Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of co-ordinating a crop regulation program in which thinning and pruning of flower, fruit or vegetable crops is undertaken to control yield and quality and defines the standard required to: prepare for crop regulation activities; co-ordinate work groups; use a range of methods to achieve crop regulation goals; assess the effects on plant growth, habit and production levels of thinning and pruning operations; record or report activities; store and maintain equipment and materials.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall progress.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for the crop regulation program

1.1. The site and operational requirements of the crop regulation program are identified according to the site plan and enterprise work procedures.

1.2. Crop regulation materials are selected according to enterprise work procedures.

1.3. Services are located using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor.

1.4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed, controls implemented and reported to the supervisor.

1.5. Suitable safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are selected, used and maintained.

2. Prepare crop regulation equipment

2.1. Tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to enterprise work procedures.

2.2. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

2.3. Tools, equipment and machinery are calibrated and adjusted according to manufacturer's guidelines and enterprise work procedures.

3. Implement the crop regulation program

3.1. Enterprise work team and contractors are identified and work tasks are co-ordinated in a sequential, timely and effective manner in consultation with the supervisor.

3.2. Work pattern is planned to cover the site in an efficient, sequential and co-ordinated manner according to enterprise work procedures.

3.3. Crop regulation tasks are undertaken according to OHS requirements and with due consideration of the environmental implications.

3.4. Crop regulation tasks are monitored and remedial action is undertaken where necessary to achieve program objectives.

3.5. A clean and safe work area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.

4. Complete crop regulation activities

4.1. Waste material is removed from the site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.

4.2. Tools, equipment and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to enterprise work procedures.

4.3. Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communicate orally and in writing with work team members, supervisors and contractors
• utilise proforma recording, reporting and work procedure documents
• interpret site plans and crop regulation specifications
• measure quantities, calculate material requirements, area, volume, ratios and application rates, and calibrate machinery
• co-ordinate work group, contractors and own activities
• monitor enterprise plants for quality
• minimise noise, dust, high activity vehicle traffic and water run-off to prevent nuisance-level environmental disturbance
• use chemicals to label and MSDS directions
• carry out thinning and pruning techniques
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• principles of thinning and pruning and the methods used to achieve crop regulation goals
• effects on plant growth, habit and production levels of thinning and pruning operations in relation to the market goals of the enterprise
• enterprise quality procedures and characteristics of a crop relative to varying market requirements
• types of crop regulation materials
• safe work procedures for use of machinery and equipment
• environmental impacts of crop regulation and disposal of waste.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• prepare for crop regulation activities
• co-ordinate work groups
• use a range of methods to achieve crop regulation goals
• assess the effects on plant growth, habit and production levels of thinning and pruning operations
• record or report activities
• store and maintain equipment and materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Crop regulation methods may include:

• chemical and manual thinning
• selective harvesting
• training
• summer and winter pruning
• hedging, skirting, topping and trimming.

Unit sector 

Production horticulture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field