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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for implementation of the plant nutrition program
   • Goals, target site, soils and plant species and varieties are identified.
   • Materials for soil and plant treatments are identified and the storage site or supplier details located.
   • Services are located using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor.
   • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed, controls implemented.
   • Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.
2. Monitor soil pH
   • Soil pH in the implementation site is monitored in relation to plant nutrition.
   • Products useful in changing soil pH are identified, compared, selected and sourced.
   • Product application methods are assessed according to product type and type of growing media.
3. Determine nutritional problems in plants
   • Common nutrient deficiency and toxicity problems in plants are identified using visual inspection.
   • The supervisor and/or horticulturist are consulted, as required, to determine causes of nutritional or toxicity problems.
   • Soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility are identified, compared, selected and sourced.
4. Prepare to use fertilisers
   • The fertiliser to be used is selected according to plant species and type of growing media.
   • Fertiliser application methods are assessed according to fertiliser type, soils, enterprise work procedures, and in due consideration of the environmental implications.
   • Fertilisers are applied according to the plant growing cycle and the enterprise fertiliser calendar.
5. Prepare application equipment
   • Tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to enterprise work procedures.
   • Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers specifications and documented work procedures.
   • Tools, equipment and machinery are calibrated and adjusted according to manufacturer's guidelines.
6. Apply specific products at appropriate rates
   • Specific products are selected based on their analysis to meet plant needs according to enterprise work procedures.
   • Product application rates are calculated to optimise plant benefit and minimise environmental impact according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise work procedures.
   • Specific products are applied at the correct rate, timing and method according to the product type and analysis, manufacturers specifications, enterprise work procedures, and in due consideration of the environmental implications.
   • Product applications are recorded according to enterprise work procedures.
   • Target plant response to the plant nutrition program, as well as any non-target effects such as environmental impact or pest responses are monitored, documented and reported to the supervisor.

Required Skills

Required skills

communicate with work team members supervisors contractors and suppliers interpret manufacturers and plant nutrition program specifications utilise proforma reporting analysis and work procedure documents understand labels and symbols estimate treatment and product requirements material sizes and quantities interpret specifications and calculate areas ratios proportions and application rates conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment coordinate own activities with the requirements and schedules of the work group and contractors use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

Required knowledge

botany and plant physiology the relationship between soil characteristics and the availability of nutrients nutrient cycling and its practical relevance to the specific plants and soils methods of nutrient uptake by plants nutrients required by plants grown within the enterprise and the affects of nutrient deficiency and toxicity on individual plant species and varieties soil ameliorants commonly required to treat the soil problems experienced by the enterprise the main simple and compound fertiliser products available to the enterprise including analysis solubility salt index application rates and costs the environmental implications for the external environment of soil ameliorant and fertiliser use

Evidence Required

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 conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment recognise a range of common causes of nutrient deficiency prepare fertilizers and other products for application to plants apply fertilizers and other products clean up and maintain tools and equipment record work activities according to enterprise guidelines
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

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Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Plants may include:	all plant species and cultivars.
Fertilisers may include:	products and materials to meet the nutritional requirements of plants, to modify soil pH and soil ameliorants to improve soil fertility.
Fertiliser application methods may include:	banding broadcasting ripping spraying and fertigation applied directly to the soil or to the plant via foliar sprays.

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