Assessor Resource

AHCIRG408A
Schedule irrigations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit relates to scheduling for an irrigation system will be carried out without supervision but with general guidance on progress.

This unit covers the process of determining the timing and amount of each irrigation to meet crop or plant needs and environmental requirements, and defines the standard required to: use and maintain in-field equipment that monitors the plant environment; incorporate data from monitoring sources into scheduling systems; monitor crop/plant water use; assess efficacy of irrigation; record irrigation and scheduling parameters; plan for extremes of weather.

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

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

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:

use and maintain in-field equipment that monitors the plant environment

incorporate data from monitoring sources into scheduling systems

monitor crop/plant water use

assess efficacy of irrigation

record irrigation and scheduling parameters

plan for extremes of weather

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.

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.

Required skills

use and maintain in-field equipment that monitors the plant environment

incorporate data from monitoring sources (such as in-field equipment and remote sources) into scheduling systems that compute irrigation requirement

monitor crop/plant water use

apply a measured amount of water

assess efficacy of irrigation and repeat cycles of irrigation

record irrigation and scheduling parameters

plan for extremes of weather

follow environmental procedures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

inter-relationship between plant, soil and the aerial environments in the determination of water budgets

plant/crop response to moisture stress at different stages of growth

possible adverse impacts on the crop and environment from inefficient scheduling or unpredictable weather effects

recognition of moisture stress effects (sometimes desired) on plants

physical soil characteristics such as infiltration rate, water holding capacity and wetted volume in the root zone

weather forecasting of extreme weather events such as heat waves, frosts and storms, and appropriate contingency tactics to minimise impacts

in-field irrigation reticulation performance and its capacity limits

water quality monitoring methods and acceptable quality limits

water authority standards and procedures

enterprise and environmental policies and procedures.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Types of irrigation systems may include:

micro

spray

gravity fed

border check systems

Irrigation systems may range from:

manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

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
Water use is measured or estimated from one or more systems. 
Water is accumulated as a soil water deficit in the root zone. 
A pre-determined deficit is predicted using a scheduling system(s). 
Irrigation is applied to partly or fully replace the deficit. 
Where appropriate, water quantities are increased to ensure dilution and transport of toxic solutes below the root zone. 
Effectiveness of irrigation application with in-field equipment is measured. 
The estimated soil moisture level in scheduling system is adjusted to match that measured. 
Where necessary, the scheduling system(s) is recalibrated. 
Cycles of irrigation are repeated until schedule is correctly established. 
Each irrigation and significant rainfall event, plus other appropriate parameters used in scheduling system, are recorded. 
Drainage amount below root zone at each irrigation is estimated and recorded. 
System performance data is recorded. 
Estimated deficits are modified to cater for any prolonged saturation following heavy rainfall. 
Shift areas, and where applicable, application rates, are altered to suit appropriate irrigation schedules that minimise frost damage. 
Strategies involving prioritising of plants/crops and intermittent irrigation are implemented at times of extreme heat. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG408A - Schedule irrigations
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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG408A - Schedule irrigations

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: