Pancyprian TS Organic Ag (Pract.) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Four IFOAM principles

Health, ecology, fairness and care. They guide organic decisions on soil, biodiversity, animal welfare and social responsibility rather than prescribing specific inputs.

EU organic regulation 2018/848

The EU legal framework for organic production and labelling that replaced Regulation 834/2007 and applies from 1 January 2022 across all member states.

95% ingredient rule

The EU organic logo may be used only when at least 95% by weight of agricultural ingredients are organic; the remaining 5% must be authorised in the annexes.

In-conversion labelling

Products harvested after at least 12 months of conversion for annual crops, or 24 months for perennials, may be labelled as 'in conversion to organic'.

Certificate of conformity

Document issued by the control body listing the operator, address, product categories, certified area and validity dates; buyers verify it on the public register.

Target soil pH

Most organic field crops perform best at pH 6.0-7.0; below 5.5 phosphorus availability falls and aluminium toxicity can restrict root growth.

C:N ratio and immobilisation

Ratios above about 25:1 cause microbes to tie up nitrogen temporarily; ratios below 15:1 release nitrogen quickly for the following crop.

Legume nitrogen fixation

Green manures such as vetch and clover fix roughly 50-200 kg N/ha per season, depending on species, biomass and soil conditions.

Soil spade test

Digging a spade-depth block reveals compaction layers, root depth, earthworm activity and structure; a simple field method for monitoring soil health.

Thermophilic composting temperature

Piles must reach 55-65 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days when turned, or five days in static piles, to kill pathogens and weed seeds.

Compost moisture target

Maintain 50-60% moisture; a squeeze test should release a few drops. Too dry stops microbial activity, too wet causes anaerobic conditions and odour.

Manure nitrogen limit

EU organic rules cap livestock manure at 170 kg N per hectare per year, which also limits stocking density across the whole holding.

Compost maturity indicators

Dark colour, earthy smell, C:N near 10-15:1, stable temperature after turning and no recognisable feedstock except woody fragments indicate mature compost.

Rotation family rule

Never grow crops of the same botanical family in the same bed in consecutive years; a three to four year return interval limits soil-borne disease.

Blind harrowing

Weeding with a tine harrow before the crop emerges, when weed seeds have germinated but the crop is still below the soil surface.

Stale seedbed technique

Prepare a seedbed, allow weeds to germinate, then destroy them with shallow cultivation or flame before sowing the crop to reduce weed pressure.

IPM hierarchy

Prevention first, then monitoring with thresholds, then biological control, and authorised plant protection products only as a last resort.

Copper application cap

Organic rules limit copper compounds to a maximum of 6 kg per hectare per year and 28 kg per hectare over seven years.

Bacillus thuringiensis use

A biological insecticide effective against lepidopteran larvae; it must be eaten, so apply to foliage in the evening to limit UV breakdown.

Pheromone mating disruption

Synthetic pheromone dispensers saturate the air so males cannot locate females, reducing mating and larval damage in orchards.

Ruminant pasture access

Organic cattle, sheep and goats must have access to pasture or a roughage area whenever weather and ground conditions permit; permanent housing is not allowed.

Allopathic treatment rule

Synthetic allopathic medicines are restricted; after treatment the withdrawal period is doubled and a maximum of three courses per animal per year applies.

Minimum weaning ages

Calves must not be weaned before three months, lambs and kids before 45 days, and piglets before 40 days under organic rules.

Crop evapotranspiration formula

ETc equals ET0 multiplied by the crop coefficient Kc; irrigation replaces ETc minus effective rainfall for the scheduling period.

Drip irrigation efficiency

Drip delivers roughly 90% of applied water to the root zone, compared with 70-80% for sprinklers and 50-60% for furrow systems.

Riparian buffer strip

A 5-10 m uncultivated strip of grass or shrubs along a watercourse that traps sediment, nutrients and plant protection products before they reach water.

Tractor stability rules

Keep the centre of gravity low, widen the wheel track on slopes and avoid sharp turns at speed; use ROPS and a seatbelt at all times.

PTO speed standards

Tractor power take-off shafts run at 540 or 1000 rpm; implements and guards must match the rated speed to avoid damage or injury.

Spreader calibration

Measure output per metre travelled against a tray test; for 200 kg/ha with a 4 m spreader the target is 0.08 kg per metre.

Ethylene separation in storage

Store ethylene producers such as apples and tomatoes away from sensitive crops like leafy greens, cucumbers and carrots to prevent premature ripening and spoilage.

One-up one-down traceability

Records must identify the immediate supplier and the immediate buyer of each lot, linking harvest date, field and delivery note for recall purposes.

Heat stress warning signs

Confusion, headache, nausea and cessation of sweating indicate heat stroke; stop work, cool the person and seek medical help immediately.