10956 version 3
28-Jun-16
1 of 4
FOREST NURSERY
Demonstrate knowledge of the steps
involved in producing a high quality
bare root seedling
level:
4
credit:
4
planned review date:
June 2008
sub-field:
Horticulture
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to
demonstrate knowledge of: sowing depth and spacing; weed,
pest, and disease control, and the maintenance of seedling
vigour; seedling conditioning and topping; and lifting and root
trimming principles.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by the Primary Industry Training
Organisation.
special notes:
The study of radiata pine nursery practice may be used as
the basis for this unit standard. The principles involved are
equally applicable to other bare root tree seedling crops.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
10956 version 3
28-Jun-16
2 of 4
FOREST NURSERY
Demonstrate knowledge of the steps
involved in producing a high quality
bare root seedling
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of sowing depth and spacing.
performance criteria
1.1
Optimum depth of sowing is stated, and the effects of sowing depth on seedling
emergence are identified.
Range:
1.2
seed thickness, drying out, seed covering, herbicide damage.
Optimum spacings and the effect of spacing on seedling development are
identified.
Range:
sturdiness, basal branch development, root collar diameter, light,
geographical location of nursery.
element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of weed, pest, and disease control and of maintenance of
seedling vigour.
performance criteria
2.1
Optimum weed control outcomes are stated, and the consequences of
inadequate weed control on seedling quality and on nursery management are
identified.
Range:
2.2
weed competition, root damage, hand weeding, weed seeds,
residual herbicides, knock down herbicides, selective and non
selective herbicides, spot spraying, time of application, lifting
costs.
Major pests and diseases are identified with reference to their effect on seedling
quality.
Range:
malformation, culling.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
10956 version 3
28-Jun-16
3 of 4
FOREST NURSERY
Demonstrate knowledge of the steps
involved in producing a high quality
bare root seedling
2.3
Practices used to maintain seedling vigour are outlined in relation to the
nutritional requirements of seedlings.
Range:
inter-row fertiliser applications, foliar applications, deficiency
systems, rates, timing.
element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of seedling conditioning and topping.
performance criteria
3.1
Conditioning treatments are described in relation to their effect on seedling
development.
Range:
3.2
height growth, diameter growth, sturdiness, root development,
mycorrhizal development, undercutting, lateral root pruning,
wrenching.
The need for topping and topping practices are outlined with reference to their
effect on seedling shoot development.
Range:
fascicle buds, small shoots, hardening off.
element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of lifting and root trimming principles.
performance criteria
4.1
Lifting techniques are detailed, and their effect on seedling quality is identified.
Range:
4.2
pre-lift loosening by machine, pre-lift loosening by hand, foliage
damage, root stripping, teasing, bunch lifting, single tree lifting,
tertiary roots, mycorrhizae, exposure, root regeneration, height
growth.
Root trimming is explained with reference to its effect on root placement at time
of planting.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
10956 version 3
28-Jun-16
4 of 4
FOREST NURSERY
Demonstrate knowledge of the steps
involved in producing a high quality
bare root seedling
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Primary Industry Training Organisation http://www.primaryito.ac.nz if you
wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register 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 providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0032
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
which can
be
accessed at
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016