NZQA registered unit standard
27706 version 1
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory micropropagation processes
and exflask and acclimatise plants in a nursery
Level
4
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of the stages and processes of micropropagation for
plants in a laboratory; exflask and acclimatise plants in a
nursery environment; and keep records of micropropagation.
Classification
Horticulture > Nursery Production
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills and
knowledge
Unit 27707, Demonstrate knowledge of plant propagation by
budding, grafting, layering and tissue culture; and Unit
27708, Demonstrate knowledge of sexual and asexual plant
propagation; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and
skills.
Explanatory notes
1
Definitions
Exflasking also referred to as deflasking is the process of removing the propagated
materials from their protected environment.
General greenhouse condition refers to weaning and the gradual exposing of the
plants to higher light, less humidity and air movement.
Hardening off also called weaning refers to a term used in the nursery stages of
micropropagation, when the plants are removed from laboratory conditions and are
prepared for a natural growing environment.
Workplace procedures refer to oral 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; the Resource Management Act 1991, the Plant
Variety Rights Act 1987; and their subsequent amendments.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27706 version 1
Page 2 of 4
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the stages and processes of micropropagation for plants in a
laboratory.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The plant selection process is explained in terms of obtaining suitable plant
material.
1.2
The processes of cleaning, cutting and the establishment of plant material into
aseptic conditions is explained in terms of their importance to successful
micropropagation.
1.3
The multiplication stage for multiple shoot development is explained in terms of
the plant requirements.
1.4
The process of root initiation and development is explained in terms of the plant
requirements.
Outcome 2
Exflask and acclimatise plants in a nursery environment.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Plants are taken from the laboratory container and carefully placed into nursery
trays containing new, well drained growing media in accordance with workplace
procedures.
2.2
New plants are handled with care, protected and kept moist with water to
prevent moisture loss, in accordance with workplace procedures.
Range
2.3
Trays containing plants are placed in an environment that maintains consistent
high humidity.
Range
2.4
tweezers to lift out delicate plants, remove excess agar, sufficient
water to keep plants turgid at all times, no draughts, no high
lighting.
may include - misting, fogging, tenting methods.
Plants are gradually introduced to general greenhouse conditions, kept in a
humid environment until they harden off and new roots develop that are
sufficient for the plants to be self sustaining.
Range
a minimum of ten days sometimes to up to three months with a
gradual reduction in humidity, increased lighting, air movement.
Outcome 3
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27706 version 1
Page 3 of 4
Keep records of micropropagation.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Records required for the micropropagation processes in a laboratory are
described in terms of information collected.
Range
3.2
may include - genus, species, cultivar, code, source of
micropropagation material, collection dates, initiation dates,
cultures used, growth room conditions, any further culturing dates
root and shoot growth development, operator, shipping dates.
Nursery records are maintained relating to the use of micropropagated material
in the nursery in accordance with workplace procedures.
Range
may include plant name - genus, species and/or cultivar, date and
batch number, laboratory source, exflasking date, moisture level
requirements, growing media rooting times, rooting and saleable
percentages, potting dates, ongoing growing requirements
including feeding and trimming, shipping dates.
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
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.
Primary Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 101558
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27706 version 1
Page 4 of 4
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