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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. Interpret and schedule test requirements
   • Identify seeds to be germinated, test methods and equipment
   • Recognise hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, seed pre-treatment, test methods, reagents and/or equipment
   • Plan work sequences
2. Prepare materials for test
   • Draw prescribed number of replicates
   • Select and prepare growing media
   • Pre-treat seed to break physiological dormancy where necessary
   • Check water quality and pH is within required tolerances
   • Check and prepare apparatus and equipment for germinating seeds
3. Plant and maintain seeds
   • Plant seed on or into selected media
   • Monitor temperature and light conditions of germination apparatus in accordance with test procedures
4. Evaluate test results
   • Categorise seedlings and count as normal or abnormal
   • Assess un-germinated seed as hard, fresh or dead
   • Assess other determinations for un-germinated seed if required
   • Record and report results
5. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Minimise wastes and environmental impacts
   • Collect and dispose of laboratory and hazardous waste
   • Clean and store equipment and reagents

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:

Prepare for seed germination testing

assess seed germination

perform germination tests on a seed sample under laboratory conditions

prepare growing media

record and report test results

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

assessment of germination and determining need for retesting

calculations, tolerances and rounding results

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

enterprise standard operating procedures (SOPs)

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

seed biology

the role of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the ISTA Rules for Seed Testing

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