NZQA registered unit standard
20570 version 3
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Title
Demonstrate knowledge of nursery growing media and soils
Level
2
Credits
5
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the
properties of growing media; explain the characteristics of soilless growing media; and explain the characteristics of soil as a
growing medium.
Classification
Horticulture > Nursery Production
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
When handling soil-less growing medias use of PPE (personal protective equipment) such
as gloves, goggles, and other body coverings are recommended to avoid Legionella, a
pathogenic and species that can cause Legionellosis or Legionnaires’ disease.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Explain the properties of growing media.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The two main types of nursery growing media are defined.
Range
1.2
The properties of growing media are recognised.
Range
1.3
soil-less container media, soil in the field.
may include aeration, drainage, water retention, nutrient supply,
pH level, anchorage and support, health status.
The uses of growing media are described.
Range
plant propagation, container-grown plants, field-grown plants.
Outcome 2
Explain the characteristics of soil-less growing media.
Evidence requirements
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.1
Common soil-less media ingredients are described.
Range
2.2
may include rewetting difficulties, breakdown of
ingredients, poor physical properties, cost of ingredients.
organic
Examples of soil-less growing media are listed with examples of the types of
plants suitable for growing in them.
Range
2.6
may include fertilisers, lime, dolomite, wetting agents, water
crystals, pest and/or disease controls.
Factors that limit soil-less media use are described.
Range
2.5
physical, chemical, and biological.
Materials added to soil-less media to improve physical, chemical and biological
properties are described.
Range
2.4
may include bark, pumice, sand, peat coir fibre, rockwool,
hydroponics, nutrient film technique (NFT), organic mix.
Properties of soil-less media are explained in general terms.
Range
2.3
20570 version 3
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three soil-less media examples, two plant examples for each
medium.
Potential sources of growing medium contamination are identified at
preparation, mixing, storage, and movement stages and how they are avoided
or controlled is described.
Outcome 3
Explain the characteristics of soil as a growing medium.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Soils suitable for field grown nursery crops are identified in general terms.
3.2
Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties are explained in general
terms.
3.3
Materials added to soil to improve physical chemical and biological properties
are described.
Range
3.4
may include fertilisers, lime, organic matter, pest and/or disease
controls.
The preparation of soil for a nursery crop is described.
Range
may include cultivation, liming, fertilisers, irrigation, drainage, bed
forming.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
3.5
Factors that limit soil use are described.
Range
3.6
20570 version 3
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may include soil too wet or too dry, soil depth, soil temperature,
poor soil structure, soil contamination, land purchase price.
Examples of soil types suitable for field grown nursery crops are listed, with
examples of the types of plants suitable for growing in them.
Range
three soil types, two plant examples for each soil.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
23 February 2004
31 December 2014
Revision
2
24 February 2006
31 December 2014
Review
3
19 April 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0032
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR 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.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016