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

AHCIRG408 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Schedule irrigations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCIRG408 - Schedule irrigations
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to determine the timing and amount of each irrigation to meet crop or plant needs and environmental requirements.It applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems. 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: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       


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. Monitor crop and plant water use

1.1 Estimate or measure water use from one or more systems

1.2 Accumulate water as a soil water deficit in the root zone

2. Apply a measured amount of water

2.1 Predict a pre-determined deficit using a scheduling system

2.2 Apply irrigation to partly or fully replace the deficit

2.3 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

3.1 Measure the effectiveness of irrigation application with in-field equipment

3.2 Adjust the estimated soil moisture level in scheduling system to match that measured

3.3 Recalibrate the scheduling system where necessary

3.4 Repeat cycles of irrigation until schedule is correctly established

4. Record irrigation and scheduling parameters

4.1 Record each irrigation and significant rainfall event, plus other appropriate parameters used in scheduling system

4.2 Estimate and record drainage amount below root zone at each irrigation

4.3 Record system performance data

5. Plan for extremes of weather

5.1 Modify estimated deficits to cater for any prolonged saturation following heavy rainfall

5.2 Alter shift areas, and where applicable, application rates, to suit appropriate irrigation schedules that minimise frost damage

5.3 Implement strategies involving prioritising of plants and crops and intermittent irrigation at times of extreme heat

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

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


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. Monitor crop and plant water use

1.1 Estimate or measure water use from one or more systems

1.2 Accumulate water as a soil water deficit in the root zone

2. Apply a measured amount of water

2.1 Predict a pre-determined deficit using a scheduling system

2.2 Apply irrigation to partly or fully replace the deficit

2.3 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

3.1 Measure the effectiveness of irrigation application with in-field equipment

3.2 Adjust the estimated soil moisture level in scheduling system to match that measured

3.3 Recalibrate the scheduling system where necessary

3.4 Repeat cycles of irrigation until schedule is correctly established

4. Record irrigation and scheduling parameters

4.1 Record each irrigation and significant rainfall event, plus other appropriate parameters used in scheduling system

4.2 Estimate and record drainage amount below root zone at each irrigation

4.3 Record system performance data

5. Plan for extremes of weather

5.1 Modify estimated deficits to cater for any prolonged saturation following heavy rainfall

5.2 Alter shift areas, and where applicable, application rates, to suit appropriate irrigation schedules that minimise frost damage

5.3 Implement strategies involving prioritising of plants and crops and intermittent irrigation at times of extreme heat

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
Estimate or measure water use from one or more systems 
Accumulate water as a soil water deficit in the root zone 
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 
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 
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 
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 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCIRG408 - Schedule irrigations
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

AHCIRG408 - Schedule irrigations

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: