Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What plants may be relevant to this competency standard?
Plants may include species and cultivars that are containerised and open-grown; fruit, vegetable and herb crops; flower, foliage and oil crops; turf grasses and broad-leaf species and varieties.

From where might information be sourced for input to the planning process?
Information may come from a range of internal and external sources that might include records of previous programs, industry journals, and industry seminars/workshops.

What are the impacts that might be considered when determining long-term strategies?
The impacts may be those that cause financial, environmental, labour, OHS, and opportunity costs to the organisation.

What are the methods that might be used in plant health management?
Control of plant and insect pests and diseases, plant nutritional programs and fertilizing, amendments to soil structure and characteristics, canopy management, pruning, watering, cultural practices, and plant selection.

What are the OHS issues that impact on plant health management?
They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances; chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects; systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts; safe manual handling systems and procedures; safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation; selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment; and fire risk.

What other planning processes may be considered when planning for plant health management?
The planning processes that deal with other discrete areas of the organisation include those such as production planning, irrigation planning, pasture and crop management planning, recreation/amenity use, property management planning, business planning, and marketing.

What might affect the scheduling of treatments?
Timing of treatments is planned to suit seasonal influences, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisations resource situation.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?Competence in managing plant health requires evidence that plant health has been successfully and appropriately planned and managed within an enterprise to industry standards. The skills and knowledge required to manage plant health must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different plants, environmental parameters, treatments and enterprises.
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 unit are listed below:

strategic aspects of managing plant quality, performance and nutrition
management of weed, pest and disease infestations
planning water budgets and irrigation strategies
plant growth processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake, solute transport, and metabolism, water balance and osmotic pressure
plant growth and development and growth regulators
integrated pest management (IPM)
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to plant health management operations
sound management practices and processes to minimise plant health management control operations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

develop a plant health and management program
determine plant health strategies
provide input to other planning processes
determine scheduling and key responsibilities
monitor and adjust plant health management strategies
evaluate plant health management strategies and record results.

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
With the full range of staff and industry participants. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through using the variety of sources available for input to decision-making. (3)

Planning and organising activities
In developing plans and directions for the long-term plant health management. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Through involvement of contractors, consultants and other staff in managing plant health. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Through analysing statistical data on plant growth and performance. (3)

Solving problems
Through recognition and diagnosis of symptoms of poor health and nutrition in plants. (3)

Using technology
Through use of computers and communication systems. (3)