22174 version 1
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Demonstrate knowledge of soils and fertilisers
Level
2
Credits
5
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the composition
of soil; identify soil texture and structure; describe two soils using the New
Zealand Soil Classification; and describe the role of fertiliser for plant health
and growth.
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 22175 replaced unit
standard 14, unit standard 33, unit standard 34, and unit
standard 35.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
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
The New Zealand Soil Classification is used in this unit standard as the basis for
describing soils in New Zealand. Information on the New Zealand Soil Classification
is available at http://soils.landcareresearch.co.nz.
2
Recommended reading for this unit standard includes: Molloy, L Soils in the New
Zealand Landscape – The Living Mantle, 2nd Edition (New Zealand Society of Soil
Science, 1998) available at http://www.mwpress.co.nz.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
22174 version 1
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Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Describe the composition of soil.
Performance criteria
1.1
Major components of soil are defined in terms of their composition, relative size,
and proportions.
Range
1.2
Major components of soils are discussed with reference to their influence on
plant growth.
Range
1.3
mineral particles, organic material, water, air.
mineral particles, organic material, water, air.
Main soil horizons are outlined in terms of their composition.
Range
litter layer, topsoil, subsoil, parent material.
Element 2
Identify soil texture and structure.
Performance criteria
2.1
Soil aggregates are described in terms of their effects on plant growth.
Range
2.2
Major soil textural types are identified by feel and sight.
Range
2.3
aggregates – crumb, block, platy, fine;
descriptions must include appearance and size.
sand, sandy loam, silt loam, clay loam, clay.
Soil structure is described in terms of its affect on plant growth.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
22174 version 1
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Element 3
Describe two soils using the New Zealand Soil Classification.
Range
may include but are not limited to – volcanic loams, brown earths, coastal
sands, organic soils, podzols, pumice soils, brown clays, and recent alluvial
soils.
Performance criteria
3.1
The characteristics of the soils selected are described and compared according
to their use.
Range
drainage, parent material, structure, nutrient deficiencies, texture,
potential for plant growth.
3.2
Soils selected are described in terms of how they are formed.
3.3
Soils selected are identified according to their location and use in New Zealand.
Element 4
Describe the role of fertiliser for plant health and growth.
Performance criteria
4.1
Macronutrients and micronutrients are defined in terms of how they affect plant
growth.
4.2
Fertilisers and lime are identified in terms of how they influence plant growth.
Range
4.3
lime, nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilisers.
Fertilisers and lime are discussed in terms of how they can be altered to affect
plant growth.
Range
soil testing, leaf analysis, monitoring of fertiliser applications, soil
and plant deficiencies and toxicities.
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.
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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 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