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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of nursery growing media and soils
Level / 2 / Credits / 5
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the properties of growing media; explain the characteristics of soil-less growing media; and explain the characteristics of soil as a growing medium.
Classification / Horticulture > Nursery Production
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
When handling soil-less growing medias use of PPE (personal protective equipment) such as gloves, goggles, and other body coverings are recommended to avoid Legionella, a pathogenic and species that can cause Legionellosis or Legionnaires’ disease.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Explain the properties of growing media.
Evidence requirements
1.1 The two main types of nursery growing media are defined.
Range soil-less container media, soil in the field.
1.2 The properties of growing media are recognised.
Range may include aeration, drainage, water retention, nutrient supply, pH level, anchorage and support, health status.
1.3 The uses of growing media are described.
Range plant propagation, container-grown plants, field-grown plants.
Outcome 2
Explain the characteristics of soil-less growing media.
Evidence requirements
2.1 Common soil-less media ingredients are described.
Range may include bark, pumice, sand, peat coir fibre, rockwool, hydroponics, nutrient film technique (NFT), organic mix.
2.2 Properties of soil-less media are explained in general terms.
Range physical, chemical, and biological.
2.3 Materials added to soil-less media to improve physical, chemical and biological properties are described.
Range may include fertilisers, lime, dolomite, wetting agents, water crystals, pest and/or disease controls.
2.4 Factors that limit soil-less media use are described.
Range may include rewetting difficulties, breakdown of organic ingredients, poor physical properties, cost of ingredients.
2.5 Examples of soil-less growing media are listed with examples of the types of plants suitable for growing in them.
Range three soil-less media examples, two plant examples for each medium.
2.6 Potential sources of growing medium contamination are identified at preparation, mixing, storage, and movement stages and how they are avoided or controlled is described.
Outcome 3
Explain the characteristics of soil as a growing medium.
Evidence requirements
3.1 Soils suitable for field grown nursery crops are identified in general terms.
3.2 Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties are explained in general terms.
3.3 Materials added to soil to improve physical chemical and biological properties are described.
Range may include fertilisers, lime, organic matter, pest and/or disease controls.
3.4 The preparation of soil for a nursery crop is described.
Range may include cultivation, liming, fertilisers, irrigation, drainage, bed forming.
3.5 Factors that limit soil use are described.
Range may include soil too wet or too dry, soil depth, soil temperature, poor soil structure, soil contamination, land purchase price.
3.6 Examples of soil types suitable for field grown nursery crops are listed, with examples of the types of plants suitable for growing in them.
Range three soil types, two plant examples for each soil.
Planned review date / 31 December 2017Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment /Registration / 1 / 23 February 2004 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 2 / 24 February 2006 / 31 December 2014
Review / 3 / 19 April 2012 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0032
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / Ó New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013