22179 version 1
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Maintain a hydroponic system
Level
3
Credits
5
Purpose
This unit standard is for people working, or intending to work, in horticulture.
People credited with this unit standard are able to maintain a hydroponic
system, and maintain plants in a hydroponic system.
Subfield
Horticulture
Domain
Production Horticulture
Status
Registered
Status date
25 July 2006
Date version published
25 July 2006
Planned review date
31 December 2011
Entry information
Open.
Replacement information
This unit standard and unit standard 22180 replaced unit
standard 782, unit standard 798, unit standard 838, unit
standard 2816, and unit standard 2817.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry
and teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0032
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Workplace procedures refer to verbal or written instructions to staff on procedures
for the worksite and equipment.
2
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
22179 version 1
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3
The hydroponic system may include plants grown in a nutrient film technique system
or grown in an inorganic substrate (pumice, sawdust, perlite/vermiculite or rockwool).
The irrigation system can be either a run to waste or circulatory operation.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Maintain a hydroponic system.
Performance criteria
1.1
Daily routine checks of the hydroponic system are made in accordance with
workplace procedures.
Range
may include but are not limited to – equipment monitoring, pipes,
nutrient levels and temperatures, flow rate.
1.2
Nutrients are measured, dissolved, and added in accordance with workplace
procedures and maintained to required concentrations to meet crop needs.
1.3
Flow rates are adjusted to maintain consistency with crop needs.
1.4
Old nutrient solutions are discarded, and a new batch of nutrient solution is
started in accordance with workplace procedures.
1.5
Techniques to minimise plant damage in the event of pump failure are
described.
1.6
Data is recorded on a daily basis for a three month period.
Range
may include but is not limited to – air temperature, nutrient
concentrations, nutrient levels, routine maintenance.
Element 2
Maintain plants in a hydroponic system.
Performance criteria
2.1
Young plants are established in a hydroponic system in accordance with
workplace procedures.
2.2
Root development of plants in a hydroponic system is monitored in accordance
with workplace procedures.
2.3
Plants that are diseased or unhealthy are identified.
2.4
Blockages from root growth are identified and monitored.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
22179 version 1
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Please note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority, or an inter-institutional body
with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from
assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP 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 via their website
www.primaryito.ac.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016