Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and manage soils for production projects.
This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled 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. Research information about soil | 1.1 Research and analyse soil type, characteristics and properties 1.2 Identify particular soil properties that are relevant to the workplace and research for further enquiry 1.3 Determine, from published data and records, acceptable soil physical and chemical parameters for a specified crop 1.4 Identify relevant properties of soils and areas of homogenous soils for testing 1.5 Take soil samples from the land under production 1.6 Collect, package, label and dispatch soil samples according to testing agency requirements |
2. Apply information from soil testing to production and/or management plan | 2.1 Classify soil types from the sample area according to standards for soil classification 2.2 Compare results from soil testing with the identified soil physical and chemical parameters for the specified crop 2.3 Compare results from soil testing with soil records and production history 2.4 Review the comparative results and record differences 2.5 Develop production or management plan and record testing and comparative results |
3. Develop soil amendment practices | 3.1 Identify soil properties capable of being ameliorated 3.2 Identify relevant soil ameliorants or cultural practices and include in production plan 3.3 Cost soil ameliorating activities and include in production plan 3.4 Quantify and purchase soil ameliorants |
4. Monitor soil amendment practices | 4.1 Sample areas of ameliorant activities for testing across a representative sampling area 4.2 Analyse results to measure the performance of soil amelioration activities 4.3 Record monitoring program and include in the production plan |
5. Review and document the soil management plan | 5.1 Record analysis of the sampling methods and amend methods as required 5.2 Review monitoring program, amend for effectiveness and record 5.3 Document production plan incorporating reviews and reports |
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:
identify particular soil properties that are relevant to the workplace and research for further enquiry
apply information from soil testing to production and/or management plan
develop and conduct soil improvement programs
document the soil management plan or production plan
interpret soil analytical data for the purposes of developing management or production plans
review and analyse ongoing soil monitoring programs
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for managing soils for production
basic soil field tests
interpreting laboratory results
plant nutrition through soil management
soil chemical properties
soil conservation strategies and sustainable production techniques
soil physical properties
soil sampling techniques
soil types
techniques to ameliorate soil properties
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
Soils and media (SOL)