Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCIRG327 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Implement an irrigation schedule

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCIRG327 - Implement an irrigation schedule
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an irrigation schedule.It applies to individuals who take responsibility for 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.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Interpret the irrigation schedule
  • Determine work requirements and identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures
  • Select required tools and equipment and check for safe operation
  • Select and use suitable personal protective equipment
  • Access information on plant growing requirements
  • Interpret moisture requirement throughout the growing season
  • Read the predicted seasonal moisture deficit and watering requirements and check with management
  • Record parameters for the irrigation system
       
Element: Determine irrigation shifts
  • Subdivide the irrigated area into the smallest units capable of individual irrigation and note area and irrigation equipment characteristics for each
  • Define each unit for its soil irrigation capability
  • Define the crop and plant water requirement for each unit
  • Combine units requiring similar irrigation to form a shift that does not exceed the water delivery capacity of the property irrigation infrastructure
  • Determine the water volume required to meet irrigation needs over specified period
       
Element: Implement irrigation schedule
  • Coordinate resources and brief personnel to deliver requirements
  • Implement watering program
       
Element: Monitor irrigation
  • Inspect plants and crops for growth rate and signs of stress
  • Record frequency of irrigation
  • Measure and record water usage and confirm water allocation is not exceeded for a given period
  • Calculate the differences between estimated water use and actual water used
  • Measure water quality
  • Assess plant and crop growth and water use efficiency
  • Measure soil for readily available water
  • Record climate and weather conditions
  • Adjust watering program in response to rainfall events and changes to evapotranspiration rates
       
Element: Record irrigation information and activities
  • Record plant or crop environment data
  • Record water usage
  • Record irrigation shifts
  • Record system process data
       


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. Interpret the irrigation schedule

1.1 Determine work requirements and identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

1.2 Select required tools and equipment and check for safe operation

1.3 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment

1.4 Access information on plant growing requirements

1.5 Interpret moisture requirement throughout the growing season

1.6 Read the predicted seasonal moisture deficit and watering requirements and check with management

1.7 Record parameters for the irrigation system

2. Determine irrigation shifts

2.1 Subdivide the irrigated area into the smallest units capable of individual irrigation and note area and irrigation equipment characteristics for each

2.2 Define each unit for its soil irrigation capability

2.3 Define the crop and plant water requirement for each unit

2.4 Combine units requiring similar irrigation to form a shift that does not exceed the water delivery capacity of the property irrigation infrastructure

2.5 Determine the water volume required to meet irrigation needs over specified period

3. Implement irrigation schedule

3.1 Coordinate resources and brief personnel to deliver requirements

3.2 Implement watering program

4. Monitor irrigation

4.1 Inspect plants and crops for growth rate and signs of stress

4.2 Record frequency of irrigation

4.3 Measure and record water usage and confirm water allocation is not exceeded for a given period

4.4 Calculate the differences between estimated water use and actual water used

4.5 Measure water quality

4.6 Assess plant and crop growth and water use efficiency

4.7 Measure soil for readily available water

4.8 Record climate and weather conditions

4.9 Adjust watering program in response to rainfall events and changes to evapotranspiration rates

5. Record irrigation information and activities

5.1 Record plant or crop environment data

5.2 Record water usage

5.3 Record irrigation shifts

5.4 Record system process data

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:

access and interpret the information in an irrigation schedule

apply sampling techniques

compare plant health and growth to benchmark requirements

conduct soil moisture tests

consult with appropriate senior personnel or consultants

identify irrigation requirements throughout the growing season by monitoring:

climatic conditions

crop stage and requirements if applicable

effective root depth

frost risk

plant varietal characteristics and requirements

signs of plant nutrient deficiencies

soil moisture levels

soil type and depth

symptoms of water stress

water quality

water table level

identify, rectify and report environmental non-compliance

instruct irrigation system operators

implement the irrigation schedule including consideration of:

