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

AHCSDT409 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform a tetrazolium test

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSDT409 - Perform a tetrazolium test
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform a tetrazolium test to assess seed viability or germination potential.It applies to senior seed analysts 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: Prepare replicates for testing
  • Draw seeds from the pure seed fraction for the number of replicates to be tested ensuring there is no selection of seed which may cause biased results
  • Use safe work practices and personal protective equipment
       
Element: Prepare seed and tetrazolium solution
  • Pre-moisten seed under prescribed temperature and light conditions to reduce possibility of injury to seeds when puncturing or cutting and to enable penetration of the tetrazolium solution
  • Remove sticky mucilage from seeds as necessary
  • Expose seed tissue before staining as appropriate for the species being tested
  • Keep seeds moist before testing
  • Prepare tetrazolium solution using distilled water and add trace amounts of fungicide or antibiotics to solution if necessary for the species being tested
       
Element: Stain with tetrazolium solution
  • Immerse seeds in tetrazolium solution
  • Maintain test at a temperature within the range 20 to 40°C, and maintain low light levels to facilitate staining
  • Increase duration of staining if temperatures below 30°C are used or decrease if higher temperatures are used
  • Decant the solution at end of staining period, rinse seeds with water and keep damp
       
Element: Evaluate test results
  • Examine and evaluate each seed as viable or non-viable based on staining patterns applicable to the species being tested
  • Count the number of seeds considered viable in each replicate
  • Calculate the percentage of viable seed in each replicate and determine average percentage of viable seed across all replicates
       
Element: Finalise reporting and clean up
  • Record and report results of test
  • Collect and dispose of laboratory and hazardous waste
  • Clean apparatus and equipment used in tetrazolium test and dispose of used chemicals and solutions safely
       


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. Prepare replicates for testing

1.1 Draw seeds from the pure seed fraction for the number of replicates to be tested ensuring there is no selection of seed which may cause biased results

1.2 Use safe work practices and personal protective equipment

2. Prepare seed and tetrazolium solution

2.1 Pre-moisten seed under prescribed temperature and light conditions to reduce possibility of injury to seeds when puncturing or cutting and to enable penetration of the tetrazolium solution

2.2 Remove sticky mucilage from seeds as necessary

2.3 Expose seed tissue before staining as appropriate for the species being tested

2.4 Keep seeds moist before testing

2.5 Prepare tetrazolium solution using distilled water and add trace amounts of fungicide or antibiotics to solution if necessary for the species being tested

3. Stain with tetrazolium solution

3.1 Immerse seeds in tetrazolium solution

3.2 Maintain test at a temperature within the range 20 to 40°C, and maintain low light levels to facilitate staining

3.3 Increase duration of staining if temperatures below 30°C are used or decrease if higher temperatures are used

3.4 Decant the solution at end of staining period, rinse seeds with water and keep damp

4. Evaluate test results

4.1 Examine and evaluate each seed as viable or non-viable based on staining patterns applicable to the species being tested

4.2 Count the number of seeds considered viable in each replicate

4.3 Calculate the percentage of viable seed in each replicate and determine average percentage of viable seed across all replicates

5. Finalise reporting and clean up

5.1 Record and report results of test

5.2 Collect and dispose of laboratory and hazardous waste

5.3 Clean apparatus and equipment used in tetrazolium test and dispose of used chemicals and solutions safely

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 replicates for testing

prepare seed and tetrazolium solution

stain seeds with a tetrazolium solution

evaluate and report test results

record and report test results

clean apparatus and equipment used in test and dispose safely of used products

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

calculations, tolerances and rounding results

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

enterprise standard operating procedures (SOPs)

interpretation and recording of test result, including simple calculations

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

seed biology

tetrazolium testing procedures

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


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. Prepare replicates for testing

1.1 Draw seeds from the pure seed fraction for the number of replicates to be tested ensuring there is no selection of seed which may cause biased results

1.2 Use safe work practices and personal protective equipment

2. Prepare seed and tetrazolium solution

2.1 Pre-moisten seed under prescribed temperature and light conditions to reduce possibility of injury to seeds when puncturing or cutting and to enable penetration of the tetrazolium solution

2.2 Remove sticky mucilage from seeds as necessary

2.3 Expose seed tissue before staining as appropriate for the species being tested

2.4 Keep seeds moist before testing

2.5 Prepare tetrazolium solution using distilled water and add trace amounts of fungicide or antibiotics to solution if necessary for the species being tested

3. Stain with tetrazolium solution

3.1 Immerse seeds in tetrazolium solution

3.2 Maintain test at a temperature within the range 20 to 40°C, and maintain low light levels to facilitate staining

3.3 Increase duration of staining if temperatures below 30°C are used or decrease if higher temperatures are used

3.4 Decant the solution at end of staining period, rinse seeds with water and keep damp

4. Evaluate test results

4.1 Examine and evaluate each seed as viable or non-viable based on staining patterns applicable to the species being tested

4.2 Count the number of seeds considered viable in each replicate

4.3 Calculate the percentage of viable seed in each replicate and determine average percentage of viable seed across all replicates

5. Finalise reporting and clean up

5.1 Record and report results of test

5.2 Collect and dispose of laboratory and hazardous waste

5.3 Clean apparatus and equipment used in tetrazolium test and dispose of used chemicals and solutions safely

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
Draw seeds from the pure seed fraction for the number of replicates to be tested ensuring there is no selection of seed which may cause biased results 
Use safe work practices and personal protective equipment 
Pre-moisten seed under prescribed temperature and light conditions to reduce possibility of injury to seeds when puncturing or cutting and to enable penetration of the tetrazolium solution 
Remove sticky mucilage from seeds as necessary 
Expose seed tissue before staining as appropriate for the species being tested 
Keep seeds moist before testing 
Prepare tetrazolium solution using distilled water and add trace amounts of fungicide or antibiotics to solution if necessary for the species being tested 
Immerse seeds in tetrazolium solution 
Maintain test at a temperature within the range 20 to 40°C, and maintain low light levels to facilitate staining 
Increase duration of staining if temperatures below 30°C are used or decrease if higher temperatures are used 
Decant the solution at end of staining period, rinse seeds with water and keep damp 
Examine and evaluate each seed as viable or non-viable based on staining patterns applicable to the species being tested 
Count the number of seeds considered viable in each replicate 
Calculate the percentage of viable seed in each replicate and determine average percentage of viable seed across all replicates 
Record and report results of test 
Collect and dispose of laboratory and hazardous waste 
Clean apparatus and equipment used in tetrazolium test and dispose of used chemicals and solutions safely 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSDT409 - Perform a tetrazolium test
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

AHCSDT409 - Perform a tetrazolium test

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: