Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What plant species may be appropriate to this standard?
Plant species may include tree, shrub and ornamental plant species, fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, foliage, bulbs, tubers, nuts, mushrooms, wild harvest and oil crops, containerised, field planted and stock specimens, indigenous and exotic species and varieties, and turf species.

What characteristics of the growing environment may affect plant health?
Characteristics may include soil, nutrition, light exposure, water, humidity, temperature, wind, and weed, pest and disease populations.

What pests and diseases may be relevant to this standard?
Pests and diseases may include insects, viruses, bacterial or fungal diseases, mites and nematodes.

What plant disorders and problems may be relevant to this standard?
These may include any damage or deficiency caused by physical, biological, chemical, cultural or environmental agents.

What weeds may affect plant health?
Weeds include those plants occurring regionally, statewide or nationally that may present a high risk to the enterprises production, presentation or business goals.

What procedures may be included in a control program to promote plant health?
Control procedures may include chemical controls, biological controls, cultural methods and Integrated Pest Management.

What resources may be required to promote plant health?
Physical resources may include materials to modify soil pH, soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility, fertilisers to meet the nutritional requirements of plants, and weed, pest and disease control materials. Human resources may include paid labour, contractors, suppliers and consultants.

What tools, equipment and machinery may be required to promote plant health?
Tools, equipment and machinery will vary widely to enable the implementation of soil and plant monitoring, weed, pest and disease control, irrigation and scheduling, application of nutrients, soil management, canopy management, controlled environments, data collection, analysis and recording.

What OHS hazards may be relevant to this standard?
Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, air-, water- and soil-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, and slippery and uneven surfaces.

What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards?
Controls should be introduced according to enterprise OHS policies and procedures and may include identifying hazards; assessing and reporting risks; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers; basic first aid available on site; personal hygiene, and reporting problems to supervisors.

What modifications to growing conditions may be employed to promote plant health?
Modifications to growing conditions may include Regulated Deficit Irrigation, canopy management, controlled environments, soil cultivation, nutrition programs, soil ameliorants, and cover crops.

What sustainable horticultural practices may be considered when promoting plant health?
These may include horticultural practices which minimise detrimental environmental impacts and optimise beneficial environmental impacts, such as IPM, targeted, minimal irrigation and nutrition techniques, the minimisation of weed dispersal into the surrounding environment through effective weed control within the enterprise, and consideration of non-chemical products and/or cultural alternatives for pest control and plant nutrition.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in promoting plant health requires evidence that a person is able to recognise and monitor the factors affecting plant health, diagnose plant health problems, implement suitable remedies and evaluate their effectiveness.The skills and knowledge required to promote plant health must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, a person who can differentiate between pest and disease and nutrient associated symptoms in specific plant species, and implement treatment programs to remedy the diagnosed health problems, should be able to develop a plant nutrition program and implement an IPM program within the same enterprise or after induction to a new workplace.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

taxonomic descriptions, horticultural function, cultural and growth requirements, and target growth and performance characteristics of specific horticultural plants for the achievement of enterprise production and business plans
plant nutrition issues associated with the growth media used, and horticultural region for specific plant species
weeds, pests and disease detection methods, taxonomic identification, life cycle stages and characteristic symptoms for the specific horticultural plants of the enterprise
chemical, cultural and biological control methods included in the IPM strategy of the enterprise
chemical use, toxicity and compatibility with target plants, growth media, and environmental characteristics of the horticultural region
sustainable horticultural practices relevant to the enterprise and/or horticultural region
evaluation procedures, including cost/benefit analysis, for plant and growth media treatments in relation to plant health, enterprise budget and performance targets
enterprise and industry record keeping and reporting policies and requirements
OHS hazards associated with activties to promote plant health and the controls necessary to remove or minimise risks associated with them.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

communicate orally with staff, supervisors, contractors, suppliers and consultants
research information about plant health problems, their diagnosis and remedial treatments available
document plans and write reports for the understanding of staff, supervisors and contractors
calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the plant health program
record all relevant information according to enterprise and industry standards
comply with legislative requirements
comply with OHS requirements of the workplace.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Proforma documentation and oral consultation procedures may be used to communicate with the manager, other team members, suppliers, contractors and consultants, about plant health requirements, analytical results, product selection, scheduling and treatment evaluation. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information will need to be obtained from test results, research and/or suppliers of treatment materials and plants. Information addressing the specific requirements for plant health should be analysed and outcomes discussed with the manager, other team members, suppliers, contractors and consultants. Information about treatment activities should be organised and presented as written work procedures, with a timeline chart and schedules for the plant health program. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Organisation of self and others will be required to deliver timely and appropriate information from initial analytical activities to decision-making about causes, resources, treatments and their evaluation. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Work activities to monitor and maintain or improve plant health will involve working with other members of a team to achieve the desired outcomes. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts will be required to measure quantities, distances, depth, and calculate areas, resources, costs, ratios and application rates. (3)

Solving problems
Problems relating to testing, the plant symptoms presented, the health requirements of plants, nature of the site, analytical and treatment techniques, availability of resources, tools, equipment and machinery, costs, environmental issues, and monitoring of the treatment program may arise during the promotion of plant health and require remedial action. (3)

Using technology
Technology will be required to record, store and communicate ideas and information. It will also be used to research relevant information, obtain and analyse data from testing and treatment evaluation procedures, and apply treatments. (3)