(Amenity Horticulture) Syllabus - Basis

CONTENTS
Page
General Information
Introduction 3
Content and Duration of the Course 5
Exam Structure 5
Foundation Award (Amenity Horticulture) Syllabus
Core Modules
1. Professional Pesticides 6
2. Application of Pesticides 7
3. Protecting people, animals and the environment 8
Hard/Permeable Surfaces – Skill Area
4. Weed Control 9
Turf and Borders
5. Weeds Control 10
6. Disease control 11
7. Pest Control 12
BASIS Approved Trainers 13
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FOUNDATION AWARD
AMENITY HORTICULTURE
Introduction
There are many people working in the Amenity Horticulture sectors of industry. It is recognised as a very
broad area of activity with inclusion of many facets applicable to: industrial and construction sites; sports
turf maintenance; shrubs and borders in parks, and many other essential elements which relate to
business and social activity.
All these different areas of Amenity Horticulture, have an involvement with pesticides to assist in weed
control, to control pests and to control plant diseases.
The sale, storage and use of professional pesticides is tightly controlled and those selling / advising,
applying or storing professional pesticides are all required by law to hold the relevant certificates of
competence. In the case of sales / advice, the relevant qualification is the BASIS Certificate for Field, Sales
and Technical Staff (FSTS) in Amenity Horticulture.
A large number of people in Amenity Horticulture have a need to understand more about pesticides, how
they work and why they are needed. However their main employment activity may not involve selling,
advising, applying or storing pesticides.
This course is designed for such people and it may also be an introduction for those who wish to go
forward to the next level of qualification (FSTS).
The Foundation Award in Amenity covers all three components:
• Hard Surfaces
• Turf
• Shrubs & Borders
The course includes a short examination at the end of 3 days tuition. Those candidates who achieve the
pass level will receive written recognition from BASIS of their achievement but this course does not result
in a BASIS certificate of competence. This is to avoid any confusion with the Statutory qualification (full
BASIS FSTS course).
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Those to whom the course is suited
• New entrants to the Amenity Horticulture sector whose job requires an understanding of
professional pesticides.
• Candidates who wish to attain full FSTS qualification and need this course as a “stepping
stone” towards it.
• Those who work in Amenity Horticulture with a job content requiring knowledge of
professional pesticides, but who do not themselves sell, advise, supply or store them.
Whistle Blowing Policy
BASIS (Registration) Ltd is committed to the highest standards of openness and accountability. Therefore,
we expect employees, candidates and others who work with BASIS who have serious concerns about any
aspect of our work voice those concerns.
To this effect BASIS has a whistle Blowing Policy. This procedure is designed to allow concerns of a public
interest kind within BASIS to be raised, investigated and where appropriate, acted upon. Complaints may
be any member of staff, candidates or those contracted to provide services to BASIS.
To view the full Whistle Blowing Policy go to:
http://www.basis-reg.co.uk/media/documents/430/index.html
Dyslexia Policy
BASIS (Registration) Ltd allows students diagnosed with Dyslexia to request special examination
arrangements. Proof of dyslexia is required a minimum of 4 weeks before the exam date so that BASIS can
provide special examination arrangements if required.
For a full copy of our Dyslexia Policy please go to:
http://www.basis-reg.co.uk/media/documents/TM%2015%20BASIS%20Dyslexia%20Policy%20-
%20Sept%202011.pdf
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CONTENT AND DURATION OF THE COURSE
The course is designed to run for 3 days for the Award including the short exam of 1½ hours towards the
end of the third day of tuition. The exam is structured with a number of elements as set out below.
40 multi-choice questions
3 short-answer questions
Total – 1½ hours
The pass mark for the exam is 70%
THE EXAM STRUCTURE FOR EACH PART IS AS BELOW
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MODULE 1 – PROFESSIONAL PESTICIDES
1.1 Competence
FOUNDATION AWARD – AMENITY HORTICULTURE
SYLLABUS CONTENT
CORE MODULES
Ability to explain the way in which professional pesticides are categorised, regulated and controlled, and
to demonstrate understanding of the importance of correct decision making and advice relative to the
expected outcomes.
1.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Demonstrate some understanding of the key terms used to describe pesticide products
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the importance of the modes of action of pesticide
products
• Outline the framework of pesticide legislation applicable in the UK
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Codes of Practice
• Explain the importance of the pesticide product label
• State the main criteria for best practice in the storage of pesticide products
• Explain what is meant by resistance to pesticides and demonstrate an appreciation of antiresistance
strategy
• Demonstrate some understanding of the formulation of pesticide products
• Understand what is meant by the term adjuvant
• Explain the importance of decisions involved in pesticide use and how correct advice is crucial
to beneficial outcomes
• Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits available from pesticide use and the
potentially negative aspects of their use
• Understand the options available to adopt integrated approaches to control in a range of
situations
1.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidates must have the ability to:
• Communicate the aims of the Authorisation directive and FEPA
• Explain the purpose, importance and types of pesticides available
• Explain how pesticides are controlled and regulated to deliver safe benefits
• Explain how pesticides are manufactured and how they fit into a weed control strategy which
recognises integration, resistant weeds and combinations of inputs to achieve good results
• Demonstrate that they can give balanced, constructive, cost-efficient and effective advice on
the safe use of pesticides
• Explain how to increase awareness and make reference checks so as to improve pesticide
knowledge and position products correctly in work programmes
• State key sources of information and advice on legislative issues
• Identify appropriate conditions for pesticide storage in both small and large stores
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MODULE 2 – APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES
2.1 Competence
Ability to understand the key issues in effective and responsible use of professional pesticides.
2.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Explain the basic requirements for different types of pesticide application machinery and
their effective use
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the importance of spray quality and water volume
• Explain the mechanisms which result in pesticides moving beyond the intended area of
application
• Outline best practice for disposal of pesticide wastes
2.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidates must have the ability to:
• Explain the key assessment factors prior to application of pesticides
• Outline how application machinery can be tested and calibrated for accuracy of spraying /
spreading
• Explain with examples, how drift and other forms of pollution can be avoided
• Demonstrate an understanding of satisfactory machinery performance when applying
pesticides
• State key sources of information and advice on application and disposal
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MODULE 3 – PROTECTING PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
3.1 Competence
Ability to understand the best practices employed by authorities, companies, contractors, advisors and
pesticide product manufacturers to keep people, animals and the environment safe from pesticides and
operations involving them.
3.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Explain how the public and bystanders are protected from harm
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the codes of practice
• Outline how accidental poisoning of wildlife is avoided and also how illegal poisoning is
addressed
• Explain how spray timing, control and planning can avoid pesticide incidences in water
• Explain how integrated approaches to weed problems can be used in addition to pesticide
use so as to reduce unwanted impacts on the environment
• Demonstrate awareness of people, animals and the environment in an industrial, urban and
recreational context, whilst delivering high standards of control of a range of problems
• Understand what is meant by a COSHH assessment
3.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidate must have the ability to:
• Describe the purpose of the Water Framework Directive
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to combine the requirements of contract
requirement/specification with knowledge of good operating practice
• Show the range of options available to deliver results which comply with the contract and job
requirements and yet preserve safety to people, animals and the environment
• Describe how Integrated Control Options can help preserve the local environmental status
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HARD/PERMEABLE SURFACES
MODULE 4 – WEED CONTROL
4.1 Competence
Ability to recognise the most important grass and broad-leaved species and have an understanding of the
biology, importance and options for the integrated control of weeds.
4.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Understand weed types and their recognition
• Develop an understanding of weed biology
• Understand the range and complexity of weed species
• Identify the problems weeds can cause
• Understand the options for control
• Outline the efficiency, economics and impact of each option
• Know the integrated approaches to weed control that can be used
4.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidate must have the ability to:
• Use keys and books to identify major weeds
• Explain key aspects of weed biology relative to their importance, spread and control
• Identify the problems caused by weeds in a variety of situations
• Communicate the importance of an integrated approach to weed control, with reference to
particular control techniques
• Explain the economics of different weed control techniques and the issues involved
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TURF AND BORDERS
MODULE 5 – WEED CONTROL
5.1 Competence
Ability to recognise the most important grass and broad leaved species and have an understanding of the
biology and options for the control of weeds.
