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: 

Develop and implement plant manipulation methods 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116409  Develop and implement plant manipulation methods 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
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 assist with the development of a plant manipulation management plan and manage its implementation. 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 maximising growth and yield and maintaining high standards of practice.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in plant manipulation systems 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 4: Manage plant manipulation methods of an agricultural environment. 
    		•

    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 
    Maintain the efficiency use of appropriate tools / equipment for pre-determined manipulation method. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Manipulation methods include, but are not limited to framework development, flower and fruit manipulation and pruning, etc.

    Tools include, but are not limited to pruning shears, tie-back material, trellising and spraying equipment etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The efficiency and optimal use of tools and material appropriate to pre-determined manipulation method are maintained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The correct growth stage of the plant is ensured according to the pre-determined manipulation method under a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The care and maintenance of equipment used and being responsible for the output of others is coordinated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Incorporate framework development principles as part of plant manipulation methods if appropriate. 
    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 
    The growth and yield capacity of the plant by deciding on the trellising and manipulation system of the appropriate crop is optimised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The efficiency of the manipulation and trellising system appropriate to the crop according to a considerable range of procedures is maintained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The manipulation guidelines of the growing points and bearing units for the appropriate crop and cultivar are optimised and established. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The shaping of the plant by guidelines of the position of bearing units appropriate to the crop and cultivar is optimised. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse existing and optimise manipulation flower and fruit manipulation principles. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Flower and fruit manipulation principles include, but are not limited to, temperature, daylight length, Bud dormancy breakers, thinning, fruit enlargement, ripening, preparation quality improvement methods etc - Chemically and physically. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Fruit and flower manipulation principles by analysing other principles are optimised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The spraying program for chemically flower/fruit manipulation is optimised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The physical manipulation on the fruit and flowers is optimised. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical manipulation includes, but is not limited to thinning, shouldering, brushing, shortening, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The efficiency of the manipulation of fruit and flowers by incorporating the best methods and new technology is maintained. 

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

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The pruning as a vegetative plant manipulation method to remove unwanted growth from plant at different growing stages under a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts appropriate to the crop and cultivar is optimised and established. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The vegetative manipulation and pruning principles and actions by analysing other principles are optimised. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vegetative manipulation includes but is not limited to winter pruning, summer pruning, canopy management, trellising of shoots, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The efficiency of the vegetative manipulation program and actions by incorporating the best methods and new technology is maintained. 


    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. 
    		•

    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 specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all specific outcomes. 

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: Relates to 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  49010   National Diploma: Plant Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  63249   National Diploma: Agricultural Extension  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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. The Skills Development Hub (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.