Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to collect, treat and store seed. Work is completed in a forest environment setting.
The unit applies to Arboriculture worker, Farm forestry worker, Forestry worker, Nursery worker
Plantation establishment worker, Plantation forest officer, Silviculturist
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Prepare to collect seed | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.3 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures and environmental protection practices. 1.4 Identify potential locations for collecting required seeds and obtain approval from appropriate personnel. |
2. Select and assess seed | 2.1 Identify plant species and assess condition visually to determine healthy seeds. 2.2 Select and use appropriate seed collection method, maintaining genetic diversity and preventing damage to parent plant. 2.3 Place seed in clean containers and label accurately in line with organisational procedures. |
3. Clean and store seed | 3.1 Separate, weigh and treat seed to prevent deterioration in line with species requirements. 3.2 Package seed for storage in line with organisational procedures. 3.3 Record and report details of seed species, weight and place of origin to appropriate personnel. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit.
collect seed from plants and planted areas using one or more of the following methods:
climbing
shaking
shooting
ground collection
and one or more of the following separation methods:
hand selection
wind separation/winnowing
sieving
vibrating
flotation
drying
husk crumbling
for each of the above seed collection methods, select, use and perform operator maintenance of appropriate equipment safely and efficiently:
ladders
pruning and shaking equipment
sheets and tarpaulins
high-powered rifles
elevated work platforms
hand tools
use packaging and storage techniques for seed collection based on seed type and collection method as listed above:
vacuum sealing
use of inert atmospheres:
nitrogen
carbon dioxide.
treat collected seed for protection against pests using the following methods:
heat
mechanical
chemical
control each of these environmental factors when packing collected seeds:
temperature
light
moisture
Identify locations and obtain appropriate approvals for the collection of seeds
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
collection techniques according to health of parent plant:
hand picking
careful and selective pruning
common separation methods used to treat and weigh seed:
hand selection
wind separation/winnowing
sieving
vibrating
flotation
drying
husk crumbling
seed species and collection, treatment and packaging processes, including storage requirements for different seed species
type of information that is recorded for seed collection:
time and date of harvest
time and date of receipt
weight
seed origin
common pests and diseases that infect seed species and visual characteristics
seed treatment methods for protection against pests:
heat
mechanical
chemical protection against pests.
packaging and storage techniques for seed collection:
vacuum sealing
use of inert atmospheres:
nitrogen
carbon dioxide.
controls for the packing environment:
temperature
light
moisture
environmental protection practices for forest environment setting:
the safe disposal of waste material
returning the environment to its original or near to original condition on completion of activity
procedures for minimising environmental impact
organisational procedures specific to collecting seed:
work health and safety with particular emphasis on use of personal protective equipment and handling hazardous substances
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting seed collection information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
clean containers for holding seeds
vacuum seed collecting machines
ladders or elevated work platforms
pruning and shaking equipment
sheets and tarpaulins
high-powered rifles according to site requirements
cherry-pickers or elevated work platforms according to site requirements
personal protective equipment suitable for seed collection and treatment
work order with specific instructions for collecting, treating and storing seed
documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proformas for recording seed collection information
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for collecting seed
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | complete routine calculations for seed weights and quantities. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures work orders. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for seed collection. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of selecting and collecting seeds using work order to guide activities. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management