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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Research information about soil
   • Research and analyse soil type, characteristics and properties
   • Identify particular soil properties that are relevant to the workplace and research for further enquiry
   • Determine, from published data and records, acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified crop
   • Identify relevant properties of soils and areas of homogenous soils for testing
   • Take soil samples from the land under production
   • Collect, package, label and dispatch soil samples according to testing agency requirements
2. Apply information from soil testing to production and/or management plan
   • Classify soil types from the sample area according to standards for soil classification
   • Compare results from soil testing with the identified soil physical and chemical parameters for the specified crop
   • Compare results from soil testing with soil records and production history
   • Review the comparative results and record differences
   • Develop production or management plan and record testing and comparative results
3. Develop soil amendment practices
   • Identify soil properties capable of being ameliorated
   • Identify relevant soil ameliorants or cultural practices and include in production plan
   • Cost soil ameliorating activities and include in production plan
   • Quantify and purchase soil ameliorants
4. Monitor soil amendment practices
   • Sample areas of ameliorant activities for testing across a representative sampling area
   • Analyse results to measure the performance of soil amelioration activities
   • Record monitoring program and include in the production plan
5. Review and document the soil management plan
   • Record analysis of the sampling methods and amend methods as required
   • Review monitoring program, amend for effectiveness and record
   • Document production plan incorporating reviews and reports

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:

identify particular soil properties that are relevant to the workplace and research for further enquiry

apply information from soil testing to production and/or management plan

develop and conduct soil improvement programs

document the soil management plan or production plan

interpret soil analytical data for the purposes of developing management or production plans

review and analyse ongoing soil monitoring programs

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices for managing soils for production

basic soil field tests

interpreting laboratory results

plant nutrition through soil management

soil chemical properties

soil conservation strategies and sustainable production techniques

soil physical properties

soil sampling techniques

soil types

techniques to ameliorate soil properties

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