application rates

interaction between different irrigation employees or shifts

maintenance programs and supplies

materials, chemicals, services

resources, including operators with appropriate skills

timing and length

liaise with other work areas

monitor irrigation activities including:

environmental impact of irrigation activities

identifying emitter output consistency

identifying soil moisture content and depth to which water will reach

report and record problems and corrective action taken

take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non- compliance

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

consultation requirements and procedures

effect of irrigation techniques on plant growth

environmental impacts, hazards and controls for irrigation

interpretation of routine soil moisture tests

irrigation strategies

principles of soil moisture monitoring including volumetric soil moisture content, percentage compared to soil moisture tension

procedures and responsibility for reporting problems

recording requirements and procedures

resource requirements and availability

sampling techniques and procedures

testing techniques and procedures

visual symptoms of plant nutrient deficiencies, water stress and frost

water budgeting tools

workplace hazards and controls

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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. Interpret the irrigation schedule

1.1 Determine work requirements and identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures

1.2 Select required tools and equipment and check for safe operation

1.3 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment

1.4 Access information on plant growing requirements

1.5 Interpret moisture requirement throughout the growing season

1.6 Read the predicted seasonal moisture deficit and watering requirements and check with management

1.7 Record parameters for the irrigation system

2. Determine irrigation shifts

2.1 Subdivide the irrigated area into the smallest units capable of individual irrigation and note area and irrigation equipment characteristics for each

2.2 Define each unit for its soil irrigation capability

2.3 Define the crop and plant water requirement for each unit

2.4 Combine units requiring similar irrigation to form a shift that does not exceed the water delivery capacity of the property irrigation infrastructure

2.5 Determine the water volume required to meet irrigation needs over specified period

3. Implement irrigation schedule

3.1 Coordinate resources and brief personnel to deliver requirements

3.2 Implement watering program

4. Monitor irrigation

4.1 Inspect plants and crops for growth rate and signs of stress

4.2 Record frequency of irrigation

4.3 Measure and record water usage and confirm water allocation is not exceeded for a given period

4.4 Calculate the differences between estimated water use and actual water used

4.5 Measure water quality

4.6 Assess plant and crop growth and water use efficiency

4.7 Measure soil for readily available water

4.8 Record climate and weather conditions

4.9 Adjust watering program in response to rainfall events and changes to evapotranspiration rates

5. Record irrigation information and activities

5.1 Record plant or crop environment data

5.2 Record water usage

5.3 Record irrigation shifts

5.4 Record system process data

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
Determine work requirements and identify hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 
Select required tools and equipment and check for safe operation 
Select and use suitable personal protective equipment 
Access information on plant growing requirements 
Interpret moisture requirement throughout the growing season 
Read the predicted seasonal moisture deficit and watering requirements and check with management 
Record parameters for the irrigation system 
Subdivide the irrigated area into the smallest units capable of individual irrigation and note area and irrigation equipment characteristics for each 
Define each unit for its soil irrigation capability 
Define the crop and plant water requirement for each unit 
Combine units requiring similar irrigation to form a shift that does not exceed the water delivery capacity of the property irrigation infrastructure 
Determine the water volume required to meet irrigation needs over specified period 
Coordinate resources and brief personnel to deliver requirements 
Implement watering program 
Inspect plants and crops for growth rate and signs of stress 
Record frequency of irrigation 
Measure and record water usage and confirm water allocation is not exceeded for a given period 
Calculate the differences between estimated water use and actual water used 
Measure water quality 
Assess plant and crop growth and water use efficiency 
Measure soil for readily available water 
Record climate and weather conditions 
Adjust watering program in response to rainfall events and changes to evapotranspiration rates 
Record plant or crop environment data 
Record water usage 
Record irrigation shifts 
Record system process data 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG327 - Implement an irrigation schedule
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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCIRG327 - Implement an irrigation schedule

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:

Date: