HR930-10 Introduction to BASIS (British Agrochemical Standards Inspection Scheme)
Introductory description
The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection has been established since 1978 to provide training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those giving advice on their use. In 1985 the Food & Environment Protection Act (FEPA) made certification a statutory obligation for pesticide sellers. The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of FEPA for certification for those involved in sale and supply of pesticides.
Module aims
The principal aim of the module is to provide students with the foundation training in order for them to progress to a full BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection. The certificate requires students to work for a year in industry before qualification is accredited, and this module will provide them with all the necessary academic training and experience. BASIS is an essential career qualification for agronomists, trials managers, consultants and employees of any company prescribing crop protection chemicals, including sales staff.
In order to be successful in their careers, students must be able to give sound technical advice in the field. For this reason the syllabus and training programme has been devised to provide practical instruction wherever possible. Consequently, there will be in-field training throughout the course which will be split up to cover all stages of field preparation, crop establishment, phases of growth and maturation and harvesting. This will include learning field-identification of weeds, pests and diseases of all the major crop groups in the UK. Further, it will teach how to prepare a programme for the control of weeds, pests and diseases within safe, economic and environmental parameters. An appreciation of the options between chemical types and formulations from different companies, of the benefits of treatment vs non-treatment, of symptom-analysis and tools for diagnosis and the weighting of benefits over remediation will all be covered within the framework of Health and Safety on the farm.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
This is a field/farm-based module of practicals and interactive discussions with the trainer. It exemplifies real, day-to-day commercial agronomy testing, sampling, dialogue and exploration of practical options for crop protection.
The syllabus is listed against topic, but the delivery will be spread throughout the year in order for the students to experience the differing challenges and treatment options as the crop grows, as the weather changes and as the markets vary.
- Soils: classification, structure, nutrient analysis, mapping (including yield mapping).
- Plant growth regulators: history of development, stem and root effects, case study of eg. the benefits of triazole (fungicide) in providing PGR effect.
- Oilseed Rape: Crop establishment techniques including Autocast and Direct Drilling. Control of weeds, pests and diseases. Desiccation and harvesting techniques.
- Cereal Agronomy (Wheat, Barley and Oats): variety selection, seed treatments, seed cleaning and seed rates. Weed control for grass weeds and broadleaf weeds. Disease and pest control. Awareness of strategies for managing resistance to herbicides and fungicides. Harvesting and storing.
- Sugar Beet: Weed, disease and pest control – options, treatments, applications and analysis of options.
- Potatoes: Weed, disease and pest control - options, treatments, applications and analysis of options.
- Peas, Beans Linseed: Weed, disease and pest control - options, treatments, applications and analysis of options.
- Use of farm sprayers: construction, mounted/trailed. Boom stability, nozzle selection, induction method for mixing, volumes of water. Personal protection equipment (PPE). Disposal of packaging. National Sprayer testing Scheme (NSTS). National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO)
- Legal requirements of written recommendations. Legislation on Label Approvals. Storage of crop protection products on farm and distribution premises. Crop Assurance schemes.
- Tutorial, revision and assessment day.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- To identify the main growth stages of arable crops and be aware of the agronomic operations required at each stage.
- To recognise, diagnose and propose solutions, for weed, pest and disease problems in arable crops.
- To evaluate the benefits of different crop protection options.
- To communicate diagnosis and remediation options.
Indicative reading list
- ADAS Crop Action progress notes (approx. 36 electronic issues per year)
- AHDB Recommended lists for cereals and oilseeds
- Lockhart & Wiseman’s Crop husbandry including grassland (9th edition, 2014). Ed’s Finch S, Samual A & Lane GP. Woodhead Publishing.
- The Agricultural Notebook (21st edition, 2014). Soffe RJ. Butterworths, London.
Subject specific skills
Identify the main growth stages of arable crops and be aware of the agronomic operations required at each stage
Identify the main growth stages of arable crops and be aware of the agronomic operations required at each stage
Recognise, diagnose and propose solutions, for weed, pest and disease problems in arable crops
Evaluate the benefits of different crop protection options and communicate diagnosis and remediation options
Transferable skills
Evaluation and communication
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 1 session of 1 hour (1%) |
| Seminars | 2 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Tutorials | 4 sessions of 1 hour (4%) |
| Practical classes | 7 sessions of 6 hours (42%) |
| Fieldwork | (0%) |
| Private study | 51 hours (51%) |
| Total | 100 hours |
Private study description
Independent research
Costs
| Category | Description | Funded by | Cost to student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field trips, placements and study abroad |
Must have suitable warm, waterproof outdoor clothing for field trips. |
Student | £50.00 |
| Field trips, placements and study abroad |
Transport |
Department | £0.00 |
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment of Field Skills and Knowledge | 100% | 25 hours | No |
|
A two-part in-module test to assess knowledge and field skills: (1) A written short-answer test, and (2) an oral examination. |
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Feedback on assessment
Field test. Feedback (and marks) are provided by two assessors. Feedback is provided within 20 days of submission.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of THRA-D4A2 Postgraduate Taught Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century