5.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Understand weed types and their recognition
• Develop an understanding of weed biology
• Understand the range and complexity of weed species
• Identify the problems weeds can cause
• Understand the options for control
• Outline the efficiency, economics and impact of each option
• Know the integrated approaches to weed control that can be used
5.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidates must be able to:
• Use keys and books to identify major weeds
• Explain key aspects of weed biology relative to their importance, spread and control
• Identify the problems caused by weeds in a variety of situations
• Communicate the importance of an integrated approach to weed control, with reference to
particular control techniques
• Explain the economics of different weed control techniques and the issues involved
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MODULE 6 – DISEASE CONTROL
6.1 Competence
Ability to recognise the important diseases affecting turf grasses and the shrubs and other plants grown in
amenity situations.
6.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Identify different diseases and know their pathogen recognition features
• Develop an understanding of plant fungal, bacterial and viral biology
• Understand the problems caused by plant diseases
• Know the options for and integrated approaches to plant disease control
6.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidates must have the ability to:
• Use keys and books to identify different plant diseases
• Explain key aspects of disease biology relative to their importance, spread and control
• Identify the problems caused by plant diseases in a variety of situations
• Communicate the options for integrated plant disease control
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MODULE 7 – PEST CONTROL
7.1 Competence
Ability to recognise the important pests affecting turf grasses and the shrubs and other plants grown in
amenity situations.
7.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to:
• Identify different pests and vector recognition features
• Develop an understanding of plant pest and vector biology
• Understand the problems caused by plant pests and vectors
• Know the options for and integrated approaches to plant pest control
7.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidate must have the ability to:
• Use keys and books to identify different plant pests and vectors
• Explain key aspects of plant pest biology relative to their importance, spread and control
• Identify the problems caused by plant pests in a variety of situations
• Communicate the options for integrated plant pest control
This course is designed as an introduction to the key elements of the use of professional pesticides in
some important areas of Amenity Horticulture. This foundation course forms an excellent introduction for
the full BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection course and a ‘stand-alone’ qualification for the less intensive
candidate who does not need detailed knowledge of professional pesticides, or the requirement for a
statutory qualification.
Where possible it is recommended that candidates should be familiar with a suitable site relative to the
module studied on the course, to provide some practical background knowledge.
For further information regarding this course please email training.courses@basis-reg.co.uk.
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BASIS APPROVED TRAINERS
The following Colleges, Trainers and Training Providers are successfully running Foundation Award in
Amenity Horticulture examinations and have been accepted as BASIS Approved Trainers for the
Foundation Award in Agronomy.
Ian Gower Associates Ltd
Contact: Ian Gower
7 Blean Square Tel: 01622 675130
Vinters Park
email: ian@pesticides-safety-training.co.uk
MAIDSTONE
Web: www.pesticides-safety-training.co.uk
Kent, ME14 5QU
James Christian-Ilett
Contact / Trainer: James Christian-Ilett
8 Painshall Close Tel: 01673 860925
Welton
email: christian.ilett@btinternet.com
LINCOLN
Lincolnshire
LN2 3NU
STRI Ltd
Contact / Trainer: Ruth Mann
St Ives Estate Tel: 01274 565131
BINGLEY
email: ruth.mann@stri.co.uk
West Yorkshire
Web: www.stri.co.uk
BD16 1AU
The following Colleges, Trainers and Training Organisations have expressed an interest in running some,
or all, of the training modules and / or the Foundation Award in Agronomy Amenity Horticulture
examination.
Chelmsford & West Essex Training Group
Contact: Debbie Wedge
2 Salisbury Cottages Tel: 01245 381193
Maldon Road
email: debbiewedge@aol.com
Hatfield Peverel
CHELMSFORD
Essex
CM3 2HS
DJL Agronomics
Contact / Trainer: Dr Jim Lewis
Highgrove House Tel: 01507 363698
Cassbrook Drive
email: djlagronomics@gmail.com
Fulstow
Web: www.djlag.co.uk
LOUTH
LN11 0XR
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SRUC
Contact: Martin Richards
Kings Building Tel: 01315 354081
West Mains Road
email: martin.richards@sruc.ac.uk
EDINBURGH
Midlothian
EH9 3 JG
University of Lincoln
Contact / Trainer: Dr Simon Goodger
Short Course Unit Tel: 01522 895295
Riseholme Park
email: sgoodger@lincoln.ac.uk
LINCOLN
Lincolnshire, LN2 2LG
Web: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/lsa/shortcourses.htm
Vale Engineering (York) Ltd
Contact: Geoff Wilson
Moor Farm Tel: 01904 738981
Moor Monkton
email: training@valeuk.com
YORK
Web: www.valeuk.com
YO26 8JA
27 January 2014
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