Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, monitor and maintain biological control agents for weed control prior to release in an experimental or field situation. Biological agents must be maintained and stored in an effective way to optimise its potency on targeted weed species.
All work is carried out to comply with the organisation’s pest management plan.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
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 and propagate bioagent media | 1.1 Identify, select and access bioagent media to suit the host and target 1.2 Prepare required media 1.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity |
2. Obtain bioagent cultures | 2.1 Procure cultures from established sources and maintain microclimate in transport to the laboratory 2.2 Transfer cultures to growing environment 2.3 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity |
3. Maintain and monitor cultures | 3.1 Check cultures regularly 3.2 Maintain optimum environmental conditions to maximise culture growth and condition 3.3 Record observations and report abnormalities to the appropriate authority 3.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity |
4. Harvest and store cultures | 4.1 Use routine monitoring of culture growth to identify the need for harvest and agent release 4.2 Determine harvesting program in line with program requirements 4.3 Complete harvest operations and transfer cultures to storage 4.4 Apply laboratory policies and procedures for work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity |
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 and propagate biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures
transfer cultures to growing environment according to laboratory policies and procedures
harvest and store biological agents according to laboratory policies and procedures
monitor and keep records of observations and details of any abnormalities according to laboratory policies and procedures
apply work health and safety policies and procedures in the context of own work
apply appropriate sustainability and biosecurity practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
laboratory procedures
the range of media available for culture maintenance
culture and media preparation techniques
available biological control agents and their use
the range of pest species that are to be targeted with biological agents
biosecurity and quarantine requirements
Assessment Conditions
Candidates must have access to bioagent media and cultures, appropriate equipment and resources for the purpose of assessment.
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
Pest Management (PMG)