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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Provide nutrition to plants and landscapes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264180  Provide nutrition to plants and landscapes 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Describe the benefits of applying the appropriate nutrition to ornamental plants and landscapes.
  • Recognise the various types of fertilisers and their composition.
  • Demonstrate soil sampling techniques.
  • Utilise knowledge of nutrition to successfully propagate and maintain ornamental plants. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 1 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the various nutrients required by garden plants and the methods of providing these. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nutrient deficiencies that occur in cultivated soils versus uncultivated are explained in terms of the soil's limitations to continuously provide the nutrients for plant growth. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The macro elements that are often lacking in soils are listed and the reasons why these are considered as the "essential elements" are explained in terms of their contribution to the health and growth of plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The major trace elements required by plants are identified and a description of the specific functions that they perform are listed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Organic fertilisers are described in terms of the various forms in which they are available for plant feeding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Synthetic fertilisers are described in terms of the different forms in which they are available for plant feeding. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct soil sampling to obtain a nutrient analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons why soil sampling should be conducted are explained in respect of the benefits that result from the analysis of the soil's nutrient content and its deficiencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The necessity of taking a representative soil sample is explained in terms of ensuring that the sample is characteristic of the planted area or propagation soil. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The methods of collecting the soil samples are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The occasions when separate samples must be taken from one site are explained in terms of the differing soil types that may occur on that site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of using a new unused container for the sampling is explained in terms of the residual elements that may be present in an used container. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The reasons why soil samples may not be stored in metallic or wooden containers is explained in terms of the effects these can have on the accuracy of the analysis. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify the different types of organic material, their value to plants and the methods of application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various types of organic materials that provide nutrition to plants are listed and the particular uses of these are explained in terms of their methods of application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The benefits that the addition of compost and peat moss bring to the soil are described in terms of both the nutrient value and the improvements in body. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons why organics are considered as an important plant food are explained in terms of their balanced nutritional composition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The benefits of using mulches in landscapes are described in respect of their contributions to water retention and value to the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The various organic mulching materials are described in terms of their particular uses and effective lifespan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The benefits of utilizing liquid organic plant foods are described in terms of their immediate availability to plants and their value in foliar feeding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Examples of commonly used organic plant foods are identified in terms of their origins and nutritional value to plants. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify the different types of synthetic fertilisers, their value to plants and the methods of application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The difference between general and single nutrient fertilisers are explained in terms of the elements that they contain and their individual uses in providing nutrition to plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of granular fertilisers are described in terms of their physical structure and the methods of applying these are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The precautions that must be observed when applying granular fertilisers are described in respect of the hazards that these chemicals pose to humans and the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The benefits of slow release fertilisers are explained in terms of the reduced risk of "burning" and the extended nutrient release period. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The features of soluble fertilisers are described in terms of the low dosage rates that can be mixed and their usage in fertigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The benefits of using liquid fertilisers, as apposed to granular fertilisers are described in terms of the variety of "cocktails", their low dosage rates and the frequency at which they can be applied. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the Assessment Criteria for each Specific Outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Utilising knowledge of the necessity to water after applying fertilisers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Ensuring that the correct fertiliser has been obtained and the method of application suits the area to be fertilised. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Reporting on the condition of the fertiliser applicator and the necessity for its re-calibration. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Explaining the characteristics of slow release fertilisers and the benefits of using these in preference to normal fertilisers are explained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation:
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large:
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66589   National Certificate: Horticulture  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Joypat farming and Projects 
    2. Posh Accredited Training Pty Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.