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

Demonstrate a basic understanding of the physiological processes in plant growth and development 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116295  Demonstrate a basic understanding of the physiological processes in plant growth and development 
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 4  NQF Level 04  3 
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 
The learner will be able to identify the different physiological processes involved in growth and development of a plant.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in plant physiology and anatomy 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 show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 3: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the physiological functioning of the anatomical structures of the plant.
  • NQF 3: Incorporate basic concepts sustainable farming systems into practical farm activities. 
    		•

    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 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in cell division with relation to growth and development of the plant. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Cell division refers to the process of mitosis. Growth and development refers to the development of secondary vascular bundles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of mitosis is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Refers to the process of cell division.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Secondary growth in plants with reference to the development of secondary vascular tissue and growth of a plant is explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Secondary vascular tissue refers to secondary xylem and phloem development.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Cell division with reference to a) germination, b) pollination, and c) fertilization is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the process of transpiration and its role in water uptake by a plant. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Water uptake refers to but it is not limited to the process of osmosis and translocation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of osmosis and how it occurs is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Osmosis is illustrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The movement of water from the root to the leaves is explained and illustrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of the stomata with reference to transpiration is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of transpiration in relation to water use efficiency of the plant is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The concept of wilting is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the process of respiration in relation to gaseous exchange in the plant. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Gaseous exchange refers to but is not limited to osmosis and respiration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The transfer of gases between the plant and its external environment is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process of respiration and when it occurs in plants is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The process of respiration in relation to climacteric and non-climacteric fruit is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The influences of respiration on the ripening of fruit are discussed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the process of photosynthesis. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Photosynthesis refers to the process that occurs in green plants. Photosynthesis is the process by which complex molecules are produced from plant nutrients, water and gases through a physiological process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect environmental factors have on the process of photosynthesis is demonstrated and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The light phase of photosynthesis is discussed and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The dark phase of photosynthesis is discussed and described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the maturity and ripening of fruit. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Maturity and ripening refers to but is not limited to cell division, respiration, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of cell division and differentiation in fruit is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of ethylene in fruit maturity and ripening is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function of ethylene in the manipulation of fruit ripening and harvesting is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The storage of fruit is explained with reference to ethylene and atmospheric factors. 


    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:
  • Transpiration, respiration and photosynthesis.
  • Gaseous exchange, osmosis and translocation.
  • Cell division.
  • Laws of nature. 
    		•

    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 outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-Management: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use Science and Technology: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: Relates to all outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: Relates to all 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  49009   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    3. Cheeba Cannabis Academy 
    4. Heedmorine Training 
    5. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    6. Maishamalema Development Training 
    7. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    8. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    9. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    10. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    11. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    12. Mvelo Consultant 
    13. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    14. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    15. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Setlakala Business Development 
    17. SITHEMBILE TRAINING INSTITUTE 
    18. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    19. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    20. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    21. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    22. 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.