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

Monitor plant manipulation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116264  Monitor plant manipulation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 learner achieving this unit standard will be able to monitor and supervise the training (manipulation) of plants by applying a broad range of techniques. Learners achieving this unit standard will be able to apply their skills and capacity in a variety of production environments and be able to contribute towards to overall productivity of a production enterprise by maximizing growth and yield.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in plant manipulation procedures and will be able to operate in a plant production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in plant production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 2: Apply plant manipulation methods.
  • NQF 2: Utilise and perform minor repairs and maintenance tasks on implements, equipment and infrastructure.
  • NQF 3: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the physiological functioning of the anatomical structures of the plant. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor and supervise the use of appropriate tools and / or equipment for plant training and manipulation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Manipulation methods may include, but are not limited to, framework development, flower and fruit manipulation and pruning. Tools may include, but are not limited to, pruning shears, tie-back material, trellising and spraying equipment etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The correct tools to perform the specified and identified manipulation method on a specific crop are selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Incorrect methods used by another worker are identified and the correct procedure explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Monitor and supervise framework development principles as part of plant manipulation methods. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Trellising methods include, but are not limited to Central leader system, Tattura system, two wire system, slanted cap, factory-cap, Façade system, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Trellising principles for application of the trellising system and manipulation are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The development of the framework of the plant trellising system is monitored and guidance for correct procedures is given to the other worker. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The manipulation of growing points and bearing units is supervised and guidance provided where incorrect methods are used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The shaping of the plant, to determine the position of bearing units, is supervised and guidance is given when incorrect methods are used. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor and supervise flower and fruit manipulation principles. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Flower and fruit manipulation principles may include, but are not limited to, temperature, daylight length, bud dormancy breakers, thinning, shouldering, brushing, shorting, fruit enlargement, ripening, and chemical and physical quality improvement methods. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The appropriate fruit and flower manipulation actions and principles are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The correct and appropriate chemicals for spraying are selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The correct safety precautions and sanitary procedures are demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Monitor and supervise pruning principles as vegetative plant manipulation methods appropriate to the crop. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Pruning includes, but is not limited to summer and winter pruning, and canopy management, etc., as is appropriate for the identified crop. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The removal of unwanted growth from plant is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Vegetative manipulation and pruning principles are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vegetative manipulation may include but is not limited to, winter pruning, summer pruning, canopy management, and the trellising of shoots.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Correct procedures undertaken by another worker are adjusted and maintained, as required. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Tools for manipulation of plants.
  • Trellising methods.
  • Flower manipulation and fruit manipulation methods.
  • Pruning methods.
  • The principles of manipulation of a plant.
  • Names and functions of tools and materials.
  • Safe handling procedures of tools and material.
  • Maintaining hygienic procedures of tools and material as to prevent spreading of diseases.
  • Plant physiology and anatomy.
  • Supervision of workers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem Solving: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-Management: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use Science and Technology: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: Relates to all 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  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. Ankholani Agricultural Primary Cooperative Limited 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    5. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    6. Heedmorine Training 
    7. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    8. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    9. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    10. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    11. Maishamalema Development Training 
    12. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    13. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    14. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    15. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    16. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    17. Mvelo Consultant 
    18. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    19. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    20. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Setlakala Business Development 
    22. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    23. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    25. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    26. Tripple R Training Provider 
    27. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    28. Westco Agri Training 


    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.