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: 

Manage soil fertility and plant nutrition 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116267  Manage soil fertility and plant nutrition 
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  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
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 supervise application of soil nutrient preparations in a safe, effective and responsible manner for the benefit of plant/crop growth with consideration to the environment.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in soil and plant nutrition 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 demonstrate competence against unit standard
  • NQF 2: Understand Basic Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition.
  • NQF 3: Supervise the collection of agricultural data.
  • NQF 3: Understand the planning and scheduling of tasks in a production environment.
  • NQF 3: Interpret and maintain factors influencing agricultural enterprises and plan accordingly. 
    		•

    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 
    Prepare for soil nutrient applications using specialized equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Nutrient application refers to but is not limited to fertiliser or compost spreaders and planters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to use specialized equipment is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to calibrate specialized equipment is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to select the appropriate nutrients for application from storage facilities is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Supervise the collection of samples, storage and dispatch of samples to appropriate service provider. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Samples for leaf, soil and fruit analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to take and handle leaf, soil and fruit samples according to prescribed procedures are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process of recording and dispatching the samples to the appropriate service provider is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of soil and how these impact on plant nutrition and soil preparation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil properties may include chemical, physical and biological properties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The impact of soil properties on plant nutrition is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact of soil properties on soil preparation is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and interpret symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in different crops and make basic recommendations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Macronutrients may include (among others) Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium and Calcium. Micronutrients may include (among others) Boron, Zinc, Iron and Manganese.

    Simple recommendations on steps to correct nutrient deficiencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between plant abnormalities and deficiencies of specific macro- and micro- nutrients is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic recommendations for improving soil fertility are made. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Supervise and implement soil preparation and remediation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil preparation methods refer to mechanical and non-mechanical approaches, minimum tillage, no tillage, and both primary and secondary soil preparation. Remediation includes methods of dealing with acidity and Aluminium or Iron toxicity, water logging, compost making, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the special cultivation needs of various soils is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate implements and/or methods for soil preparation is selected. 


    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:
  • Sampling procedures.
  • Chemical, properties of soil - pH, Nutrient status.
  • Physical properties of soil - Texture, structure, soil profiles.
  • Biological properties of soil.
  • Soil ecology e.g. soil organisms, food webs, role of water and oxygen in soil.
  • Soil health and conservation.
  • Role of living organisms.
  • Conservation practices - Runoff control, contours.
  • Tillage operations - mechanical, non mechanical, organic, Minimum and zero Tillage and application of nutrients (liquid and solid).
  • Primary and secondary soil preparation methods.
  • Soil preparation and Fertilser application equipment.
  • Nutrients - Mixtures, limes, calcite and dolomite lime, single nutritients and compost, liquids, etc.
  • Calibration of equipment. 
    		•

    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  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. DHM Consulting Pty Ltd 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Heedmorine Training 
    8. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    9. Ithunga Development 
    10. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    11. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    12. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    13. Maishamalema Development Training 
    14. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    15. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    16. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    17. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    18. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    19. Mvas-4 Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    20. Mvelo Consultant 
    21. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    22. Outcore Legacy Pty Ltd 
    23. Peritum Agri Institute 
    24. Phezukomkhono Training Services 
    25. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    26. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    27. Setlakala Business Development 
    28. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    29. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    30. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    31. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    32. Tripple R Training Provider 
    33. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    34. 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.