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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Monitor crop and plant water use
   • Estimate or measure water use from one or more systems
   • Accumulate water as a soil water deficit in the root zone
2. Apply a measured amount of water
   • Predict a pre-determined deficit using a scheduling system
   • Apply irrigation to partly or fully replace the deficit
   • Increase water quantities where appropriate to ensure dilution and transport of toxic solutes below the root zone
3. Assess efficacy of irrigation and repeat cycles of irrigation
   • Measure the effectiveness of irrigation application with in-field equipment
   • Adjust the estimated soil moisture level in scheduling system to match that measured
   • Recalibrate the scheduling system where necessary
   • Repeat cycles of irrigation until schedule is correctly established
4. Record irrigation and scheduling parameters
   • Record each irrigation and significant rainfall event, plus other appropriate parameters used in scheduling system
   • Estimate and record drainage amount below root zone at each irrigation
   • Record system performance data
5. Plan for extremes of weather
   • Modify estimated deficits to cater for any prolonged saturation following heavy rainfall
   • Alter shift areas, and where applicable, application rates, to suit appropriate irrigation schedules that minimise frost damage
   • Implement strategies involving prioritising of plants and crops and intermittent irrigation at times of extreme heat

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

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:

apply a measured amount of water

assess the efficacy of irrigation and repeat cycles of irrigation

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

monitor crop and plant water use

plan for extremes of weather

record irrigation and scheduling parameters

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

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

in-field irrigation reticulation performance and its capacity limits

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

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

plant and 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

relevant environmental policies and procedures

water authority standards and procedures

water quality monitoring methods and acceptable quality limits

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

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