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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the role and requirements of water in plants 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119714  Demonstrate an understanding of the role and requirements of water in 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 1  NQF Level 01 
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 
Understand the importance of water to plants, the seasonal and climatic factors and the way in which they influence the water requirements of plants. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Basic plant structure. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Describe the role that water plays in the growth and development of plants. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Structure of plants, nutrient intake, photosynthesis. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The influence that the amount of water received by a plant has on it's growth, is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The effect that the frequency of watering has on a plant's growth, is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The transporting of water and nutrients in a plant is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Identify the water requirements of the major plant types. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Succulents, trees, shrubs, ornamental plants, sun or shade preferences. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The factors that influence the water requirements of plants are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The water needs of the major plant types are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Show an understanding of the importance of watering seedlings and newly transplanted plants. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Root zone, root development, root loss through transplanting. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The importance of frequent watering to ensure that water is available in the root zone of newly planted seedlings and transplanted plants is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons why an additional frequency of watering must be conducted when root loss or disturbance in transplanting occurs, are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Recognise the factors that influence evapotranspiration. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Evaporation: wind, sun, humidity, transpiration, water usage and plant stress levels.
  • Evapotranspiration (E.T), combination of evaporation and transpiration. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effects of various climatic conditions on evaporation are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The conditions that effect transpiration in a plant are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The combined effects of evaporation and transpiration, in the calculation of the E.T are explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA, according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Internal assessment.
  • External assessment with the relevant registered/accredited industry body / ETQA.
  • An Assessor accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the Learner's competency.
  • Formative and summative assessment of qualifying Learners against this unit standard should be in alignment with the requirements of the NSB.
  • Practical assessment activities will be used that are appropriate to the contents in which the qualifying Learners are working.
  • Assessment will include self and peer assessment, practical and oral assessments, observations, questions and answers etc.
  • Direct observation is required in simulated or actual work conditions.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal and/or writing skills.
  • Assessment are to be structured to include formative and summative assessments, where the summative assessment will include the practical component, as well as the submission of a Portfolio of Evidence.
  • The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross field outcomes and embedded knowledge are assessed.
  • Specific outcomes must be assessed in their own right, through oral and practical evidence and cannot be assessed by observation only.
  • Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in their own right, through oral and practical evidence and cannot be assessed by observation only.
  • Specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other.
  • If qualifying Learners are able to explain the essential embedded knowledge, but are unable to perform the specific outcomes, then they should not be assessed as competent.
  • If qualifying Learners are able to perform specific outcomes, but are unable to explain the essential embedded knowledge, they should not be assessed as competent.
  • Evidence of the specified critical cross field outcomes should be found, both in performance and in essential embedded knowledge.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all Learners have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • This unit standard can be assessed together with any other relevant registered unit standard. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each specific outcome and must be assessed in its own right, through oral and written evidence.
  • Observation cannot be the only assessment. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities.
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

  • UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

    Refer to specific outcome 4:
  • "Recognise the factors that influence evapotranspiration." 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.
  • Specific outcome is embedded in the learning for this level of learner. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyze, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Refer to specific outcomes 2 and 4:
  • "Identify the water requirements of the major plant types."
  • "Recognise the factors that influence evapotranspiration." 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
  • Specific outcome is embedded in the learning for this level of learner. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Refer to specific outcome 3:
  • "Show an understanding of the importance of watering seedlings and newly transplanted plants." 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Refer to specific outcomes 2 and 3:
  • "Identify the water requirements of the major plant types."
  • "Show an understanding of the importance of watering seedlings and newly transplanted plants." 

  • UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors must:
  • Be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Hold an assessor certificate according to the current requirements.
  • Have experience or in depth knowledge of the horticultural industry, specifically as it relates to ornamental aspects. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    The Learner:
  • Is expected to perform the specific outcomes reflected in this unit standard without direct supervision.
  • Should have access to work site procedures.
  • Should demonstrate an application of ethics and values.
  • Must apply basic principles of general safety and customer care.
  • Should demonstrate an awareness of the expectations and obligations of basic employee/employer relations including industrial relations principles.

    At this level the communication / reporting of issues arising in the workplace, is embedded in the specific outcomes and the related assessment criteria.

    It is understood that, due to the nature of the work environment and the skills level of the Learner, that the aspects of teamwork form an integral part of the necessary specific outcomes and related assessment criteria.

    The points included under the notes, should be included when the qualifying Learners are being assessed. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49668   General Education and Training Certificate: Horticulture  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  66429   National Certificate: Landscape Irrigation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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. Amaloba Horticultural Services 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. College of Sustainable Agriculture 
    5. Green Futures 
    6. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    7. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    8. Kimbali Holdings 
    9. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    10. Maishamalema Development Training 
    11. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    12. Medu Skills Consultants 
    13. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    14. Nkangala Public FET College - Central Office 
    15. Nophelo Training Centre 
    16. Progressive Environmental Projects 
    17. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    18. Seza Bantu Rural Agricultural Projects 
    19. Voyano Project Management 
    20. Waterberg FET College - Central Office 



    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.