fruiting potential, warranting a penalty. Question 66. In a quadrilateral cordon system, the recommended distance between adjacent cordons is: A) 12 inches B) 24 inches C) 36 inches D) 48 inches Answer: B Explanation: 24 inches spacing provides balanced canopy and airflow. Question 67. Which of the following best describes “apical dominance” in grapevines? A) The tendency of lower buds to grow faster than the tip B) Hormonal control that suppresses lateral buds while the shoot tip is active C) The process of root expansion under the vine D) The development of fruit clusters at the base of the cane Answer: B Explanation: Apical dominance is the hormonal inhibition of lateral buds by the active tip. Question 68. A vine that consistently produces small berries despite adequate pruning may be suffering from: A) Excessive canopy shading B) Too much pruning weight C) High soil pH
