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

AHCSOL401 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Sample soils and interpret results

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSOL401 - Sample soils and interpret results
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to take a soil sample and interpret the test results.This unit applies to individuals whose job role includes undertaking soil or growing media sampling and interpreting the results as a foundation for further horticultural operations such as nutrition programs and irrigation scheduling.This unit 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: Prepare for soil sampling
  • Identify the soils to be surveyed, surveying activity and contractors
  • Select tools, equipment and machinery as required by the testing agency requirements
  • Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery
  • Identify areas of homogeneous soil types for sampling
  • Locate services in consultation with the supervisor
  • Identify work and safety hazards, assess risks and implement controls
  • Select and use suitable safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Maintain a clean and safe work area throughout and on completion of work
       
Element: Determine soil characteristics by performing soil sampling
  • Determine the density and depth for a representative sampling of the area
  • Excavate holes at identified sampling sites
  • Collect and prepare, label, package and dispatch samples for off-site testing
  • Determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil
  • Clean and store sampling and testing tools and equipment
  • Record results
       
Element: Interpret results of soil analysis
  • Classify the soil types of the sample area according to standards for soil classification
  • Determine, from published data and records, the acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant
  • Compare collected analytical results with acceptable physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant
  • Evaluate soil characteristics to determine whether they can be altered to meet plant needs
  • Determine the Readily Available Water values for irrigation sites
       


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 for soil sampling

1.1 Identify the soils to be surveyed, surveying activity and contractors

1.2 Select tools, equipment and machinery as required by the testing agency requirements

1.3 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

1.4 Identify areas of homogeneous soil types for sampling

1.5 Locate services in consultation with the supervisor

1.6 Identify work and safety hazards, assess risks and implement controls

1.7 Select and use suitable safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.8 Maintain a clean and safe work area throughout and on completion of work

2. Determine soil characteristics by performing soil sampling

2.1 Determine the density and depth for a representative sampling of the area

2.2 Excavate holes at identified sampling sites

2.3 Collect and prepare, label, package and dispatch samples for off-site testing

2.4 Determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil

2.5 Clean and store sampling and testing tools and equipment

2.6 Record results

3. Interpret results of soil analysis

3.1 Classify the soil types of the sample area according to standards for soil classification

3.2 Determine, from published data and records, the acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant

3.3 Compare collected analytical results with acceptable physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant

3.4 Evaluate soil characteristics to determine whether they can be altered to meet plant needs

3.5 Determine the Readily Available Water values for irrigation sites

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:

collect soil and media samples using appropriate sampling methodology

file and record analytic results for future use

implement a nutrient and nutrition program

prepare soil and media samples for dispatch to soil analysis laboratory

receive and interpret analytic results

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices of soils sampling

environmental implications associated with soil surveying activities and the application of analytical results

practical understanding of the range of sample collection, testing and analytical methods that may be used to perform soil surveys, and the association of surveying methods with site conditions, environmental implications and intended horticultural use of the surveyed site

soil ameliorants and soil improvement techniques for addressing site limitations identified through surveying

the capacity of soils to provide water to plants

the importance of organic matter in soil in relation to the intended horticultural use

the physical and chemical properties of soils in relation to their ability to support specified horticultural production

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 for soil sampling

1.1 Identify the soils to be surveyed, surveying activity and contractors

1.2 Select tools, equipment and machinery as required by the testing agency requirements

1.3 Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

1.4 Identify areas of homogeneous soil types for sampling

1.5 Locate services in consultation with the supervisor

1.6 Identify work and safety hazards, assess risks and implement controls

1.7 Select and use suitable safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.8 Maintain a clean and safe work area throughout and on completion of work

2. Determine soil characteristics by performing soil sampling

2.1 Determine the density and depth for a representative sampling of the area

2.2 Excavate holes at identified sampling sites

2.3 Collect and prepare, label, package and dispatch samples for off-site testing

2.4 Determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil

2.5 Clean and store sampling and testing tools and equipment

2.6 Record results

3. Interpret results of soil analysis

3.1 Classify the soil types of the sample area according to standards for soil classification

3.2 Determine, from published data and records, the acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant

3.3 Compare collected analytical results with acceptable physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant

3.4 Evaluate soil characteristics to determine whether they can be altered to meet plant needs

3.5 Determine the Readily Available Water values for irrigation sites

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
Identify the soils to be surveyed, surveying activity and contractors 
Select tools, equipment and machinery as required by the testing agency requirements 
Carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery 
Identify areas of homogeneous soil types for sampling 
Locate services in consultation with the supervisor 
Identify work and safety hazards, assess risks and implement controls 
Select and use suitable safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Maintain a clean and safe work area throughout and on completion of work 
Determine the density and depth for a representative sampling of the area 
Excavate holes at identified sampling sites 
Collect and prepare, label, package and dispatch samples for off-site testing 
Determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil 
Clean and store sampling and testing tools and equipment 
Record results 
Classify the soil types of the sample area according to standards for soil classification 
Determine, from published data and records, the acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant 
Compare collected analytical results with acceptable physical and chemical parameters for a specified plant 
Evaluate soil characteristics to determine whether they can be altered to meet plant needs 
Determine the Readily Available Water values for irrigation sites 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSOL401 - Sample soils and interpret results
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:

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Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCSOL401 - Sample soils and interpret results

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

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Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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