Sector : AGRICULTURE

Qualification Title: AGRICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION NCII

Unit of Competency: PERFORM NURSERY OPERATION

Module Title: PERFORMING NURSERY OPERATIONS

Ed. Tabuñar’s Farm Learning Site

Ballesteros, Cagayan
 HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Welcome to the module “AGRICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION NC

II”. This module contains training materials and activities for you to
complete.
The unit of competency “Perform Nursery Operation” contains
knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for an Agricultural Crop
Production NC II course.
You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order
to complete each of the learning outcomes of the module. In each learning
outcome there are Information Sheets, Job Sheets, Operation Sheets and
Activity Sheets. Follow these activities on your own and answer the Self-
Check at the end of each learning activity.
This Module is an exploratory course which leads you to
Agricultural Crop Production National Certificate Level II ( NC II)1.

AGRICULTURAL Date Developed: Document No.

CROP Issued by:
PRODUCTION Date Revised:
NCII ETFLS Page 2 of 26
Developed by:
PERFORM JULIUS D.
NURSERY OANDASAN
PRODUCTION
 (Qualification Title)
COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING MATERIALS

List of Competencies

No. Unit of Competency Module Title Code

Perform Nursery Performing Nursery

AFF 610301
1.
Operations Operations

2. Plant Crops Planting Crops AFF 610302

Care and Maintain Caring and Maintaining

AFF 610303
3.
Crops Crops

Carrying-out harvest
Carry-out harvest and
4. and postharvest AFF 610304
postharvest operations
operations

AGRICULTURAL Date Developed: Document No.

CROP Issued by:
PRODUCTION Date Revised:
NCII ETFLS Page 3 of 26
Developed by:
PERFORM JULIUS D.
NURSERY OANDASAN
PRODUCTION
 References/Further Reading

Performance Criteria Checklist

Operation/Task/Job Sheet

Self-Check Answer Key

Self Check

Information Sheet

Learning Experiences

Learning Outcome Summary

Module
Module Content
Content

Module
List of Competencies
Content

Module Content

Module Content

Front Page
In our efforts to standardize CBLM, the
above parts are recommended for use
in Competency Based Training (CBT) in
Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA)
Technology Institutions. The next
sections will show you the components
and features of each part.

AGRICULTURAL Date Developed: Document No.

CROP Issued by:
PRODUCTION Date Revised:
NCII ETFLS Page 4 of 26
Developed by:
PERFORM JULIUS D.
NURSERY OANDASAN
PRODUCTION
 MODULE CONTENT

UNIT OF COMPETENCY: Perform Nursery Operations

MODULE TITLE: Performing Nursery Operations

MODULE DESCRIPTOR:

This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform
nursery operations for agricultural crops including establishing nursery
shed, preparation and handling of planting materials, preparation of growing
media, transplanting germinated seedlings and handling of nursery tools
and equipment.

NOMINAL DURATION:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this module you MUST be able to:
1. Prepare nursery tools, farm implements and simple equipment
2. Maintain nursery facilities
3. Handle seeds/planting material
4. Prepare growing media
5. Conduct propagation activities

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Tools, farm implements and simple equipment are prepared according
work requirements.
2. Basic pre-operative checking of tools, farm implements and equipment
is performed in accordance with manufacturer’s manual and GAP
standard
3. Tool with wear and corrosions are segregated and treated according
to maintenance plan and procedure
4. Nursery sanitation is maintained according to GAP standard.
5. Repair and maintenance of nursery facilities are performed to
maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.
6. Preventive measures are applied for inclement weather.
7. Safety measures are practice according to OSHS.
8. Planting materials are determined according to kinds and varieties.
9. Quality seeds are elected according to prescribed characteristics.
10. Seeds testing are conducted to determine the percentage germination
of the seed stock in accordance with the standard procedures.
11. Planting materials are treated following standard protocol.
12. Seed scarification is performed for germination purposes based on
type of crop.
13. Growing media are prepared according to prescribed mixture and
crop requirement.
14. Growing media are placed in prescribed containers according to crop
requirements.
15. Containers are arranged and labeled according to varieties/species.
16. Seedbed is prepared based on crop species.
17. Nursery shed is set-up according to plant requirement.
18. Quality seedlings are selected based on prescribed characteristics.
19. Propagation materials are selected according to propagation activity.
20. Plant propagation techniques are performed based on recommended
practices.
21. Germinated seedlings are maintained until fully established.
22. Pricking and thinking of seedlings are performed based on
recommended practices.
LEARNING OUTCOME NO. 1
(Prepare nursery tools, farm implements and simple
equipment)

Contents:

1. Proper handling of nursery tools, farm implements and simple

equipment.
2. Identification of tools and its usage.
3. Classification of tools according to its category of usage.
Assessment Criteria

1. Tools, farm implements and simple equipment are prepared according

work requirements.
2. Basic pre-operative checking of tools, farm implements and equipment
is performed in accordance with manufacturer’s manual and GAP
standard.
3. Tool with wear and corrosions are segregated and treated according
to maintenance plan and procedure.
Conditions

The participants will have access to:

1. Prepare tools, farm implements and simple equipment according to

work requirements.
2. Performed basic pre-operative checking of tools, farm implements and
equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual and GAP
standard.
3. Segregate and treat tools with wear and corrosion according to
maintenance plan and procedure.
Assessment Method:

1. Written Examination
2. Demonstration
3. Oral Questioning
4. Interview

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
 Learning Experiences
Learning Outcome 1
(Prepare nursery tools, farm implements and simple equipment)
Learning Activities
Read the Information Sheet
1.1-1 very well on Tools, farm
implements and simple
equipment then find out how
much you can remember and
how much you have learned
by doing the Self-check 1.1-1
Read Information Sheet 1.1-2
on how to pre- operate the
tools, farm implements and
equipment.
Demonstrate task sheet 1.1-2
on how to pre- operate the
tools, farm implements and
equipment. Based on
standard provide trainee’s
material to practice the task.
(Basic pre-operative of tools,
farm implements and
equipment)
Special Instructions
In terms of problems relating to the subject
matter or topic do not hesitate to approach
your trainer. Ask queries if you are in
doubt for clarification or verification. If you
feel you are knowledgeable on Tools, farm
implements and simple equipment you can
answer Self-Check 1.1-1.
If you scored 100% upon comparing your
answer to the Answer Key of Self-Check
1.1-2, you may now proceed to task Sheet
1.1-2, if not review the information sheet
and go over the Self-Check again.
In terms of problems relating to the subject
matter or topic do not hesitate to approach
your trainer. Ask queries if you are in
doubt for clarification or verification. If you
feel you are knowledgeable on
demonstrating on how to pre- operate the
tools, farm implements and equipment you
can answer Task Sheet No. 1.1-2.

Read Information Sheet 1.1-3 If you scored 100% upon comparing your
on plan and procedure of tool answer to the Answer Key of Self-Check
maintenance 1.1-3, you may now proceed to task Sheet
1.1-3, if not review the information sheet
and go over the Self-Check again.
Demonstrate task sheet 1.1-3 In terms of problems relating to the subject
on plan and procedure of tool matter or topic do not hesitate to approach
maintenance. Based on your trainer. Ask queries if you are in
standard provide trainee’s doubt for clarification or verification. If you
material to practice the task. feel you are knowledgeable on
demonstrating on plan and procedure of
tool maintenance you can answer Task
Sheet No. 1.1-3.

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
 Information Sheet 1.1-1

(Tools, farm implements and simple equipment)

Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. Classify what is the difference of tools, farm equipment and farm
implement.
2. Know the usage of different tools, farm equipment and farm
implements.
3. Determine the advantage of using tools, farm equipment and farm
implement.

Farm tools, implements, and equipment play very important role in

agricultural crop production. Their availability makes the work much easier
and faster. However, even if one may have the most sophisticated tools and
implements, but does not know how to use them, they are useless. In order
to do crop production operations successfully, one must have a good
working knowledge of the tools, implements and equipment before using
them.

Hand Tools

Hand tools are usually light and are used without the help of animals
or machines. They are being used in performing farm activities which involve
small areas like school garden and home garden.

Bolo is used for cutting tall grasses

and weeds and chopping branches
of trees.

Crowbar is used for digging big

holes and for digging out big stones
and stumps.

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
Pick-mattock is used for digging
canals, breaking hard topsoil and
for digging up stones and tree
stumps.

Grab-hoe is used for breaking hard

topsoil and pulverizing soil.

Spade is used for removing trash or

soil, digging canals or ditches and
mixing soil media.

Shovel is used in removing trash,

digging loose soil, moving soil from
one place to another and for mixing
soil media.

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
 Rake is used for cleaning the
ground and leveling the topsoil.

Spading fork is used for loosening the

soil, digging out root crops and
turning over the materials in a
compost heap.

Light hoe is used for loosening and

leveling soil and digging out furrows
for planting

Hand trowel is used for loosening the

soil around the growing plants and
putting small amount of manure
fertilizer in the soil.

Hand cultivator is used for cultivating

the garden plot by loosening the soil
and removing weeds around the plant.

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
 Hand fork is used for inter row
cultivation.

Pruning shears is for cutting branches

of planting materials and
unnecessary branches of plants.

Axe is for cutting bigger size post.

Knife is for cutting planting materials

and for performing other operations in
horticulture

Sprinklers – for watering seedlings and

young plants

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
 Water pails – for hauling water,
manure and fertilizers

Sprayers are for spraying insecticides, foliar fertilizers, fungicides and

herbicides

Wheel barrow is used for hauling

trash, manures, fertilizers, planting
materials and other equipment

Sickle is a hand-held agricultural tool

with a variously curved blade typically
used for cutting weeds.

Date Developed: Document No.

Trainers Issued by:
Methodology Level Date Revised:
I ETFLS
Developed by:
Templates
Farm Implements

These are accessories which are being pulled by working animals or

mounted to machineries (hand tractor, tractor) which are usually used in the
preparation of land. These are usually made of a special kind of metal.

Examples are:

1. Plows. These are farm implements either pulled by a working animal or a

tractor. The plow is specifically used for tilling large areas, making furrows
and inter row cultivation. Plows pulled by working animals are made of
either a combination of metal or wood or pure metal. They are used to till
areas with a shallower depth than that of the disc plows

which are pulled by tractors.

Native plow Disc plow

2. Harrow. The native wooden harrow is made of wood with a metal teeth and
pulled by a carabao while the disc harrow is made of metal mounted to a
tractor. Harrows are used for tilling and pulverizing the soil.

Native wooden harrow Disc harrow

3. Rotavatorv - is an implement mounted to a tractor used for tilling and

pulverized the soil.

Self- Check 1.1-1

Multiple Choice: Read the question carefully and select the best answer
by writing only the letter of your choice on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is an example of digging tool?
a. Knife
b. Bolo
c. Grab hoe
d. Pruning shear
e. Pruning saw
2. Which tools is use to cut tall grasses?
a. Crowbar
b. Pick-mattock
c. Bolo
d. Shovel
3. What tool does NOT belong to the group?
a. Crowbar
b. Pruning shear
c. Pick mattock
d. Shovel
4. Farm tools are very important in agricultural crop production except?
a. Make work easier
b. Save time and effort
c. Make work difficult to do
d. Make work faster
5. Blade flattened and the other pointed at right angles to its handle this
tool is _______?
a. Crowbar
b. Grab hoe
c. Pick mattock
d. Bolo
6. It resembles the appearance of a spoon and use for transferring soil to a
wheel barrow, and use to mix a soil media, this tool is?
a. Spading fork
b. Hand trowel
c. Grub hoe
d. Spade
 7. What implement is being pulled by a working animal to till the land?
a. Harrow
b. Native plow
c. Disc harrow
d. Disc plow
8. Mounted to a tractor that is used to pulverize the newly plowed soil,
this implements is?
a. Trailer
b. Wheel barrow
c. Disc plow
d. Disc harrow
9. This equipment used to transfer/transport things, it has two handles
and single wheel at the front?
a. Hand tractor
b. Basket
c. Wheel barrow
d. Tractor
10. This tool is used to harvest crops?
a. Spade
b. Basket
c. Knife
d. Bolo
 ANSWER KEY 1.1-1

