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

AHCSOL501A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Monitor and manage soils for production

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSOL501A - Monitor and manage soils for production
Description This unit covers the process of monitoring and managing soils in an agricultural or horticultural production environment and defines the standard required to: interpret soil analytical data for the purposes of developing management or production plans; develop and conduct soil improvement programs; review and analyse ongoing soil monitoring programs; document the soil management plan or production plan.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency applies to the role of land managers in agriculture and horticulture production systems and covers the improvement and ongoing management of soils.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
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: Research information about soil
  • Soil type, characteristics and properties are researched and analysed for relevance to enterprise requirements.
  • Particular soil properties, identified as relevant to the enterprise, are researched for further enquiry.
  • Acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified crop are determined from published data and historical records.
  • Relevant properties of soils and areas of homogenous soils are identified for testing.
  • Soil sampling is conducted across a representative sampling area of the whole production area.
  • Soil samples are collected, packaged, accurately labelled and dispatched according to testing agency requirements.
       
Element: Apply information from soil testing to production and/or management plan
  • Soil types of the sample area are classified according to standards for soil classification.
  • Results from soil testing are compared with the identified soil physical and chemical parameters for the specified crop.
  • Results from soil testing are compared with soil records and production history.
  • The comparative results are reviewed and differences recorded and charted.
  • Production or management plan is developed and testing results and comparative results are recorded.
       
Element: Develop soil amendment practices
  • Soil properties capable of being ameliorated are identified for action.
  • Relevant soil ameliorants or cultural practices are identified and included in production/management plan.
  • Soil ameliorants are quantified and purchased.
  • Soil ameliorating activities are costed and included in production/management plan.
       
Element: Monitor soil amendment practices
  • Areas of ameliorant activities are sampled for testing across a representative sampling area.
  • Results are analysed to measure the performance of soil amelioration activities.
  • Monitoring program is recorded and included in the production/management plan.
       
Element: Review and document the soil management plan
  • Analysis of the sampling methods is recorded and methods amended as required.
  • Monitoring program is reviewed, amended for effectiveness and recorded.
  • Production/management plan is documented incorporating reviews and reports.
       


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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

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

develop and conduct soil improvement programs

review and analyse ongoing soil monitoring programs

document the soil management plan or production plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

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.

Required skills

research information

prepare production/management plans for crops/plants

collect soil/media samples

interpret results from laboratory tests

record and store information

review methods and practices

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

soil types

soil physical properties

soil chemical properties

plant nutrition through soil management

soil conservation strategies and sustainable production techniques

basic soil field tests

soil sampling techniques

interpreting laboratory results

techniques to ameliorate soil properties

record keeping.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Soils may include:

all types of soils and growing media used for commercial production.

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
Soil type, characteristics and properties are researched and analysed for relevance to enterprise requirements. 
Particular soil properties, identified as relevant to the enterprise, are researched for further enquiry. 
Acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified crop are determined from published data and historical records. 
Relevant properties of soils and areas of homogenous soils are identified for testing. 
Soil sampling is conducted across a representative sampling area of the whole production area. 
Soil samples are collected, packaged, accurately labelled and dispatched according to testing agency requirements. 
Soil types of the sample area are classified according to standards for soil classification. 
Results from soil testing are compared with the identified soil physical and chemical parameters for the specified crop. 
Results from soil testing are compared with soil records and production history. 
The comparative results are reviewed and differences recorded and charted. 
Production or management plan is developed and testing results and comparative results are recorded. 
Soil properties capable of being ameliorated are identified for action. 
Relevant soil ameliorants or cultural practices are identified and included in production/management plan. 
Soil ameliorants are quantified and purchased. 
Soil ameliorating activities are costed and included in production/management plan. 
Areas of ameliorant activities are sampled for testing across a representative sampling area. 
Results are analysed to measure the performance of soil amelioration activities. 
Monitoring program is recorded and included in the production/management plan. 
Analysis of the sampling methods is recorded and methods amended as required. 
Monitoring program is reviewed, amended for effectiveness and recorded. 
Production/management plan is documented incorporating reviews and reports. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSOL501A - Monitor and manage soils for production
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

AHCSOL501A - Monitor and manage soils for production

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: