Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare and graft cuttings on to a mature plant. The unit applies to pre-planting treatments and nutritional care in a variety of work settings including forest environments, farms, agriculture, workshops, domestic, nurseries and local councils.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 cuttings | 1.1 Interpret and check work order with appropriate personnel, if required 1.2 Select and check equipment for operational effectiveness, appropriate to work requirements and according to manufacturer recommendations 1.3 Prepare the parent plant and apply a suitable method to take the cutting appropriate to the species 1.4 Identify and provide correct conditioning and storage procedures appropriate to species requirements to maintain maximum viability of cuttings |
2. Sort and select cuttings | 2.1 Identify and follow organisational hygiene practices and procedures to maintain a contamination-free work area 2.2 Undertake work using established safe operating practices in line with workplace procedures and environmental requirements 2.3 Visually assess and select cuttings for propagation in line with work order requirements 2.4 Dispose of discarded cutting material in line with workplace waste disposal guidelines and organisational requirements. |
3. Graft cuttings on to mature plant | 3.1 Prepare mature plant for grafting and apply pre-planting treatment using methods suitable to the species 3.2 Use handling methods that prevent damage to cuttings 3.3 Check grafting type is appropriate to species type and apply identifying labels in line with workplace procedures 3.4 Provide and maintain nutrients and growing environment for grafted cuttings appropriate to the species requirements 3.5 Take remedial action as required to control pests and diseases in line with specified planting program 3.6 Record and report grafting process to the 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.
use appropriate grafting tools and equipment, including hand-held tools, a grafting or budding knife, secateurs and grafting tape
maintain a hygienic work environment, when grafting cuttings
use appropriate methods and techniques to graft cuttings onto a mature plant
maintain a growing environment suitable to the plant species, when grafting cuttings
apply nutrients, chemicals, fertilizers and organic material to grafted cuttings
apply remedial treatments to plants, including removal of infected material and treatment with chemicals
dispose of discarded cutting material by recycling or sending to landfill
record and report grafting process according to workplace procedures using a manual, computer based or other appropriate communication system
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
types and species of cuttings and suitable grafting methods and storage
grafting methods and the type of equipment used for each method
pre-planting treatments to prepare for grafting
water and nutrient requirements for cuttings, including chemicals, fertilisers and organic material
techniques of taking cuttings
conditioning and storage requirements for cuttings
impact of different growing environments on grafted cuttings including:
heat
light
humidity
wind
sun
moisture
topography
rainfall
established workplace communication channels and protocols
problem identification and resolution strategies, and common fault finding techniques in relation to grafting cuttings
types of tools and equipment used in grafting cuttings, including hand-held tools, including a grafting or budding knife, secateurs and grafting tape and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
remedial treatment on grafted cuttings, including the removal of infected material and treatment with chemicals
mathematical procedures for estimating and measuring, including calculating time to complete tasks and measuring quantities of nutrients
procedures for recording and reporting workplace information.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit including:
specifications and work instructions
different plant species and cuttings
growing environments
nutrients including chemicals, fertilisers and organic material
equipment hand-held tools, a grafting or budding knife, secateurs and grafting tape
storage facilities for cuttings
personal protective equipment suitable for grafting cuttings
safety equipment
specifications and work instructions
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for controlling animal pests
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: | measure quantities of nutrients appropriate to cuttings estimate timeframes appropriate to graft cutting processes |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify instructions explain routine procedures to others |
Reading skills to: | read and follow information on equipment and in workplace procedure manuals on safety and environmental requirements when grafting cuttings read and interpret information from tables and charts read and interpret safety instructions in relation to using nutrients |
Writing skills to: | label grafted cuttings legibly and accurately with correct species name complete factual reports on grafting process |
Problem solving skills to: | use and maintain equipment and tools for grafting cuttings identify and apply different workplace requirements to plant species in graft cutting and storage. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Forest Growing and Management