Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to water in mushroom crops.
It applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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. Prepare to use watering equipment | 1.1 Assemble and connect watering equipment components to water supply 1.2 Add chemicals to water 1.3 Read and record water meter for the area to be watered 1.4 Identify rooms and required watering pattern that require watering |
2. Operate watering equipment | 2.1 Follow site quarantine protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements 2.2 Check and adjust water pressure to ensure correct spray or droplet pattern is achieved 2.3 Provide and distribute evenly water in the correct quantity and pressure 2.4 Report and fix faults or variations |
3. Finalise watering operations | 3.1 Read and water meter and record amount of water used 3.2 Disconnect watering equipment and return to storage area 3.3 Check watering equipment 3.4 Report work outcomes and seek feedback on performance |
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:
prepare to use watering equipment
deliver water to the mushroom crop at required rate and pressure
estimate flow rate of water by the range of watering equipment in use
measure correct doses of additives for water
record water use
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for watering mushroom crops
effect on mushrooms of under-watering, overwatering, insufficient evaporation, late watering and moisture imbalance
effects of water on casing structure, mycelium, yields and quality
factors affecting effective operation of watering tree or other equipment used
how panning occurs
'light', 'medium' and 'heavy' water and when each type is used
safe and effective use of fungicides and other water additives
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
Production horticulture (PHT)