-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY. Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NQ NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR

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1 -SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NQ NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR -Module Number Session Superclass- SC -Title- POTATO HARVESTING AND STORAGE (x 1 / 2 ) -DESCRIPTION- Purpose This module is designed to enable the student to acquire the knowledge and skills associated with the harvesting and storage of potato crops. The module is aimed at craft level Agricultural students and may be taught as part of a programme of agriculture modules. Preferred Potato Production Entry Level Tractor Operations 2 Learning Outcomes 1. identify the appropriate time for harvesting; 2. explain harvesting procedures and control of crop losses during harvesting; 3. describe the conditions required for storing and grading the crop; 4. operate a potato harvester. Content/ Context Safety regulations, safe working practices and procedures and legal requirements should be observed at all times. Corresponding to Learning Outcomes 1-4: 1. The key factors determining harvest time. Factors affecting tuber size, ratio of size grades, market, disease, procedures for burning down; interval to lifting.

2 2. Types of harvester; working principles, field procedures, monitoring crop losses, harvester faults - causes and rectification. 3. Environmental factors affecting storage, storage conditions/requirements for a range of markets, grading/processing requirements for a range of markets. 4. Preparation of harvester for work; use of controls; field procedures; adjustments; regular maintenance. Suggested Learning and Teaching Approaches This module should be taught against a background of field studies supplemented by films/videos/slides and workshop practicals and exercises. The operation of harvesting of the crop is highly desirable and should be attempted whenever possible. Assessment Procedures Acceptable performance in the module will be satisfactory achievement of all the performance criteria specified for each Learning Outcome. The following abbreviations are used below: LO Learning Outcome Instrument of Assessment Performance Criteria LO1 IDENTIFY THE APPROPRTE TIME FOR HARVESTING outline factors which influence tuber size; outline timing and procedures for haulm destruction; record information. Assignment The student will be set an assignment to test the understanding of the influence of haulm destruction on tuber size and quality. The student will be expected to explain the effect of four factors which influence tuber size. For one market situation the student will describe the procedures to be adhered to for haulm destruction. based on the student outlining three factors affecting -2 -

3 tuber size also timing and procedures for haulm destruction. LO2 EXPLAIN HARVESTING PROCEDURES AND CONTROL OF CROP LOSSES DURING HARVESTING outline working principles of harvesters; state field harvesting procedures; outline operational faults on harvesters. Structured Questions The student will be set structured questions to test the understanding of harvesting procedures and the steps necessary to ensure minimal crop damage during the harvesting operation. The student will be presented with diagrams of harvesters. Using the given data the student will be asked 10 structured questions as follows: (I) Performance criteria - 2 questions (ii) Performance criteria - 3 questions (iii) Performance criteria - 5 questions based on correct response as follows: Performance criteria - 1 correct response Performance criteria - 2 correct responses Performance criteria - 5 correct responses. LO3 DESCRIBE THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR STORING AND GRADING THE CROP (d) outline environmental factors affecting storage; describe safe storage conditions; outlying factors influencing grading process; list grading standards. Restricted Response Questions The student will be set ten restricted response questions to test the understanding of storage and grading procedures to ensure the minimum level of crop loss during the storage period and subsequent handling. -3 -

4 The student will be expected to describe safe storage conditions for two market outlets and two grading standards for two given markets. -4 -

5 based on the student producing 8 correct responses. LO4 OPERATE A POTATO HARVESTER (d) set the machine for a specific situation; adjust the controls to suit given variations; carry out routine maintenance; assess crop losses and rectify operational faults. Practical Exercise The student will be set a practical exercise which tests the ability to set, adjust and maintain a potato harvester to minimise crop losses. The following suggested checklist for the operation of the machine may be used during the assessment of the student: (I) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) forward speed depth of share soil cushion/agitation drop height tuber cleanliness separation of rubbish assessment of physical damage assessment of harvesting losses. based on the student adjusting one machine to minimise crop losses. Copyright SQA