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 particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What crops may be regulated?
Crops may include flower, fruit and vegetable crops.

What resources may be used for research?
Knowledge of plant species and cultivars, their uses, performance characteristics and growing requirements may be gained through consultation with team members, senior managers, own knowledge, specific industry, technical and research literature, supplier specifications, catalogues, enterprise sales figures and production records, local historical performance data, and industry best practice guidelines.

What crop regulation methods may apply to this standard?
Crop regulation methods may include manual thinning, chemical thinning, selective harvesting, training, summer and winter pruning, hedging, skirting, topping, trimming, Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), and plant nutrition programs.

What resources may be required for a crop regulation program?
Crop regulation methods may include manual thinning, chemical thinning, selective harvesting, training, summer and winter pruning, hedging, skirting, topping, trimming, Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), and plant nutrition programs.

What tools, equipment and machinery may be required for the implementation of the crop regulation program?
Application equipment and machinery may include backpack spray equipment, tractors and trailed or 3 point linkage spreaders, seeders, rippers and spray equipment, pumps and pump fittings, and irrigation systems set up for fertigation.
Pruning tools, equipment and machinery may include knives, handsaws, hand and battery-powered secateurs, pneumatic snips and compressor, hedge trimmers both manual and powered, small chainsaws, specialised mechanical pruning machinery, chippers, ladders, picking platforms, powered ladders and scissor lifts.
Plant training equipment may include trellising and specialised training systems.

What OHS hazards may be identified as part of the crop regulation program?
Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, air-, soil- and water-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, slippery and uneven surfaces, and flying objects.

What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards?
Controls should be introduced according to enterprise OHS policies and procedures and may include identifying hazards; assessing and reporting risks; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers; basic first aid available on site; personal hygiene, and reporting problems to supervisors.

What environmental implications may be associated with the implementation of a crop regulation program?
Over-application or run-off into the external environment may result in nutrient overload or excess water to native plants, natural waterways, water tables and ecosystems, water erosion, water logging and salinisation.
Beneficial impacts may include the minimisation of nutrient run-off and toxic side effects in soil and the surrounding environment from improved assessment and targeting of nutrient and irrigation requirements, application techniques and rates, and the reduction of toxic side effects of applied nutrients in the crop plants.

What range of conditions may affect the crop regulation program?
Over-application or run-off into the external environment may result in nutrient overload or excess water to native plants, natural waterways, watertables and ecosystems, water erosion, water logging and salinisation.
Beneficial impacts may include the minimisation of nutrient run-off and toxic side effects in soil and the surrounding environment from improved assessment and targeting of nutrient and irrigation requirements, application techniques and rates, and the reduction of toxic side effects of applied nutrients in the crop plants.

What remedial action may be undertaken to improve the crop regulation program?
Remedial action may include adjustments to thinning and pruning rates and levels, irrigation scheduling and nutrient application rates and methods, the use of foliar sprays, and changes to soil management practices.

What crops may be regulated?
Crops may include flower, fruit and vegetable crops.

What resources may be used for research?
Knowledge of plant species and cultivars, their uses, performance characteristics and growing requirements may be gained through consultation with team members, senior managers, own knowledge, specific industry, technical and research literature, supplier specifications, catalogues, enterprise sales figures and production records, local historical performance data, and industry best practice guidelines.

What crop regulation methods may apply to this standard?
Crop regulation methods may include manual thinning, chemical thinning, selective harvesting, training, summer and winter pruning, hedging, skirting, topping, trimming, Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), and plant nutrition programs.

What resources may be required for a crop regulation program?
Crop regulation methods may include manual thinning, chemical thinning, selective harvesting, training, summer and winter pruning, hedging, skirting, topping, trimming, Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), and plant nutrition programs.

What tools, equipment and machinery may be required for the implementation of the crop regulation program?
Application equipment and machinery may include backpack spray equipment, tractors and trailed or 3 point linkage spreaders, seeders, rippers and spray equipment, pumps and pump fittings, and irrigation systems set up for fertigation.
Pruning tools, equipment and machinery may include knives, handsaws, hand and battery-powered secateurs, pneumatic snips and compressor, hedge trimmers both manual and powered, small chainsaws, specialised mechanical pruning machinery, chippers, ladders, picking platforms, powered ladders and scissor lifts.
Plant training equipment may include trellising and specialised training systems.

What OHS hazards may be identified as part of the crop regulation program?
Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, air-, soil- and water-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, slippery and uneven surfaces, and flying objects.

What controls may be introduced to minimise the risk of OHS hazards?
Controls should be introduced according to enterprise OHS policies and procedures and may include identifying hazards; assessing and reporting risks; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; appropriate use of safety equipment such as signage and protective barriers; basic first aid available on site; personal hygiene, and reporting problems to supervisors.

What environmental implications may be associated with the implementation of a crop regulation program?
Over-application or run-off into the external environment may result in nutrient overload or excess water to native plants, natural waterways, water tables and ecosystems, water erosion, water logging and salinisation.
Beneficial impacts may include the minimisation of nutrient run-off and toxic side effects in soil and the surrounding environment from improved assessment and targeting of nutrient and irrigation requirements, application techniques and rates, and the reduction of toxic side effects of applied nutrients in the crop plants.

What range of conditions may affect the crop regulation program?
Over-application or run-off into the external environment may result in nutrient overload or excess water to native plants, natural waterways, watertables and ecosystems, water erosion, water logging and salinisation.
Beneficial impacts may include the minimisation of nutrient run-off and toxic side effects in soil and the surrounding environment from improved assessment and targeting of nutrient and irrigation requirements, application techniques and rates, and the reduction of toxic side effects of applied nutrients in the crop plants.

What remedial action may be undertaken to improve the crop regulation program?
Remedial action may include adjustments to thinning and pruning rates and levels, irrigation scheduling and nutrient application rates and methods, the use of foliar sprays, and changes to soil management practices.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in developing a crop regulation program requires evidence that a person can assess and select cost effective techniques, resources and equipment for the regulation of horticultural crops, and prepare implementation plans, specifications and associated documents in line with the enterprises crop production plan.
The skills and knowledge required to develop a crop regulation program must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different crops types, horticultural management practices, and worksites.
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:

site evaluation techniques including analysis of the condition of soils, plants and the site for production activities
the characteristics of soil and other growth media types and the use of additives to enhance the available nutrition for specific plant species and cultivars
the relationship between enterprise crop regulation methods such as thinning, pruning and RDI, and the yield and quality of specific crops
processes and techniques for preparing, costing and documenting plans for and scheduling crop regulation activities.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

communicate and negotiate orally and in writing with the staff, managers, contractors and consultants
research and evaluate information
record all relevant information
comply with legislative requirements
document plans, specifications and work procedures, and write reports for the understanding of staff, managers and contractors
calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the crop regulation program.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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:

site evaluation techniques including analysis of the condition of soils, plants and the site for production activities
the characteristics of soil and other growth media types and the use of additives to enhance the available nutrition for specific plant species and cultivars
the relationship between enterprise crop regulation methods such as thinning, pruning and RDI, and the yield and quality of specific crops
processes and techniques for preparing, costing and documenting plans for and scheduling crop regulation activities.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

communicate and negotiate orally and in writing with the staff, managers, contractors and consultants
research and evaluate information
record all relevant information
comply with legislative requirements
document plans, specifications and work procedures, and write reports for the understanding of staff, managers and contractors
calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the crop regulation program.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

Communicating ideas and information
Results of the cost benefit analysis of crop regulation methods and selection of resources and equipment should be communicated with the manager orally and in writing. There is likely to be negotiation between the developer of the crop regulation program and the manager to achieve the program objectives. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Results of the cost benefit analysis of crop regulation methods and selection of resources and equipment should be communicated with the manager orally and in writing. There is likely to be negotiation between the developer of the crop regulation program and the manager to achieve the program objectives. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information will need to be obtained from field results, research and/or industry experts. Information obtained about specific crop regulation methods should be analysed and outcomes discussed with the manager and other members of the work team. Information about the crop regulation program should be organised and presented as a site plan, documented plans, written work procedures, a timeline chart, and schedules for implementation activities. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information will need to be obtained from field results, research and/or industry experts. Information obtained about specific crop regulation methods should be analysed and outcomes discussed with the manager and other members of the work team. Information about the crop regulation program should be organised and presented as a site plan, documented plans, written work procedures, a timeline chart, and schedules for implementation activities. (3)

Planning and organising activities
The planning process should proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. Timely and appropriate information needs to be available for decision-making. The crop regulation program should reflect the activities required to implement the program. (3)

Planning and organising activities
The planning process should proceed in an orderly and efficient manner. Timely and appropriate information needs to be available for decision-making. The crop regulation program should reflect the activities required to implement the program. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Developing a crop regulation program will involve working with other members of a team to achieve the program objectives. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Developing a crop regulation program will involve working with other members of a team to achieve the program objectives. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts will be required to measure quantities, distances and depth, and to calculate areas, resources, costs, ratios, scales and application rates. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts will be required to measure quantities, distances and depth, and to calculate areas, resources, costs, ratios, scales and application rates. (3)

Solving problems
Problems relating to crop regulation techniques and procedures, nature of the site, availability of resources and equipment, costs, environmental issues, and monitoring of the program may arise during development of the crop regulation program and will require remedial action. (3)

Solving problems
Problems relating to crop regulation techniques and procedures, nature of the site, availability of resources and equipment, costs, environmental issues, and monitoring of the program may arise during development of the crop regulation program and will require remedial action. (3)

Using technology
Technology will be required to record, store and communicate ideas and information. It will also be used to research relevant information, obtain and analyse data from site evaluation tests, and to produce the crop regulation program. (3)

Using technology
Technology will be required to record, store and communicate ideas and information. It will also be used to research relevant information, obtain and analyse data from site evaluation tests, and to produce the crop regulation program. (3)