9078 version 3
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Determine soil and fertiliser requirements for growing grain, seeds, and
crops
Level
4
Credits
20
Purpose
This unit standard is for people working in the rural servicing industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: establish sources of a soil
problem; draw soil samples; interpret results of a soil test; and recommend
solutions to soil problems to the client.
Subfield
Agriculture
Domain
Grain, Seeds, and Crops
Status
Registered
Status date
20 June 2006
Date version published
20 June 2006
Planned review date
31 December 2011
Entry information
Open.
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
0052
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Performance of the elements of this unit standard must comply with the following
legislation and standards:
Resource Management Act 1991;
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO);
Regional Council, Territorial authority, and Unitary authority, standards.
2
Definition
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
9078 version 3
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Organisational procedures refer to verbal and written instructions to staff on
procedures for communicating with clients.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Establish sources of a soil problem.
Range
drainage, compaction, erosion, soil structure, chemical residue, soil fertility.
Performance criteria
1.1
Factors which are likely to indicate a soil problem are described in relation to
paddock history, and stock health.
1.2
Factors which are likely to indicate a soil problem are described in relation to
plant species present or absent that are evidence of soil fertility, soil deficiency,
soil type, and chemical residue.
1.3
Source of soil problem is supported by identification of weeds present; water
present; soil texture and structure; and Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium,
Sulphur (N,P,K,S) soil test.
Element 2
Draw soil samples.
Range
soil test may include but is not limited to – pH, N, P, K, S.
Performance criteria
2.1
Soil samples are taken in accordance with the soil test requirements.
2.2
Soil samples are representative of the area established as the source of the
problem.
2.3
Soil is drawn, identified, stored, and transported in accordance with the soil kit
instructions.
2.4
Soil samples are taken in a manner which avoids contamination of sample in
accordance with soil test requirements and soil test kit instructions.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
9078 version 3
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Element 3
Interpret results of a soil test.
Range
soil test may include but is not limited to – pH, N, P, K, S.
Performance criteria
3.1
Test data is described in terms of the soil test requirements and soil kit
instructions.
3.2
Technical advice is sought in terms of additional interpretation, specialist
knowledge, and clarification of results.
3.3
Results are explained to the client in accordance with organisational
procedures.
Element 4
Recommend solutions to soil problems to the client.
Range
solutions may include but are not limited to – cultivation, drainage systems,
fertiliser, organic matter, fallow.
Performance criteria
4.1
Recommended actions match the diagnosis of problem and the client’s need for
detail.
4.2
Solutions are cost effective in terms of the client’s objectives.
Range
4.3
purchase, transport, application costs.
Recommendations meet legislative, and health and safety requirements, and
organisational procedures.
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.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
9078 version 3
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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 standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016