1. C
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. C

Prepared by:
JULIUS D. OANDASAN

INFORMATION SHEET NO 1.1-2

(Basic pre-operative of tools, farm implements and equipment)

 These are machineries used in crop production. They are used in land
preparation and in transporting farm inputs and products. These equipment
need a highly skilled operator to use.

Hand tractor is used to pull a plow and harrow in preparing a large area of
land.

Four wheel tractor is used to pull disc plow and disc harrow in preparing
much bigger area of land.

Water pumps are used to draw irrigation water from a source.

Hand Tractor Four Wheel Tractor Water Pump

Thresh Corn Dehusker Rice harvester

Thresher Ride Seeder Miller

Self-check 1.1-2

Answer the following: Read the question carefully and identify which is
ask. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Define equipment. (4 points)

2. Give the specific uses and function of the following equipment:
 A. Hand tractor (3 points)
B. Four wheel tractor (3 points)
C. Water pump (3 points)

Answer key:

Equipment
-is something you cannot carry on your hand.
-is any kind of machinery used in farming and highly needed.

Hand tractor- is used to pull a plow and harrow in preparing a large area
of land.

Four wheel tractor is used to pull disc plow and disc harrow in preparing
much bigger area of land.

Water pumps are used to draw irrigation water from a source.

Prepared By:

JULIUS D. OANDASAN

INFORMATION SHEET NO 1.1-3

Plan and procedure of tool maintenance

Imagine that the long, hot summer vacation has finally come to an end
and it‘s the beginning of the school year and you are ready to start working
your vegetable gardens. But before that let us check first our tools,
implements and equipment you are going to use.
 Garbed with your working clothes and personal protective equipment
(PPE). Proceed to the shop to retrieve your tools so that you can start clearing
away the last remnants of summer and begin breaking the soil for a new year.
Imagine your frustration as you start pulling out all of your tools to see that
they are covered with dust and dirt that has hardened and crusty globs of oil
that have collected dust last vacation. It seems that you are going to spend
more time cleaning and repairing tools on this nice day than you will actually
use them.

How to Clean Your Tools and Equipment:

Let‘s start with the basics. Your shovel, spade, hoe, or even the blades
on a hedge trimmer will be a lot easier to use if you take a few minutes to
knock some of the rust off the blade. Not only will this extend the life of the
tool, but also it will cut through the soil better, and thus require less effort to
use, if it has a nice sharp blade. It is a good idea to keep a large whetstone in
your shop. A whetstone is an ideal tool to use to keep all of the cutting edges
of your garden tools honed. It will work well on your shovel, as well as many
other common garden tools.

The best way to use the stone is to find a way to stabilize the tool that
you want to work on. A bench vise is ideal. You will be able to clamp the tool
into place at an angle, so you can work on it. Clamping the garden tool into
place with a vise frees up both of your hands to use the whetstone and gives
you more control over what you are doing.

Apply a little bit of lubricating oil to the end of the tool and carefully
begin to work the stone over the blade. Maintain a 30degree angle between
the stone and the blade to form the ideal cutting edge for your tool. Not only
will the edge become sharper, but you will also be removing any pitting and
rust that has formed at the edge of your tool‘s blade.

