Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop an integrated pest management program.
It applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Determine IPM strategy | 1.1 Identify weed, pest and disease infestations considering enterprise requirements 1.2 Define weed, pest and disease relationships and any vectors as key factors in developing the integrated pest management (IPM) program 1.3 Develop a system to assess the size and extent of any infestation 1.4 Assess business implications and urgency of action according to published data, enterprise policy and/or economic threshold 1.5 Report conditions likely to impact on business viability 1.6 Determine the economic threshold for the crops grown |
2. Design control measures for weeds, pests or diseases | 2.1 Determine the appropriate method to control any weed, pest or disease issue that ensures limited impact on beneficial organisms and minimises the possibility of weeds, pests or diseases developing resistance 2.2 Develop strategies to ensure minimal or no risk of resistance developing in the range of weeds, pests or diseases identified 2.3 Ensure that control measures account for the damage threshold for the enterprise requirement or particular crop and to ensure the product still conforms to market access requirements 2.4 Develop a weed, pest or disease prevention program where possible to minimise, limit or remove certain risk factors |
3. Develop monitoring requirements for weed, pest or disease control measures | 3.1 Monitor prevention program and undertake remedial action where necessary 3.2 Ensure control procedures reflect sound implementation of integrated pest management strategy, marketing objectives and business imperatives 3.3 Monitor control procedures and undertake remedial action where necessary |
Evidence of Performance
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:
determine the economic threshold for a range of weed, pest or diseases
develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy based on analysis of weed, pest or disease presence
develop and implement monitoring procedures
monitor costs of pest management plan to meet budget requirements
oversee the implementation of an IPM pest management plan
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for developing integrated pest management plans
application techniques for chemical and non-chemical treatments
cost/benefit analysis relevant to selection of weed, pest and disease control measures
crop and plant scouting and monitoring
ecological impacts of different control treatments
interaction of weed, pest and disease control measures
weeds and pests of specific horticultural enterprises
lifecycles of hosts, predators and pests and diseases
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Plant culture and management (PCM)