27705 Select, Collect and Prepare Seeds for Plant Propagation Purposes

Explanatory notes

1Definitions

Workplace procedures refer to oral or written instructions to staff on procedures for the worksite and equipment.

Eco-sourcing refers to the sourcing of seeds or other plant material in such a way that the genetic diversity of the local population is maintained; this definition embodies the principles of: collecting seed from the same area in which to plant the plants grown from them, collecting seed from natural plant communities or populations, collecting from a range of individuals within that population.

2Legislation relevant to this unit standard included but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987, the Resource Management Act 1991; and their subsequent amendments.

3The following standards may apply to this unit standard: Demeter Standards, established by the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association (BDFGA), available from Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association (in New Zealand) Incorporated, PO Box 39045, Wellington Mail Centre, Phone 04 589 5366, Fax 04 589 4365; BIO-GRO Standards, established by BIO-GRO New Zealand (previously known as the New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Council Inc.), available from BIO-GRO New Zealand, PO Box 9693, Marion Square, Wellington, Phone 04 801 9741, Fax 04 801 974.

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Describe seeds as a method of nursery propagation, seed selection criteria and characteristics of suitable seed.

Evidence requirements

1.1Seeds as a method of nursery propagation are described in terms of the factors that influence seed use.

Rangefactors may include but are not limited to – seed variability, economic factors, large scale plantings, natives, conservation of genetic resources, plant breeding, rootstocks for budding and grafting, annual plant production, perennial production, organic systems.

1.2Seed selection criteria are described in terms of what constitutes suitable seeds.

Rangecriteria may include but is not limited to – true to type, collected from strong and healthy plants, mature healthy seed, suitable for climatic and site conditions, proven seed production history, proven pest and disease resistant qualities, specified eco-sourcing requirements, organic status, compliance with certifying agency requirements, compliance with Demeter Standards.

1.3Characteristics of suitable seeds for collection are described in terms of considerations when collecting seeds.

Rangemay include but not limited to – disease-free, fruit colour and softness, wing development and colour, seed and embryo maturity, ease of seed removal, optimum time to collect.

Outcome 2

Select and collect seeds.

Rangeevidence is required for at least five different species, with a minimum of 50 seeds for each species.

Evidence requirements

2.1Approval to collect seeds is obtained where necessary in accordance with workplace procedures, Plant Variety Rights (PVR), and permission from landowners.

2.2Seeds and source plant are visually inspected prior to collection to ensure seed collection criteria are met.

2.3Seeds are collected and handled in accordance with workplace procedures to maintain maximum viability.

Rangecollection methods may include but are not limited to – hand or machine, ladders, shaking, cherry-pickers, selective pruning, felling, eco-sourcing.

2.4Seeds are labelled and collection details are identified in accordance with workplace procedures.

Rangedate, plant species name, origin information/provenance.

Outcome 3

Clean, treat, store seeds and maintain seed storage records.

Evidence requirements

3.1Seed is separated from other materials and cleaned in accordance with workplace procedures to ensure seed trays are disease and pest free and seeds are ready for treatments.

Range may include but not limited to – removal of wings, removal of encasing flesh, removal from cones or seed pods, sieving, vibrating, flotation, wet and dry techniques, winnowing, threshing.

3.2Seed treatment techniques are used to enhance and maintain seed viability.

Range seed treatments may include but are not limited to – soaking, drying, post harvest seed stratification specific to each species; a period of cooling or warm temperature, moisture, aeration levels, scarification, chemical treatments to protect from pests or disease.

3.3Seed is stored in accordance with species requirements and workplace procedures to maintain viability, maturity and storage life.

Range may include but not limited to – optimum temperature, light and moisture levels, aeration, insect damage control, vacuum sealing, controlled inert atmospheres.

3.4Seed storage records are maintained and updated in accordance with workplace procedures.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

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.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.