FACTS Northern Ireland - Basis

MODULE 5 - USE OF FERTILISERS ON THE MAIN CROP GROUPS IN THE UK
Aim
To be able to give advice on the nutritional requirements of specific crops based upon a sound
understanding of needs and variables, and environmental considerations. Candidates will be expected to
be fully conversant with crops in at least one of the following groups and competent in one other:
Main Arable Crops
Vegetable Crops
Grass/Fodder Crops
Horticultural (including fruit) Crops
5.1 Competence
Candidates should be able to apply the principles in Section 1 to advise an appropriate nutrient
recommendation plan for a given crop.
5.2 Performance Criteria
Candidates must be able to evaluate a given field/horticultural situation in making appropriate objective
recommendations for the application of fertiliser and lime for a particular crop’s needs.
5.3 Essential Knowledge and Skills
Candidates must have the ability to:
• understand the influence of local climatic and geographic factors on fertiliser quantity and timing for a
given crop
• demonstrate an interpretation of a soil analysis report and application of the information to a given
crop fertiliser regime
• show how the influence of previous cropping impacts on the fertiliser recommendation for a following
crop
• understand the role of organic nutrient sources in crop nutrition and identification of the extent to
which a given crop fertiliser regime should be modified to take account of this
• show how the influence of placement methods and fertiliser formulation can affect the quantity and
timing of fertiliser for a given crop
• show how the qualitative aspects to fertiliser use in a given crop can affect the quantity, form and
timing of fertiliser applications
15% total time
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