In instances where the moving parts of your garden tools

 Such as with of any new pruners, shears, and loppers) have frozen in
place, like springs and pivot joints, you should disassemble them first
carefully break free any rust or dirt that may keep the tool from functioning
properly. Clean accumulated rust and dirt off all metal
surfaces with a wire brush. Remove stubborn rust from
small tools with fine steel wool. Using an old toothbrush
with some lightweight lubricating oil is
a great way to work fresh oil into the
joints of most garden tools. Not only
will this fresh oil helps your tool to
work as it was intended, but it will also prevent the
formation of rust. Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove
rust on larger tools such as shovels, spades, and hoes.

Once your tools are cleaned, they're ready to be

sharpened. When sharpening, try to maintain the original
factory bevel or angle. For pruners, use a whetstone
because it produces a very sharp cutting edge. Depending
on the type of whetstone, apply a few drops of oil or water to
the stone. With the bevelled side of the blade against the
stone, rub the sharp edge of the blade toward the stone in a
curved motion, as if you were trying to shave off a thin slice
from the stone.

When working with a file, stabilize the blades in a vise or against a solid
surface such as a work bench to avoid injury and ensure an even stroke.
Always push the file across the blade in a motion away from your body. Move
the file diagonally, so that its cutting teeth are biting into the metal on the
tool. When sharpening with a file, do not use oil; metal filings will accumulate
and clog the file's serrations.

Farm implements like ordinary plow and wooden harrow should be

checked thoroughly before use. Loosened bolts and nuts should be tightened
firmly. Disc plow and harrow should also be lubricated on their moving parts
like bearings. Tractors should be tuned-up very well by skilled operator.
Check on their oil, lubricant, fuel and cooling system.

Tools that are worn out should be separated and be fixed immediately
to avoid accident

SELF-CHECK 1.1-3

TRUE OR FALSE: Read and analyze each statement below. Write true if the
statement is correct; False if the statement is incorrect on the space provided
for.
_____1.The best way to use the stone is to find a way to stabilize the tool that
you want to work on.
_____2.Tools that are worn out should be separated and be fixed immediately
to avoid accident.
_____3. When sharpening, try to maintain the original factory bevel or angle.
_____4. Always push the file across the blade in a motion away from your
body.
_____5. Clean accumulated rust and dirt off all metal surfaces with a wire
brush.
_____6. Move the file diagonally, so that its cutting teeth are biting into the
metal on the tool.
_____7. Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove rust on larger tools such as
shovels, spades, and hoes.
_____8. When sharpening with a file, do not use oil; metal filings will
accumulate and clog the file's serrations.
_____9.Oil will help tools to work as intended and will prevent the formation of
rust.
____10.For pruners, use a whetstone because it produces a very sharp cutting
edge.

Prepared by:
JULIUS D. OANDASAN

ANSWER KEY
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

Prepared by:
JULIUS D. OANDASAN
 TASK SHEET 1.1-1
Title: Proper Use of Shovel

Performance Objective: Given the necessary tools, materials and

equipment, you should be able to perform the
proper use of shovel. Allotted time (2 hours).
Supplies/Materials:
• Footwear
• Long pants
• Gloves
• Rag
• Shovel

Steps/Procedure:
1. Keep feet wide apart. Place front foot close to shovel.
2. Put weight on front foot. Use leg to push shovel.
3. Shift weight to rear foot. Keep load close to body.
4. Turn feet in direction of throw
5. Perform house keeping

Assessment Method :
Demonstration With Oral Questioning

Prepare by:
JULIUS D. OANDASAN

Performance Criteria Checklist 1.1-1

CRITERIA
Did you…. Yes No
Proper distance of the feet from each other 
The weight is on front foot 
The load is close to your body 
Direction of the feet when throwing load 
Practice good housekeeping 

Prepared By:
JULIUS D. OANDASAN