Assessor Resource

AHCIRG308
Monitor soils under irrigation

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor the impact of irrigation on the soil plant growing environment.

It applies to individuals who take responsibility for own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess the physical properties of an irrigated soil

1.1 Describe the profile of an irrigated soil

1.2 Determine soil texture and structure within the soil layers

1.3 Interpret tests for organic matter level in a soil

1.4 Test for slaking and dispersion in an irrigated soil

1.5 Assess the infiltration rate for an irrigated soil

1.6 Measure soil moisture levels

1.7 Describe the impacts of cultivation and watering practices on the physical properties of a soil

2. Define soil moisture properties

2.1 Describe soil moisture tension and its role in determining water availability to plants

2.2 Assess the field capacity of an irrigated soil

2.3 Observe the wilting point for a plant species in an irrigated soil

2.4 Calculate the readily available water (RAW) in an irrigated soil

3. Monitor soil chemical properties

3.1 Interpret soil test results for salinity and sodicity levels in an irrigated soil

3.2 Interpret pH tests and the potential impact of pH on soil structure and nutrient availability

4. Assess soil health and plant growth under irrigation

4.1 Assess the risk of erosion in an irrigated soil

4.2 Assess soil biology in an irrigated soil

4.3 Establish the growing requirements for a plant species

5. Implement strategies to optimise the irrigation growing environment for plants

5.1 Carry out soil husbandry practices to reduce risks of compaction and erosion

5.2 Implement and monitor a watering schedule

5.3 Adjust the frequency of watering based on available moisture, soil properties and plant response

5.4 Report soil and plant moisture status and irrigation requirement

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

adjust watering practices to meet plant needs

apply the results of soil testing to assessing soil properties

assess the erosion potential of an irrigated soil

assess the health of an irrigated soil

calculate moisture holding capacity of plants, including RAW

conduct soil structure and texture assessment

use soil moisture monitoring equipment

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

adverse environmental impacts of irrigated plant production

calculations for readily available water

critical measures for moisture availability

effect of dispersible soils under irrigation

field capacity

interpreting salinity, sodicity and pH tests

signs moisture stress & nutrient deficiency in plants

soil biology

soil moisture definitions and calculations

soil moisture monitoring procedures

soil structure and texture

types of erosion

wilting point

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess the physical properties of an irrigated soil

1.1 Describe the profile of an irrigated soil

1.2 Determine soil texture and structure within the soil layers

1.3 Interpret tests for organic matter level in a soil

1.4 Test for slaking and dispersion in an irrigated soil

1.5 Assess the infiltration rate for an irrigated soil

1.6 Measure soil moisture levels

1.7 Describe the impacts of cultivation and watering practices on the physical properties of a soil

2. Define soil moisture properties

2.1 Describe soil moisture tension and its role in determining water availability to plants

2.2 Assess the field capacity of an irrigated soil

2.3 Observe the wilting point for a plant species in an irrigated soil

2.4 Calculate the readily available water (RAW) in an irrigated soil

3. Monitor soil chemical properties

3.1 Interpret soil test results for salinity and sodicity levels in an irrigated soil

3.2 Interpret pH tests and the potential impact of pH on soil structure and nutrient availability

4. Assess soil health and plant growth under irrigation

4.1 Assess the risk of erosion in an irrigated soil

4.2 Assess soil biology in an irrigated soil

4.3 Establish the growing requirements for a plant species

5. Implement strategies to optimise the irrigation growing environment for plants

5.1 Carry out soil husbandry practices to reduce risks of compaction and erosion

5.2 Implement and monitor a watering schedule

5.3 Adjust the frequency of watering based on available moisture, soil properties and plant response

5.4 Report soil and plant moisture status and irrigation requirement

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

adjust watering practices to meet plant needs

apply the results of soil testing to assessing soil properties

assess the erosion potential of an irrigated soil

assess the health of an irrigated soil

calculate moisture holding capacity of plants, including RAW

conduct soil structure and texture assessment

use soil moisture monitoring equipment

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

adverse environmental impacts of irrigated plant production

calculations for readily available water

critical measures for moisture availability

effect of dispersible soils under irrigation

field capacity

interpreting salinity, sodicity and pH tests

signs moisture stress & nutrient deficiency in plants

soil biology

soil moisture definitions and calculations

soil moisture monitoring procedures

soil structure and texture

types of erosion

wilting point

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Describe the profile of an irrigated soil 
Determine soil texture and structure within the soil layers 
Interpret tests for organic matter level in a soil 
Test for slaking and dispersion in an irrigated soil 
Assess the infiltration rate for an irrigated soil 
Measure soil moisture levels 
Describe the impacts of cultivation and watering practices on the physical properties of a soil 
Describe soil moisture tension and its role in determining water availability to plants 
Assess the field capacity of an irrigated soil 
Observe the wilting point for a plant species in an irrigated soil 
Calculate the readily available water (RAW) in an irrigated soil 
Interpret soil test results for salinity and sodicity levels in an irrigated soil 
Interpret pH tests and the potential impact of pH on soil structure and nutrient availability 
Assess the risk of erosion in an irrigated soil 
Assess soil biology in an irrigated soil 
Establish the growing requirements for a plant species 
Carry out soil husbandry practices to reduce risks of compaction and erosion 
Implement and monitor a watering schedule 
Adjust the frequency of watering based on available moisture, soil properties and plant response 
Report soil and plant moisture status and irrigation requirement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG308 - Monitor soils under irrigation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG308 - Monitor soils under irrigation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: