Implement the application of nutrients to crops

This standard covers implementing the application of nutrients to crops. You will require knowledge of the principles of crop growth and development as well as crop health. When working with machinery, equipment or chemicals you should be trained and hold current certification where required. When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment. This standard is suitable for a skilled operative with responsibility for implementing the application of nutrients to crops.

"1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. select, prepare, use and maintain the required machinery and
equipment, safely and correctly
4. store, transport and prepare nutrients in accordance with
relevant legislation and business practices
5. confirm that the selected product is suitable for the work to be
carried out and in accordance with instructions and
specifications
6. calculate the minimum application rate to achieve the desired
result
7. confirm that the environmental conditions are appropriate for the
application of nutrients to be carried out
8. implement the application of nutrients to the crop, in accordance
with instructions and specifications
9. maintain the safety and security of machinery and equipment
when on site
10. confirm that hygiene and bio-security are maintained, in
accordance with business practices
11. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, your work
12. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental
damage
13. dispose of surplus product and containers safely and correctly, in
accordance with relevant legal requirements, codes of practice
and business practices
14. carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental
and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements,
codes of practice and business policies
15. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by
relevant legislation and the business"

"1. how to identify hazards and assess risks
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for the activity
3. the types of machinery and equipment required for implementing
the application of nutrients to crops and how to prepare, use,
maintain and store these safely and correctly
4. the stages of crop development for the application of nutrients
5. the requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different crop
production systems
6. the principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop
Management (ICM)
7. how to transport and store fertiliser and containers according to
relevant legislation, instructions and specifications
8. the application requirements for different types of nutrients
including organic and inorganic
9. how to calculate the amount of nutrient required and how it should
be prepared
10. the environmental conditions that are required for the application
of nutrients to crops and the effect that these conditions have on
the operations
11. the sort of problems that may occur when implementing the
application of nutrients to crops and the action to take
12. why it is important to maintain the safety and security of
machinery and equipment when on site
13. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the
methods for achieving this
14. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved
in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
15. the potential impact that your activities could have on the
environment and how this can be minimised, including NVZ
(Nitrate Vulnerable Zone) considerations, water pollution and the
impacts of overdosing on plant health
16. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste in
accordance with relevant legal requirements and business
practices
17. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
18. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them"

"Instructions and specifications:
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drawings/plans
schedules
method statements
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),
manufacturer's guidelines
customer requirements
crop requirements
verbal instructions
Nutrients:
• organic sources (e.g. manures, slurries and bio-solids)
• inorganic sources
Sustainable agriculture: Meeting the requirements for food production
while maintaining profitability and preserving the environment."