Exam (elaborations)

Principles of Organic Crop Production

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Module
Organic Crop Production

Institution
Organic Crop Production

Unit 34: Understand the Principles of Organic Crop Production Unit code: D/600/9849 QCF Level 3: BTEC National Credit value: 10 Guided learning hours: 60 Aim and purpose This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of the principles of organic crop production and how these can...

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Institution Organic Crop Production
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Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Horticulture
– Issue 2 – September 2011 © Pearson Education Limited 2011 1Unit 34: Understand the Principles of Organic Crop Production
Unit code: D/600/9849
QCF Level 3: BTEC National
Credit value: 10Guided learning hours: 60
Aim and purpose
This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of the principles of organic crop production and how these can be applied in practice. This unit is primarily aimed at learners within a centre-based setting looking to progress into the sector or further education and training.
Unit introduction
The need to review attitudes to soil health, crop production and the relationship between man and nature is becoming more important with the development of increased environmental awareness and the demand for organically produced food. This unit develops the skills and knowledge practitioners of organic horticulture need and an understanding of the issues involved in marketing and establishing a commercial organic venture.
Learners will examine the background, philosophy and aims of the organic movement and the role of regulating standards, as well as covering practical horticultural skills and the value of crop rotation. Opportunities to market organic produce will be investigated, together with the practical and economic issues that need to be addressed when setting up an organic growing business.
Learners will have the opportunity to observe and examine different soils, compost making and soil improvement methods. The relationship between plants and soil micro-organisms will be covered. Methods of pest, disease and weed management suitable for use within an organic system, and the value of good environmental husbandry, will be discussed and learners will look at beneficial insects and predators and ways of promoting environmental diversity and habitats.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should :
1 Understand the principles of organic crop production
2 Understand the importance of soil fertility in an organic system3 Understand growing methods and markets for organic crops4 Understand methods of pest, disease and weed management in organic systems. Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Horticulture
– Issue 2 – September 2011 © Pearson Education Limited 2011 2Unit content
1 Understand the principles of organic crop production
History, philosophy and aims of the organic movement : history; the relevance of ancient and traditional agricultural practices; leading figures and organisations eg Sir Albert Howard, Eve Balfour, Lawrence D Hills, The Soil Association, Garden Organic (Henry Doubleday Research Association); the law of return (Howard); the importance of sound science; characteristics of organic systems; the development and consequences of artificial chemical use in non-organic crop production
Related systems : biodynamics; agroforestry; permaculture
Organic standards and certification : European Union (EU) regulations; aims of national and international organisations, standards and certifying bodies eg The Soil Association; registration procedures and costs; conversion; timing; inspection; derogation; record keeping; labelling regulations; organic seeds
2 Understand the importance of soil fertility in an organic system
The living soil : soil analysis; structure; fertility; humus; earthworms; the soil nutrient cycle (decomposition of organic material, action of soil organisms, non-biological reactions, soil micro-organisms, protozoa, bacteria-feeding nematodes, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza)
Soil erosion: causes; preventative measures; soil conservationBuilding and maintaining soil fertility : cultivation; crop rotation; intercropping; supplementary nutrients; rooting depths; mulching; compost; aerobic; anaerobic; ideal conditions; carbon—nitrogen ratio; types of compost heap; soil improvers; animal manures; green manures; nitrogen fixers; fertility builders; rhizobia; comfrey and liquid teas; wormeries
3 Understand growing methods and markets for organic crops
Crops and growing: organic growing methods for a selection of crops eg potatoes, brassicas, alliums, beets, cucurbits, salads, legumes, soft fruit, top fruit; types and varieties; seed and sowing; companion planting; modules; crop care; irrigation; weeds; diseases; pests; harvest; storage; health and safety; personal protective equipment (PPE); relevant current legislation and codes of practice
Marketing and economics: retail outlets; packers; supermarkets; wholesalers; direct marketing; box schemes; farmers’ markets; community-supported agriculture (CSA); cooperatives; net sales; farm shops; processing; consumer contact; presentation; packaging; economics; business planning; machinery; equipment; facilities; labour; transportation
4 Understand methods of pest, disease and weed management in organic systems
Pest and disease management : monocultures, biodiversity; plant health; crop rotation; variety selection; companion planting; cultural control; biological control; permissible biocides; life cycles and preferred habitats of beneficial insects and predators; bio-fumigation
Weed control: tillage; direct control (mechanical, manual, thermal, mulching); crop rotation; tools and machinery; identification of major annual and perennial weed species; the value of weeds as indicator plants (soil quality, characteristics, nutrient availability, dynamic nutrient accumulators)
Creating a diverse ecology : habitat diversity; creation, development and maintenance; beetle banks; environmental grants; relevant current legislation and codes of practice

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