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Monitor and maintain the healthy growth of crops

URN: LANAgC3
Business Sectors (Suites): Agricultural Crop Production,Crofting and Smallholding
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2022

Overview

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This standard covers monitoring and maintaining the healthy growth of crops.
 
You will be able to monitor the growth of crops, take the necessary action to maintain the healthy growth of the crop and control risks to crops from weeds, pests, diseases and disorders. This could include the application of nutrients to promote healthy growth or the implementation of suitable methods to control weeds, pests, diseases or disorders.

When working with machinery or equipment you should be trained, and hold the current certification where required, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.
 
The standard is suitable for those with responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the healthy growth of crops.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
  2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  3. monitor the growth and development of crops, in accordance with instructions and specifications
  4. assess the soil condition and nutrient status for the crop
  5. seek technical advice regarding nutrient requirements and the suitable actions to take, when required
  6. determine the nutrients required to maintain healthy growth and how they should be applied to the crop
  7. implement methods of applying the required nutrients to the crop
  8. assess risks to the crop from weeds, pests, diseases and disorders 
  9. seek technical advice regarding the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders, and the suitable actions to take, when required
  10. determine the method of minimising risks to the crop from identified weeds, pests, diseases or disorders to achieve the best balance between production requirements, environmental impact and the purpose for which the crop is being grown
  11. implement methods of controlling weeds, pests, diseases and disorders in the crop, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  12. confirm, where chemicals have been applied to the crop, that they are used in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  13. monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all the actions taken to maintain the healthy growth of crops
  14. confirm that hygiene and bio-security are maintained in accordance with business practices
  15. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
  16. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental damage
  17. confirm that waste is processed safely and correctly, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  18. confirm that business environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements are put into practice across your area of responsibility
  19. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and the business

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with maintaining the healthy growth of crops
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
  3. the requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different crop production systems
  4. the principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop Management (ICM)
  5. the stages of crop development
  6. how to determine the optimum time for monitoring the growth and development of crops given the crop requirements, the stage of growth, the time of year and the potential risks from weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
  7. the methods that can be used to monitor the growth and development of crops, including the use of technology
  8. how to use thresholds and schedules
  9. the current national legislation controlling the use of fertilisers and treatments for crops
  10. the problems of soil compaction
  11. the ways of checking that the correct amount of nutrients is available to crops 
  12. the meaning of pH and how to establish it
  13. the role of major and trace elements in the healthy growth of crops 
  14. the nutrient requirements for different crops
  15. the sources of technical advice about the suitable actions to take to provide nutrients to crops
  16. the purpose of applying nutrients and how they can be adjusted to encourage the healthy growth of crops
  17. the types of nutrients that may be applied to the crop and the application methods that must be used
  18. the different forms of fertiliser available and how they should be used
  19. how to recognise the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders that may affect the crop
  20. the sources of technical advice about the suitable actions to take to control weeds, pests, diseases and disorders 
  21. the purpose and requirements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  22. the range of different actions that may be taken to protect crops from weeds, pests, diseases and disorders, in accordance with different production systems, and the implications of not taking action
  23. the methods of pest control that may be used and how to maximise the effectiveness of these 
  24. the purpose and use of chemicals on crops and the possible implications for the operator, the crop, the environment and the consumer
  25. the requirements of legislation in relation to the handling and use of chemicals
  26. the manufacturer’s labels and data sheets in relation to the preparation and use of chemicals and the correct methods of application
  27. the importance of monitoring and evaluating the outcome of all actions taken to maintain the healthy growth of crops
  28. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security while maintaining the healthy growth of crops and the methods for achieving this
  29. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work, and how this should be done
  30. the potential impact that your activities could have on the environment and ways in which this can be minimised, including NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone) considerations, water pollution and the impacts of overdosing on plant health
  31. the importance of preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity, and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change
  32. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and business practices
  33. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
  34. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Different actions to combat weeds, pests and disease include: 

• crop covers
• rotation
• variety choice
• inter-row cultivation
• stale seedbeds
• minimum till

Instructions and specifications: 

• drawings/plans
• schedules
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s guidelines
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• crop requirements
• verbal instructions

Major and trace elements include:
nitrogen, sulphur, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus

Monitor the growth and development of crops:

• desired healthy growth
• pests, diseases and disorders
o animal
o insect
o viral
o bacterial
o fungal
o nutrient
o trace element deficiency
o drought
o water logging

Pest control:

• fencing
• scarers
• repellents
• shooting
• biological
• chemical
• use of beneficial insects

Sustainable agriculture: Meeting the requirements for food production while maintaining profitability and preserving the environment.

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

5

Indicative Review Date

2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANAgC3

Relevant Occupations

Farmer, Crofter, Smallholder

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

crops; pests; diseases; disorders; weeds; nutrients; fertiliser