This unit applies to workers in the annual, vegetable and flower growing industries operating within established routines, methods and procedures and is likely to be under supervision and according to directions.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for crop planting operations

1.1. Instructions about planting the crop are applied.

1.2. Machinery, equipment and tools are prepared for crop planting tasks.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and safety concerns reported to the supervisor.

1.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used and maintained according to safety procedures.

2. Prepare the site and plant material for planting

2.1. Soil or growing media is prepared.

2.2. Crop protection is implemented.

2.3. Pre planting treatments are applied.

2.4. Planting material is stored where required.

2.5. Machinery, equipment and tools for soil preparation are operated according to low risk operating procedures.

3. Carry out planting operations

3.1. Planting material is selected according to enterprise quality standard.

3.2. Planting materials are stored, handled and transported to the site.

3.3. Planting is carried out.

3.4. Plants are watered in and any post planting treatments applied.

Required skills

use and maintain planting equipment

select planting material

apply enterprise quality standards

measure quantities of plant materials and treatments

estimate spacing and planting patterns

operate machinery to manufacturers specifications and low risk operating procedures

apply agricultural chemicals under supervision

identify hazards

follow safety procedures

participate in teams and contribute to team objectives

communicate with team members and supervisor

read and interpret a range of workplace information

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

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

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

Required knowledge

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

growing requirements of plants

basic plant physiology

soil structure and health

basic preparation of soil and growing media

importance of field hygiene and quality control in regard to crop planting

principles of pest, weed and disease control

nutritional, water and other requirements of the crop

the importance of correct timing and procedures for crop planting

range of pre-planting soil and plant treatments and their importance

environmental impacts and risks of planting horticultural crops.

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:

prepare soil or growing media for planting

apply pre-planting soil and plant treatments

carry out planting

water in plants and apply other treatments to seedlings if required.

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.

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

Crops may include:

the range of annual, vegetable and flower crops.

Unit Sector

Production horticulture

This unit contains employability skills.