Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What is the primary benefit to purchasing newly developed vegetable varieties?

1. They are smaller in size, thus using less space in the garden

2. They often are more resistant to disease

3. They will germinate at a faster rate

4. They will produce more, but smaller fruits

The correct answer is: They often are more resistant to disease

Newly developed vegetable varieties often incorporate advanced breeding techniques and research to enhance their characteristics. One of the primary benefits of these new varieties is their increased resistance to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses. This resistance allows for more reliable growth and harvests, potentially reducing the need for chemical treatments and increasing the sustainability of gardening practices. By focusing on disease resistance, these varieties can help gardeners achieve better yields and healthier crops. This is particularly important in a changing climate where diseases may become more prevalent or shift in behavior, making the ability to select resistant varieties critical for successful gardening and farming. While the other options—such as space efficiency, germination speed, and fruit size—may have their own merits, they are not as universally significant as disease resistance when considering the overall benefits of newly developed vegetable varieties. Prioritizing health and resilience ultimately leads to stronger, more productive gardens.