Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

analysis of chemical characteristics such as:
acidity or alkalinity (pH)
cation exchange capacity
nutrient and carbonate content
salinity
on-site testing and off-site analysis of growth media to determine physical characteristics such as:
colour
depth of root zone
depth of watertable
plant available water
soil organic matter
structure
texture
testing nutrient status of plants through:
establishing likely effects on soil chemical and physical characteristics
plant tissue testing
testing water for suitability for plant growth.

new areas to be planted
soil sites of existing planted areas
other growing media.

bulbs
containerised, field planted and stock specimens
flowers and foliage
fruit and vegetables
herbs
indigenous and exotic species and varieties
mushrooms
nuts
oil crops
pasture, broadacre cropping plants and turf species
tree, shrub and ornamental plant species
tubers
vines and canes
wild harvest.

crop load
crop quality requirements
cropping and fertiliser history
grazing intensity
growth media characteristics
irrigation methods and scheduling
seasonal influences
soil management practices
spraying program
weather.

animal manures
composts
cover crops
gypsum
lime
materials to modify soil pH
mulches
soil amendments to improve chemical, physical and/or biological properties of soil to meet requirements of plant production.

aerial photographs, charts and tables of soil characteristics and plant soil parameters
application equipment and machinery such as:
air blowers
backpack spray equipment
irrigation systems set up for fertigation
pumps and pump fittings
rippers and spray equipment
seeders
tractors and trailed or three-point linkage spreaders
backhoe
charts and illustrations of symptoms of plant nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
hand-held salinity or electrical conductivity meter
hand or powered auger
nutrient application methods, including placement methods such as:
banding
broadcasting
ripping
spraying and fertigation on or below soil surface
pH test kit or electronic pH testing device
plastic overlays
sample bags
tape measure.

air
chemicals and hazardous substances
disturbance or interruption of services
dust
incorrect manual handling
machinery and machinery parts
moving vehicles
noise
sharp hand tools and equipment
slippery and uneven surfaces
soil and water-borne micro-organisms
solar radiation.

appropriate use of personal protective equipment, including sun protection
appropriate use of safety equipment, including signage and protective barriers
assessing and reporting risks
basic first aid available on site
cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery
correct manual handling
identifying hazards
maintaining personal hygiene
reporting problems to supervisors
safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances
safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery.

beneficial impacts, including minimisation of nutrient run-off and toxic side effects in soil and surrounding environment achieved by:
improved application techniques and rates
improved assessment and targeting of nutrient requirements
reduction of toxic side effects of applied nutrients in crop plants
negative impacts, including over-spraying or run-off into external environment resulting in nutrient overload or excess water affecting things such as:
loading atmosphere with greenhouse gas
mining native soil fertility
native plants
natural waterways
salinisation
water erosion
water logging
watertables and ecosystems
methods which may aid in reversal of environmental degradation include:
allowing natural recovery and regeneration of native ecosystems
responsible fertilisation and watering practices.

adjustments to soil amendments
changes to fertiliser application and soil management practices
irrigation scheduling
nutrient application rates and methods
use of foliar sprays.

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
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

access and analyse information on regional and site factors
select suitable management practices, soil amendments and fertilisers
determine analytical and appropriate application techniques
prepare resources and equipment for application of nutritional materials
prepare implementation plans, specifications and associated documents.

Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in the workplace or in normal work conditions.
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop a soil health and plant nutrition program.

The candidate must also have access to the following resources:

soil, plant and water interpretation criteria
analytical results
site and operational information
soil amendment product specifications and performance data
fertiliser labels, product cards and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
reference books.

Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to develop a soil health and plant nutrition program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work with new crop or pasture species not usually produced in the local area, crops for which there are little or no local interpretative criteria, or new fertiliser products.