Assessor Resource

AHCPCM301
Implement a plant nutrition program

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and control the nutritional requirements of and applications to plants across a range of situations and environments.

It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their 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. Prepare for implementation of the plant nutrition program

1.1 Identify goals, target site, soils, plant species and varieties for implementing the program

1.2 Identify materials for soil and plant treatments and locate the storage site or supplier details

1.3 Locate services using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor

1.4 Identify work health and safety hazard, assess risks and implement control measures

1.5 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

2. Monitor soil pH

2.1 Monitor soil pH in the implementation site in relation to plant nutrition

2.2 Identify, select, compare and source products useful in changing soil pH

2.3 Assess product application methods according to product type and type of growing media

3. Determine nutritional problems in plants

3.1 Identify common nutrient deficiency and toxicity problems in plants, using visual inspection

3.2 Consult supervisor or horticulturist, as required, to determine causes of nutritional or toxicity problems

3.3 Identify, compare, select and source soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility

4. Prepare to use fertilisers

4.1 Select a fertiliser that is compatible with plant species and type of growing media

4.2 Assess fertiliser application methods, taking into account the fertiliser type, soils and the environmental implications

4.3 Apply fertilisers appropriate to the plant growing cycle and the organisation’s fertiliser calendar

5. Prepare application equipment

5.1 Select tools, equipment and machinery

5.2 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

5.3 Calibrate tools, equipment and machinery

6. Apply specific products at appropriate rates

6.1 Select specific products based on their analysis to meet plant needs

6.2 Calculate product application rates to optimise plant benefit and minimise environmental impact

6.3 Apply specific products at the correct rate, timing and method according to the product type and analysis and with consideration of the environmental implications

6.4 Record product applications

6.5 Monitor, document and report target plant response to the plant nutrition program, as well as non-target effects responses including environmental impacts or pests

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify goals, target site, soils and plants for implementing the program

identify materials and their supply source

monitor soil pH in the implementation site

identify appropriate products and application methods appropriate to implementing nutrition program

estimate treatment and product requirements, material sizes and quantities

conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment

determine nutritional problems in plants

plant nutrition program specifications

apply specific products at appropriate rates and record their application

select, check and calibrate tools, equipment and machinery

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of plant nutrition

botany and plant physiology

methods of nutrient uptake by plants

nutrient cycling and its practical relevance to the specific plants and soils

nutrients required by plants grown within the enterprise

soil ameliorants commonly required to treat the soil problems experienced by the enterprise

the effects of nutrient deficiency and toxicity on plant species and varieties

the environmental implications of soil ameliorant and fertiliser use

the main simple and compound fertiliser products available to the enterprise including analysis, solubility, salt index, application rates and costs

the relationship between soil characteristics and the availability of nutrients

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. Prepare for implementation of the plant nutrition program

1.1 Identify goals, target site, soils, plant species and varieties for implementing the program

1.2 Identify materials for soil and plant treatments and locate the storage site or supplier details

1.3 Locate services using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor

1.4 Identify work health and safety hazard, assess risks and implement control measures

1.5 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

2. Monitor soil pH

2.1 Monitor soil pH in the implementation site in relation to plant nutrition

2.2 Identify, select, compare and source products useful in changing soil pH

2.3 Assess product application methods according to product type and type of growing media

3. Determine nutritional problems in plants

3.1 Identify common nutrient deficiency and toxicity problems in plants, using visual inspection

3.2 Consult supervisor or horticulturist, as required, to determine causes of nutritional or toxicity problems

3.3 Identify, compare, select and source soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility

4. Prepare to use fertilisers

4.1 Select a fertiliser that is compatible with plant species and type of growing media

4.2 Assess fertiliser application methods, taking into account the fertiliser type, soils and the environmental implications

4.3 Apply fertilisers appropriate to the plant growing cycle and the organisation’s fertiliser calendar

5. Prepare application equipment

5.1 Select tools, equipment and machinery

5.2 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

5.3 Calibrate tools, equipment and machinery

6. Apply specific products at appropriate rates

6.1 Select specific products based on their analysis to meet plant needs

6.2 Calculate product application rates to optimise plant benefit and minimise environmental impact

6.3 Apply specific products at the correct rate, timing and method according to the product type and analysis and with consideration of the environmental implications

6.4 Record product applications

6.5 Monitor, document and report target plant response to the plant nutrition program, as well as non-target effects responses including environmental impacts or pests

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify goals, target site, soils and plants for implementing the program

identify materials and their supply source

monitor soil pH in the implementation site

identify appropriate products and application methods appropriate to implementing nutrition program

estimate treatment and product requirements, material sizes and quantities

conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment

determine nutritional problems in plants

plant nutrition program specifications

apply specific products at appropriate rates and record their application

select, check and calibrate tools, equipment and machinery

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of plant nutrition

botany and plant physiology

methods of nutrient uptake by plants

nutrient cycling and its practical relevance to the specific plants and soils

nutrients required by plants grown within the enterprise

soil ameliorants commonly required to treat the soil problems experienced by the enterprise

the effects of nutrient deficiency and toxicity on plant species and varieties

the environmental implications of soil ameliorant and fertiliser use

the main simple and compound fertiliser products available to the enterprise including analysis, solubility, salt index, application rates and costs

the relationship between soil characteristics and the availability of nutrients

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
Identify goals, target site, soils, plant species and varieties for implementing the program 
Identify materials for soil and plant treatments and locate the storage site or supplier details 
Locate services using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor 
Identify work health and safety hazard, assess risks and implement control measures 
Select and use suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Monitor soil pH in the implementation site in relation to plant nutrition 
Identify, select, compare and source products useful in changing soil pH 
Assess product application methods according to product type and type of growing media 
Identify common nutrient deficiency and toxicity problems in plants, using visual inspection 
Consult supervisor or horticulturist, as required, to determine causes of nutritional or toxicity problems 
Identify, compare, select and source soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility 
Select a fertiliser that is compatible with plant species and type of growing media 
Assess fertiliser application methods, taking into account the fertiliser type, soils and the environmental implications 
Apply fertilisers appropriate to the plant growing cycle and the organisation’s fertiliser calendar 
Select tools, equipment and machinery 
Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery 
Calibrate tools, equipment and machinery 
Select specific products based on their analysis to meet plant needs 
Calculate product application rates to optimise plant benefit and minimise environmental impact 
Apply specific products at the correct rate, timing and method according to the product type and analysis and with consideration of the environmental implications 
Record product applications 
Monitor, document and report target plant response to the plant nutrition program, as well as non-target effects responses including environmental impacts or pests 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPCM301 - Implement a plant nutrition program
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

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPCM301 - Implement a plant nutrition program

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:

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