Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:55 PM AWST

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Maintain biological cultures

Maintain biological cultures

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCPMG303A
State Code
D7126
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the process of maintaining biological control agents for weed control prior to release in an experimental or field situation and defines the standard required to: prepare and propagate bioagent media; obtain bioagent cultures; maintain and monitor cultures; harvest and store cultures.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare and propagate bioagent media
  • 1.1. Bioagent media to suit the host and target species are identified, selected and accessed consistent with enterprise procedures or integrated weed management strategy where applicable.
  • 1.2. Required media are prepared in line with established procedures and laboratory policy.
2. Obtain bioagent cultures
  • 2.1. Cultures are procured from established sources and microclimate maintained in transport to the laboratory.
  • 2.2. Cultures are transferred to growing environment in strict compliance with laboratory policy.
3. Maintain and monitor cultures
  • 3.1. Cultures are regularly checked as an integral part of work routines.
  • 3.2. Optimum environmental conditions are maintained to maximise culture growth and condition.
  • 3.3. Observations are recorded and abnormalities are reported to the appropriate authority.
4. Harvest and store cultures
  • 4.1. Routine monitoring of culture growth identifies the need for harvest and agent release.
  • 4.2. Harvesting program is determined in line with program requirements.
  • 4.3. Harvest operations are completed and cultures are transferred to storage in accordance with laboratory policy.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Biological control agents may include:
control agents for weed control, their maintenance and culture.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
prepare and propagate bioagent media
obtain bioagent cultures
maintain and monitor cultures
harvest and store cultures.
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.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S2624 RTD3706A Maintain biological cultures Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAU03 AHCPMG310 Prepare, monitor and maintain biological agents Unit of competency