This unit applies to the application of extensive horticultural knowledge and a broad range of horticultural skills. Monitoring is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for monitoring activities

1.1. The turf site to be monitored, nature and regularity of monitoring, and time constraints for delivering reports are identified according to enterprise work procedures.

1.2. Plant tissue and soil analysis consultants are identified and their sampling specifications determined in consultation with the supervisor and/or consultants.

1.3. Monitoring tools and equipment are selected according to enterprise work procedures.

1.4. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools and equipment according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

1.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed, controls implemented and reported to the supervisor.

1.6. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.

2. Collect soil and plant tissue samples

2.1. Samples for off-site testing are collected from a representative area and prepared, packaged, accurately labelled and dispatched according to consultant's requirements and enterprise work procedures.

2.2. On-site soil tests are performed according to testing instrument instructions, industry codes of practice and enterprise work procedures.

2.3. Divots are replaced from soil sampling sites and waste materials disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

2.4. Sampling tools and equipment are cleaned of all residues and returned to storage according to manufacturers' specifications and enterprise work procedures.

2.5. Results of analysis are recorded and compared with acceptable parameters according to researched and experiential awareness.

2.6. Recommendations are written to address identified deficiencies and to meet target chemical balances according to researched and experiential awareness.

3. Visually monitor turf health

3.1. Monitoring of turf health is undertaken according to OHS requirements.

3.2. Health indicators of the turf are assessed visually with reference to researched and experiential awareness, site conditions, seasonal conditions, and according to enterprise work procedures.

3.3. Deficiencies in turf quality and turf diseases are identified visually with reference to researched and experiential awareness, site conditions and seasonal conditions.

3.4. Reports and recommendations are made to the supervisor according to the playing requirements and desired objectives of the enterprise.

Required skills

communicate with work team members, supervisors and consultants

utilise proforma reporting, analysis and work procedure documents

assess turf health

measure materials and interpret specifications and analytical results

perform soil sampling and analyse results

identify deficiencies and diseases in turf

make reports and recommendations

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

Required knowledge

botany and turf physiology

practical understanding of soil and plant tissue analysis as a monitoring and turf management tool, the main elements of analysis, and their significance as indicators of nutritional deficiency and toxicity

awareness of the role of trace elements and nutrients required by turf grass plants, and symptoms of toxicities and deficiencies

turf grass diseases, including commonly occurring regional diseases, seasonality, history of site and visual disease symptoms

main, simple and compound fertiliser products available to the enterprise including analysis, solubility, salt index, rates and cost

rates and regularity of recommended fertiliser and pesticide application to achieve optimum plant health objectives, while minimising external environment impact through leaching, excessive spraying and overuse.

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:

inspect and report on the condition of turfed surfaces

assess turf health

perform soil sampling and analyse results

identify deficiencies and diseases in turf

prepare turf maintenance recommendations according to the playing requirements and desired objectives of the enterprise.

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.

Monitoring turf health may include:

multi-use and high performance sports turf playing surfaces.

Unit sector

Turf

This unit contains employability skills.