Identify the presence of pests, diseases and disorders, and assist with Overview This describes the standard expected of you when you assist with the identification and control of pests, diseases and disorders within the cropping area. Pests will include insects, slugs, snails and rodents, for example. Diseases may be fungal, viral or bacterial. Disorders may include nutrient deficiencies (e.g. nitrogen or calcium deficiencies). This unit contains the following elements: 1. Identify and report the presence of pests, diseases and disorders 2. Assist with controlling pests, diseases and disorders You are expected to help monitor the incidence and spread of such problems, and to report your findings to the appropriate person. You should be able to recognise the common pests, diseases, disorders that affect the crop(s) with which you are working, and understand any biological controls associated with the crop(s). You are expected to assist with the control of pests, diseases and disorders under close supervision from your supervisor or a competent colleague. You are not expected to make decisions about the most appropriate control methods to use. Control may be by biological, cultural and/or chemical means. If you are to assist in the use of chemical controls (e.g. herbicides, fungicides or insecticides), these are subject to separate legislative requirements, and you will need to be in possession of the relevant certificate of competence (or be under the direct supervision of someone who possesses the relevant certificate of competence). LANCU78 1
Performance criteria You must be able to: You must be able to: Identify and report the presence of pests, diseases and disorders P1 ensure your working methods and practices maintain health and safety, and are consistent with relevant legislation and codes of practice P2 monitor the crop(s) in accordance with production requirements P3 correctly identify the presence of pests, diseases and disorders P4 correctly identify the presence of any biological controls in use and beneficial insects P5 establish the extent of the pest population, disease and any disorders P6 promptly report the presence and extent of pests, diseases and disorders to the appropriate person Assist with controlling pests, diseases and disorders P7 ensure your working methods and practices maintain health and safety and are consistent with relevant legislation and codes of practice P8 confirm the control methods to be used with the appropriate person P9 prepare and use the necessary equipment safely and correctly throughout P10 handle all materials carefully, safely and efficiently in accordance with instructions and organisational policy P11 assist with applying control methods in a way which minimises the risks to non-target species and the environment P12 report any problems that arise during pest, disease and disorder control to the appropriate person without delay P13 handle and dispose of waste safely and correctly in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy P14 record the use of control methods where appropriate LANCU78 2
Knowledge and understanding You need to know and understand: You need to know and understand: Identify and report the presence of pests, diseases and disorders K1 working methods which maintain the health and safety of yourself and others K2 health and safety risks in monitoring pests, diseases and disorders K3 workplace policies and procedures relating to the identification and reporting of pests, diseases and disorders K4 your responsibility under health and safety legislation K5 your responsibility under environmental and conservation legislation K6 reasons for monitoring the crop K7 when to carry out crop monitoring, i.e. frequency and regularity K8 common types of pests, diseases and disorders K9 the problems caused by common pests, diseases and disorders to crop(s) K10 relevant biological control and beneficial insects as they apply to crops within your area of responsibility K11 to whom you should report the presence and extent of pests, diseases, disorders and biological control/beneficial insects Assist with controlling pests, diseases and disorders K12 working methods which maintain the health and safety of self and others K13 health and safety risks in controlling pests, diseases and disorders K14 workplace policies and procedures relating to the control of pests, diseases and disorders K15 your responsibilities under health and safety legislation and control of substances hazardous to health K16 your responsibilities under environmental legislation (including conservation legislation) K17 safe handling and effective use of chemicals and relevant codes of practice K18 the dangers and emergency treatments associated with the use of chemicals K19 chemical and cultural control methods K20 instructions for assisting with the use of control methods K21 biological control methods for controlling pests K22 the safe handling of materials and equipment for use during the control of pests, diseases and disorders K23 the types of problems which may occur and to whom they should be reported K24 safe and correct methods for disposing of organic and inorganic waste LANCU78 3
K25 the purpose and importance of keeping appropriate records relating to use of control methods LANCU78 4
Additional Information Scope/range 1. The presence of 1.1. pest 1.2. disease 1.3. disorder 1.4. biological control or beneficial insect 2. Control methods 2.1. chemical 2.2. biological 2.3. cultural 3. Equipment 3.1. relevant to the control method being used 3.2. personal protective equipment LANCU78 5
Developed by LANTRA Version number 1 Date approved November 2009 Indicative review date Validity Status Originating organisation Original URN Relevant occupations Suite Key words November 2011 Current Original LANTRA CU78Nov09V2 Horticulture and forestry; Conservation Associate Professionals Treework; Production Horticulture insects, slugs, snails, Chemicals, biological LANCU78 6