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

Apply biological and chemical control of alien invader plants 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264274  Apply biological and chemical control of alien invader plants 
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 3  NQF Level 03  5 
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:
  • Apply the principles and practices of health and safety when handling hazardous chemical.
  • Identify at least 20 alien invader plants and similar indigenous plants to replace the aliens.
  • Utilise biological control of alien invader plants.
  • Identify the various types of herbicides that can be used on invader plants.
  • Make up the herbicide solution and apply this to the invader 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 at NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Utilise the necessary health and safety practices when conducting the chemical control of alien invader plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need to observe the relevant health and safety practices when working with hazardous control chemicals is explained in terms of the possible consequences that may result should these be ignored. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why the registration data of a herbicide must be known, is explained with regard to the specific function that the chemical is designed to perform and its residual efficacy period. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The necessity of being familiar with the active ingredient in the herbicide is explained within the context of ensuring that this information can be relayed to a doctor in case of an accidental poisoning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of determining the wind's direction and the reasons why an operator should work into the wind are explained in terms of the possibility of poisoning. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify at least 20 alien invader plants that are problematic in the region and examples of indigenous plants that may be used to replace the aliens. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    At least 20 alien invader plants found in the region are identified for the purpose of replacing them with environmentally compatible indigenous plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significant characteristics of these alien invader plants, are described in terms of those specific features that allow their rampant establishment in the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    At least 20 indigenous plants that have similar physical attributes to the identified alien plants, are selected to replace these invader plants. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct the biological control of alien invader plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The advantages of utilising biological control for combating pests are described within the context of establishing an ecological balance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of conducting thorough research prior to the introduction of biological control agents, is explained in terms of ensuring that only the targeted alien plants are affected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Examples of biological control agents that make a positive contribution to combating alien invader plants are described in terms of the specific pests that they control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The procedures for the introduction of biological control agents into the area where invader plants have become established are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The processes for the monitoring the effectiveness of the control agents, are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the various types of herbicides that may be used to control alien invader plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The processes by which contact herbicides can eradicate invader plants is explained with regard to the damage that these chemicals inflict on the plants foliage and stems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The processes by which systemic herbicides eradicate invader plants is explained in terms of their absorption by the plant and translocation to the various tissues that they destroy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The distinction between selective and broad spectrum herbicides, is explained in terms of the varying susceptibility that different plants have in absorbing and translocating the active ingredients of these agents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods by which hormone herbicides eradicate invader plants is explained in terms of their absorption by the plant and translocation to the various tissues that they destroy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of noting the residual period of herbicides before these are applied, is explained within the context of the time in which no further planting may occur in the immediate area around the treated zone. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Prepare the herbicide solution and apply this to the selected alien invaders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity of calculating the volume of the herbicide solution that is required, before any mixing takes place, is explained in terms of the wastage that may occur if too much solution is made and the possibility of environmental pollution, should the balance be thrown away. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods of mixing the solution to ensure that the correct concentration are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of completing the calibration calculations before the solution is applied, is explained with regards to the possible problems that may occur, if the incorrect application rate is used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods of calculating the calibration data are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The danger that "runoff" water from hard surfaces that have been treated with broad spectrum herbicides poses to the environment, is explained in terms of the damage that may be inflicted to neighbouring plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The safety precautions and operating procedures that must be followed when using a knapsack sprayer to apply the herbicide solution to the selected invaders, are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The advantages of "painting" the applicable systemic herbicide solution onto the stump or cut out wedge of a large invader plant or tree, are listed and the procedures to conduct these procedures are demonstrated in accordance with the company's procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The safety precautions and housekeeping practices for the cleaning, aeration and storage of the herbicide applicators and equipment are described in accordance with the company's procedures. 


    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:
  • Calculating the appropriate calibration for the application of herbicides. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing for the chemical control of alien invaders. 
    		•

    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:
  • Participating with others in the assessment of the biological control requirements . 
    		•

    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:
  • Understanding and applying the specific types of herbicide. 
    		•

    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  66649   National Certificate: Landscaping  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. TP Business Management (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.