Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work context.

What workplace information may be relevant to this standard?
Workplace information may include the production plan, standard operation procedures (SOP), scientific literature, manufacturers specification, MSDSs, product labels, or verbal instruction from the manager or supervisor.

What indicators can be used to assess the overall health of the plant?
Overall health of the plant can be assessed by the presence of pests or diseases, nutrient deficiency symptoms, and stunted or spindly growth.

What environmental parameters are likely to be monitored?
Environmental parameters may include temperature, light, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration and wind.

How can environmental parameters be adjusted?
Adjusting environmental parameters may include using fans, heaters, opening and shutting louvres and windows, using misters and artificial lighting.

What are likely to be sources of contamination in hydroponic systems?
Sources of contamination may include water, soil, vegetable matter, smoke, foreign materials and pathogens.

What hygiene procedures may be adjusted to minimise or control contamination?
Hygiene procedures may include washing tools and equipment after use, cleaning shoes and hands before entering work areas, maintaining good ventilation around plants, removing diseased or insect infested plants promptly, sterilising the system, greenhouses, tools and equipment, and sterilising the water used in the system.

What environmental implications may be considered when maintaining hydroponic systems?
Environmental considerations may include the safe disposal of chemical containers or left over chemicals, the run off from the washing and cleaning of tools and equipment, and the effective management of drainage of high nutrient effluent.

What are the likely ingredients of a hydroponic nutrient solution?
Ingredients may include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur and trace elements

What tests may be carried out on the nutrient solution?
Tests may include pH, EC, levels of oxygen, N, P, K, and trace elements.

What buildings and structures are likely to be checked?
Buildings and structures may include greenhouses, sheds, service buildings, artificial windbreaks, fences and sealed surfaces.

What equipment for delivering the nutrient solution is likely to be checked?
Items of equipment may include pumps, drippers, pipes and channels, timers, injectors, dosers, computers, plant support trellis, salinity (EC) controllers and pH controllers

What equipment for controlling the atmospheric and root zone environments is likely to be checked?
Items of equipment may include heaters (air and water), coolers, lights, fans (to circulate carbon dioxide), misting systems, humidifiers or fogging machines, exhaust fans, air vents, UV sterilisers and ORP generators.

What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area?
Hazards may include hazardous chemicals; water and dust and splashed or windborne inoculum; manual handling, moving equipment and vehicles, sharp hand tools, noise, slippery or uneven surfaces, and heat.

What suitable controls may be used to reduce OHS hazards?
Suitable controls may include following OHS procedures for the use and maintenance of equipment and machinery, use of protective clothing, handling and storage of hazardous substances, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, correct manual handling procedures, and the use and maintenance of suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in implementing a maintenance program for hydroponic systems requires evidence that a person can maintain a level of hygiene for themselves and the work environment, that equipment can be maintained according to enterprise guidelines, and that the environmental parameters and nutrient solutions in hydroponic systems can be tested, analysed, recorded and modified accordingly. The skills and knowledge required to implement a maintenance program must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different hydroponic systems, growing media, crops and enterprise procedures.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

equipment used in hydroponic systems
properties of a nutrient solution
testing methods for the gauging of environmental parameters
testing methods for a hydroponic nutrient solution
recirculated and non-recirculated systems
media choices and their properties
characteristics of healthy plants
potential problems associated with a range of crops grown in a hydroponic environment
environmental implications of the disposal of chemicals or chemical containers, and the drainage of high nutrient effluent.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

read and interpret design and layout plans
test and calibrate hydroponic equipment
monitor and test environment parameters and nutrient solutions
read and interpret test results accurately
record all test results clearly and concisely with attention to detail
undertake minor repairs of equipment, e.g. pumps, pipes and drippers
dispose of unused or waste materials from site in an environmentally safe and sensitive manner.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas may need to be communicated to the manager and/or owner operator if faults are found in the hydroponic equipment. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information may need to be collected, analysed and organised when testing and recording results on nutrient solutions. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Activities may need to be planned and organised according to enterprise guidelines. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may need to be applied when testing and adjusting environmental parameters. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques may need to be applied when testing and calibrating hydroponic equipment. (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving skills may need to be applied when the ingredients in a nutrient solution are out of balance. (2)

Using technology
The use of technology may be applied when maintaining the water quality in a recirculating hydroponic system. (2)