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Title / Describe the role of elements and fertilisers in primary production, and soil testing
Level / 3 / Credits / 6
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the roles that elements play in plant health and growth; influence of trace elements on plant health and growth; major types of fertilisers used in primary production; steps in taking samples for a soil test, and additional information to be submitted with a soil test; and demonstrate knowledge of fertiliser compounds and blends, and their compatibility.
Classification / Agriculture > General Agriculture
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
Reference
Code of Practice for Nutrient Management, New Zealand Fertiliser Manufacturer’s Research Association Incorporated (NZFMRA), 2007, available from http://www.fertresearch.org.nz.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the roles that elements play in plant health and growth.
Evidence requirements
1.1 Soil pH is described in terms of its range and effect on nutrient and trace element availability, soil structure and organisms, and plant growth tolerances.
1.2 Macro nutrients and major trace elements significant to one type of primary production are identified by name and chemical symbols.
1.3 Common nutrient deficiencies of New Zealand soils are defined in terms of their symptoms and effects on plant growth.
Range phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, nitrogen.
Outcome 2
Describe the influence of trace elements on plant health and growth.
Evidence requirements
2.1 The role of trace elements in plant processes is described in terms of plant responses to the presence or absence of trace elements.
2.2 Typical plant trace element deficiency and toxicity responses are recognised for a range of trace elements within one type of primary production and region.
Outcome 3
Describe the major types of fertilisers used in primary production.
Range evidence is required for at least four fertilisers.
Evidence requirements
3.1 Major forms of fertiliser used in primary production are described and differentiated in accordance with the nutrient or nutrients supplied.
Range method of application, application rates, environmental implications;
evidence is required for one sector of agriculture.
3.2 Nitrogen / Phosphorous / Potassium / Sulphur (NPKS) rating is defined in terms of percentages of nutrients available and their contribution to soil fertility.
3.3 Target fertility levels are described in terms of the optimum level for the property soil type, and type of enterprise.
3.4 The timing of fertiliser application is described in relation to weather conditions, soil type, and plant growth curves.
Outcome 4
Describe the steps in taking samples for a soil test, and additional information to be submitted with a soil test.
Evidence requirements
4.1 The sampling method is defined in terms of its suitability for the property, and laboratory directions.
4.2 Sampling procedure is described as specified by a soil testing laboratory.
4.3 Additional information required to be supplied with a soil test is described in accordance with testing laboratory requirements.
4.4 Soil tests are described in terms of the implications of nutrient level results.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate knowledge of fertiliser compounds and blends, and their compatibility.
Range evidence is required for at least two compounds, two blends.
Evidence requirements
5.1 Fertiliser compounds and blends, are described in terms of their usage.
5.2 Fertiliser compounds and blends are described in terms of chemical and physical compatibility, and implications for handling and transport.
5.3 Fertiliser compounds and blends are described in terms of chemical and physical compatibility, and implications for spreading.
Replacement information / This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 28921This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment /Registration / 1 / 25 June 2002 / 31 December 2018
Review / 2 / 20 May 2008 / 31 December 2018
Review / 3 / 16 July 2015 / 31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0052
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / Ó New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015 / New Zealand Qualifications Aut