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

Schedule the application of water to plants and landscapes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263995  Schedule the application of water to plants and landscapes 
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 2  NQF Level 02  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 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Understand the factors that effect the loss of water in soils.
  • Adjust the quantity and frequency of watering to suit prevailing conditions.
  • Utilize knowledge of scheduling to operate a manual irrigation system. 
    		•

    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 NQF Level 1 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that influence the depletion of water in soils. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of evaporation is defined in terms of the loss of water from the soil according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The manner in which an increase in temperature results in an increase in the evaporation rate is explained in accordance with the vapour pressure of water. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of wind speed are described in terms of the increases that occur in the evaporation rate according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why the water loss of areas that receive full sun are greater than those in shade are explained in terms of their evaporation rates according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The benefits of mulching are explained in relation to the positive effects that mulching has on the soil's moisture retention according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The effects of various humidity levels are explained in respect of the influence that these have on the evaporation rate according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The concept of transpiration is defined and the role that this plays in the depletion of the soils moisture levels is explained according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The environmental factors that influence transpiration are described in accordance with the manner in which they affect the plant's water usage according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The concept of evapotranspiration is explained in terms of the combined water losses from the soil and the plants according to theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Recognise the effects that the seasons have on evapotranspiration rates and the adjustments that must be made to watering schedules to cope with these demands. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The climatic conditions of the various seasons are described in terms of the influence that they have on evapotranspiration rates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why the frequency of watering cycles is altered is explained in terms of the necessity to suit the changes in seasonal evapotranspiration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The adjustment of the durations of watering cycles is explained in respect of the need to suit the seasonal changes in evapotranspiration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why the application of water to deciduous trees and shrubs is reduced for the duration of their dormancy period is explained according to theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select the most appropriate climatic conditions and time of the day to schedule watering. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The effect that wind has on irrigation efficiency is explained in terms of the increase in volume required to cope with evaporation losses according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect that wind has on the uniformity of irrigation application is explained in terms of the extra operating time that is necessary to compensate for the uneven distribution according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect that air temperature has on evaporation is explained in respect of the irrigation that is required to compensate for the losses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The climatic conditions that are ideal for watering are described in terms of in which watering should be conducted are described according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The most suitable time of day to schedule watering is indicated and the reasons for this are explained according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The most unsuitable time of day to schedule watering is indicated and the reasons for this are explained according to theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Adjust the watering schedule to cope with prevailing climatic conditions and rainfall. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The influence that a heat wave has on the scheduling of watering is explained according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The scheduling adjustments that are made when cool weather prevails are described according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect that continual cloud cover has on the evapotranspiration rate and the adjustments to the watering schedule are described according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reading of the precipitation/rainfall in a rain gauge is demonstrated according to procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The occasions when a watering cycle may be skipped, are described according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The procedures for reducing the watering duration to compensate for rainfall that has been received is demonstrated according to procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Show an understanding of the importance of conducting frequent watering of seedlings and newly planted or transplanted plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The differences between the root depth and development of newly planted and established plants are described and the necessity to increase the application in newly planted areas is explained according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why frequent watering of seedlings and newly planted or transplanted plants is required, are explained according to theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The extra frequency of watering to allow for root loss or soil disturbance in transplanting is explained according to theory. 


    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:
  • Schedule the watering according to the prevailing climatic conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing to schedule an irrigation cycle by considering the season and the current climatic conditions. 
    		•

    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:
  • Tabulating the amount of rainfall received and communicating this to their superior. 
    		•

    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:
  • Explaining the relationship between temperature and evaporation.
  • Adjusting the amount of water given to dormant plants. 
    		•

    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  66589   National Certificate: Horticulture  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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 
    Core  73109   National Certificate: Landscape Irrigation  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.
     
    NONE 


    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.