Monitor and maintain the healthy growth of crops LEGACY

URN: LANAgC3L
Business Sectors (Suites): Agricultural Crop Production
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2019

Overview

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 current certification where required. When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment. The standard is suitable for those with responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the healthy growth of crops.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  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

  1. assess the soil condition and nutrient status for the crop
  2. seek technical advice regarding nutrient requirements and the

suitable actions to take, when required

  1. determine the nutrients required to maintain healthy growth and

how they should be applied to the crop

  1. implement methods of applying the required nutrients to the crop
  2. assess risks to the crop from weeds, pests, diseases and

disorders

  1. seek technical advice regarding the control of weeds, pests,

diseases and disorders and the suitable actions to take, when

required

  1. 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

  1. implement methods of controlling weeds, pests, diseases and

disorders in the crop, in accordance with relevant legal

requirements and business practices

  1. confirm, where chemicals have been applied to the crop, that they

are used in accordance with relevant legal requirements and

business practices

  1. monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all actions taken to

maintain the healthy growth of crops

  1. confirm that hygiene and bio-security are maintained in

accordance with business practices

  1. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,

or affected by, your work

  1. follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental

damage

  1. confirm that waste is processed safely and correctly, in

accordance with relevant legal requirements and business

practices

  1. confirm that business environmental and health and safety

policies and risk assessment requirements are put into practice

across your area of responsibility

  1. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by

relevant legislation and the business


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. how to identify hazards and assess risks
  2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

suitable for the activity

  1. the requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different crop

production systems

  1. the principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop

Management (ICM)

  1. the stages of crop development
  2. 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

  1. the methods that can be used to monitor the growth and

development of crops, including the use of thresholds and

schedules

  1. the problems of soil compaction
  2. the ways of checking that the correct amount of nutrients is

available to crops

  1. the meaning of pH and how to establish it
  2. the role of major and trace elements in the healthy growth of

crops

  1. the nutrient requirements for different crops
  2. the sources of technical advice about the suitable actions to take

to provide nutrients to crops

  1. the purpose of applying nutrients and how they can be adjusted to

encourage the healthy growth of crops

  1. the types of nutrients that may be applied to the crop and the

application methods that must be used

  1. the different forms of fertiliser available and how they should be

used

  1. how to recognise the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and

disorders that may affect the crop

  1. the sources of technical advice about the suitable actions to take

to control weeds, pests, diseases and disorders

  1. the purpose and requirements of Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)

  1. 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

  1. the methods of pest control that may be used and how to

maximise the effectiveness of these

  1. the purpose and use of chemicals on crops and the possible

implications for the operator, the crop, the environment and the

consumer

  1. the requirements of legislation in relation to the handling and use

of chemicals

  1. manufacturer's labels and data sheets in relation to the

preparation and use of chemicals and the correct methods of

application

  1. the importance of monitoring and evaluating the outcome of all

actions taken to maintain the healthy growth of crops

  1. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security while

maintaining the healthy growth of crops and the methods for

achieving these

  1. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved

in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done

  1. 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

  1. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste in

accordance with relevant legal requirements and business

practices

  1. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and

safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies

  1. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing

them


Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

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

crop requirements

verbal instructions

Major and trace elements:

e.g. nitrogen, sulphur, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus

Monitor the growth and development of crops:

• desired healthy growth

• pests, diseases and disorders

• animal

• insect

• viral

• bacterial

• fungal

• nutrient

• trace element deficiency

• drought

• water logging

Pest Control:

• fencingscarers

• 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

20

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Legacy

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

lanagc3

Relevant Occupations

Farmer

SOC Code

5119

Keywords

Crops; Pests; Diseases; Disorders; Weeds; Nutrients; Fertiliser