Plant nutrients and fertiliser planning
Overview
This standard covers the role of plant nutrients in crop production and their application, all with due regard for protection of the environment.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 appreciate the principles of supplying nutrients or lime to a soil to supplement soil supply and/or replace crop removals
P2 be able to produce a manure management plan
P3 advise on appropriate forms for given situations
P4 calculate unit costs and undertake cost comparison of different products
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 how to take soil samples and interpret the resulting analysis
K2 the need for and use of lime, including optimum pHs for different crops and soil types
K3 how to prepare fertiliser plans for single crops and rotations
K4 the need to avoid fertiliser application to non-crop areas, especially field margins
K5 the storage requirements for different forms of fertiliser
K6 range of products and formulations
K7 the agronomic implications of the different forms of fertilisers
K8 fertiliser legislation and correct labelling
K9 agronomic implications of fertiliser declaration and correct labelling
K10 the consequences and effects of plant nutrition options on soil, water and the environment
K11 how nutrients are lost from plants and the soil
K12 the economic and environmental consequences of inaccurate fertiliser spreading and poor storage
K13 the influence of local climate and geographic factors on fertiliser quantity and timing for a given crop
K14 how the influences of placement methods and fertiliser formulation can affect the quantity and timing of fertiliser for a given crop
K15 the mechanisms by which nutrients are lost to the environment
K16 the various chemical and physical properties of fertiliser types
K17 the measurement units of nutrient declarations and ratios