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

Control weeds pests and plant diseases in an agricultural field using chemicals 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14374  Control weeds pests and plant diseases in an agricultural field using chemicals 
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 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
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 
The learner will be able to control weeds, pests and plant diseases chemically in an agricultural field using a knapsack sprayer.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of chemical control for weeds, pests and plant diseases.
  • Prepare sprayer and chemicals for chemical control procedures
  • Apply chemicals with a knapsack sprayer
  • Perform end of chemical control procedures

    Range: Crops may include but are not limited to sorghum, maize, groundnuts, sunflower, beans, soya beans, sugarcane, wheat, rye, barley, cotton and potatoes.

    Chemicals refer to herbicides, a poisonous substance that destroys weeds, pests and plant diseases. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Basic understanding of ratios.
    Read & respond to a range of text types ABET level 2 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of chemical control for weeds, pests and plant diseases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The effect of weed, pest and plant disease growth on the yield of crops and orchards is identified according to basic plant growth factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Plant growth factors may refer to carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, nutrients or food and warmth.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Factors affecting successful chemical control of weeds, pests and plant disease are identified to ensure best use of effort, cost and time. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weed control factors may refer to season, dampness of soil, soil type, size of weeds and weed growth periods: annual, biennial and perennial.
    Pests/insect control factors refer to season, dampness of soil, soil type and type and size of insects/pests.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The factors influencing effective chemical control are explained taking positive and negative impact into account. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effective chemical control includes cost, size or types of weeds, pests and plant diseases, application method, season, predators, hardiness, chemical resistance and reaction to chemicals.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Different kinds of weeds, pests and plant diseases are identified within scope of work. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range: Weed kinds may refer to broadleaf weeds, grasses and sedges. Pests/insects may refer to leaf -, boll -, root eaters, sap sucking and soil pests.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Methods of weed, disease and pest control are identified according to consumer and environment safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weed, disease and pest control may refer to ecological, biological, chemical and integrated control
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare sprayer and chemicals for chemical control 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Personal preparation is done according to workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The manual sprayer is checked and prepared according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Checking may refer to functioning and calibration of sprayer, pressure setting of nozzle, discharge rate of sprayer, discharge rate compared to another sprayer, leaks and harnesses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. A chemical mixture to control weeds, pests and plant diseases is prepared according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Chemical mixtures may refer to a water/chemical mixture.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Weed, pests and plant disease chemical threshold values are determined by the scouting technique. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Scouting technique refers to counting the actual pest or the phases of the pest life cycle per area.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply chemicals with a knapsack sprayer 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Chemicals controlling weed, pests and diseases growth are applied according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Application techniques refer to spot spraying, full cover spraying, partial spraying and pre-emergence or post-emergence spraying
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Spraying criteria are controlled according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spraying criteria may refer to walking speed, height of nozzle above ground, pressure and pumping rhythm
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Common problems associated with spraying of chemicals are solved within scope of work. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform end of chemical control procedures 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Sprayers and protective clothing are cleaned and stored according to workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Chemicals and waste from the cleaning process are handled and dispatched according to workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Chemicals are stored according to workplace procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Faulty or broken equipment and chemical containers are reported according to workplace procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner`s competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Examination of an assessment portfolio.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal (language) and/or writing skills.
  • Direct observation in simulated or actual work conditions.
  • Training providers must be accredited by the appropriate ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each specific outcome. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner will be able to identify and solve problems by identifying kinds of weeds, pests and diseases and chemical control measures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner will be able to organise and manage himself and his activities responsibly and effectively by planning and take controlling factors into account 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner will be able to collect, analyse and critically evaluate information 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner will be able to collect, analyse and critically evaluate information 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner will use science and technology effectively and critically when determine chemical threshold values for weed, pests and diseases control. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology
  • Workplace procedures refer to place of work procedures, prescribed procedures from the manufacturer of equipment, personal, equipment and environmental safety procedures, best practices and applicable legislation
  • Pre-emergence chemical/herbicides application means applying chemicals/ herbicides to the plant before the weed, pests or disease emerges.
  • "Over" and "under" spraying refers to too little application of chemicals/herbicides or too much application of chemicals/herbicides.

    Legal requirements:
    The following acts and/or codes, current and future regulations and amendments will be applicable.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993.
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No 57 of 1997. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  20287   National Certificate: Farming  Level 1  NQF Level 01  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. AGB Finance (Pty) Ltd 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bheliwe Contracting Services cc 
    4. DEW CRISP PTY LTD 
    5. Dzunde Farming Co-operative Limited 
    6. Goldfields FET College 
    7. Hot To Go Training College and Services 
    8. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    9. Knowledge For Ever 
    10. Maluti FET College - Central Office 
    11. Megro Learning 
    12. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    13. Phezukomkhono Training Services 
    14. Setlakala Business Development 
    15. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    16. The Renaissance National Skills Development Centre 
    17. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Uluntu Skills Development Centre 
    19. Zilungisele Business Enterprise cc 


    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.