Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of plant propagation by both sexual and asexual methods and defines the standard required to: prepare tools and propagation materials for work; prepare workspaces for propagation activities; use a range of propagation methods to produce new crops; place or prepare for placing newly propagated material in appropriate growing environment; record propagation activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of implementing a propagation plan and involves working within routine methods and procedures under limited supervision, with checking only related to overall progress. Some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions and achieving outcomes within time constraints.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for propagation activities

1.1. Workplace information is interpreted and tasks organised to achieve daily work routine within time constraints.

1.2. Tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to propagation method and enterprise work procedures.

1.3. Growing environment is prepared to suit species and propagation method.

1.4. Hygiene practices are implemented according to enterprise guidelines.

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

2. Select propagation material

2.1. Parent plant is identified and selected according to health, vigour and desired characteristics.

2.2. Propagation material is selected and collected according to the propagation method, and species.

2.3. Conditioning and storage requirements are selected to ensure maximum viability of propagating material.

3. Prepare propagating media

3.1. Media components are selected according to manufacturer directions, enterprise guidelines, propagation method and plant needs.

3.2. Propagation media is tested to ensure the product complies with media specifications.

3.3. Media and components are handled according to OHS requirements.

3.4. Storage requirements for the unused propagation media are selected.

4. Propagate plants

4.1. Propagation material is prepared according to the propagation method and species.

4.2. Propagation techniques are performed according to plant species and documented guidelines.

4.3. Plants are handled in a way that minimises damage.

4.4. Aftercare is applied to suit the media conditions, plant requirements and propagation techniques employed.

5. Complete propagation operations

5.1. Ensure work site is cleaned according to hygiene requirements.

5.2. Waste is collected and disposed of or recycled to minimise damage to the external environment in accordance with enterprise guidelines.

5.3. Records are completed accurately and at the required time according to documented guidelines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• select appropriate propagation material
• identify and assess hazards in the work area
• recognise and rectify problems and anomalies with parent plants, propagation material, propagation media, equipment and materials
• use propagation techniques for a range of plants
• use a diversity of propagation techniques
• prepare, mix and use chemicals as required
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• 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 

• quality specifications for parent plants and propagation materials
• enterprise and industry hygiene standards required for propagation activities
• common problems that may occur while performing propagation activities in a controlled environment, and preventative/corrective action that may apply
• propagation techniques required for a range of plants
• aftercare requirements for a range of propagated plants
• testing methods applied to propagation media
• preferred types of propagation media for different species.

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 tools and propagation materials for work
• prepare workspaces for propagation activities
• use a range of propagation methods to produce new crops
• place or prepare for placing newly propagated material in appropriate growing environment
• record propagation activities.

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.

Methods of propagation may include:

• sexual and asexual methods of propagation including tissue culture.

Propagation material may include:

• seeds
• cuttings
• spores
• rootstock
• scion
• rootlings
• buds
• separations/divisions
• tissue cultures
• rhizomes
• plantlets.

Propagating media may include:

• sand
• potting mix
• agar
• gravel
• scoria
• rock wool
• gro-wool
• sawdust
• pine bark
• perlite
• vermiculite
• water (hydroponics).

Unit sector 

Nursery

Co-requisite units 

Competency field