Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:44 PM AWST
23/07/2026 9:44 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Monitor soils under irrigation
Monitor soils under irrigation
Unit of competency
National Code
AHCIRG308A
AHCIRG308A
State Code
WE014
WE014
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/06/2014
Field of Education
059999 - Agriculture, Environmental And Related Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
24/06/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This Unit covers the skills and knowledge required to monitor the impact of irrigation on the soil plant growing environment, and to provide for the needs of irrigated plants. The Unit requires the ability to assess the physical and chemical properties of irrigated soils; assess the capacity of the soil to hold plant available moisture; monitor and adjust soil moisture levels; estimate plant watering requirements; and report on irrigated plant growth issues.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Assess the physical properties of an irrigated soil
- 1.1 The profile of an irrigated soil is described
- 1.2 Soil texture and structure within the soil layers is determined
- 1.3 Tests for organic matter level in a soil are interpreted
- 1.4 Test for slaking and dispersion in an irrigated soil is undertaken
- 1.5 The infiltration rate for an irrigated soil is assessed
- 1.6 Soil moisture levels are measured
- 1.7 The impacts of cultivation and watering practices on the physical properties of a soil are described
2 Define soil moisture properties using industry terms
- 2.1 Soil moisture tension and its role in determining water availability to plants is described
- 2.2 The field capacity of an irrigated soil is assessed
- 2.3 The wilting point for a plant species in an irrigated soil is observed
- 2.4 Readily available water (RAW) in an irrigated soil is calculated
3 Monitor soil chemical properties
- 3.1 Soil test results for salinity and sodicity levels in an irrigated soil is interpreted
- 3.2 pH tests and the potential impact of pH on soil structure and nutrient availability is interpreted
4 Assess soil health and plant growth under irrigation
- 4.1 The risk of erosion in an irrigated soil is assessed
- 4.2 An assessment of soil biology in an irrigated soil is carried out
- 4.3 The growing requirements for a plant species is established
5 Implement strategies to optimise the irrigation growing environment for plants
- 5.1 Soil husbandry practices to reduce risks of compaction and erosion are undertaken
- 5.2 Watering schedule is implemented and monitored
- 5.3 Frequency of watering is adjusted if necessary, based on available moisture, soil properties and plant response
- 5.4 Soil and plant moisture status and irrigation requirement is reported to supervisor
The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Irrigation systems may include:
low volume irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation
sprinkler irrigation
moving sprinkler irrigation
surface irrigation.
Interpretation of soil tests may include:
field measurements of moisture levels, infiltration rate and organic matter levels.
Soil assessment may include:
physical tests for soil structure and texture, slaking and dispersion.
Soil moisture measuring equipment may include:
tensiometers
gypsum blocks
watermark
capacitance probes
neutron probes.
Irrigation systems may include:
low volume irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation
sprinkler irrigation
moving sprinkler irrigation
surface irrigation.
Interpretation of soil tests may include:
field measurements of moisture levels, infiltration rate and organic matter levels.
Soil assessment may include:
physical tests for soil structure and texture, slaking and dispersion.
Soil moisture measuring equipment may include:
tensiometers
gypsum blocks
watermark
capacitance probes
neutron probes.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
assess the physical and chemical properties of irrigated soils
assess the capacity of the soil to hold plant available moisture
monitor and adjust soil moisture levels
estimate plant watering requirements
report on irrigated plant production issues.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
assess the physical and chemical properties of irrigated soils
assess the capacity of the soil to hold plant available moisture
monitor and adjust soil moisture levels
estimate plant watering requirements
report on irrigated plant production issues.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAN26 | AHCIRG308 | Monitor soils under irrigation | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J156 | AHC32412 | Certificate III in Irrigation | Qualification |
| J269 | AHC33412 | Certificate III in Seed Production | Qualification |