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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: 

Understand basic soil fertility and plant nutrition 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116053  Understand basic 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 2  NQF Level 02  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 apply basic 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 nutrient and preparation 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 standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 1: Fertilise soil and attend to basic plant nutrition.
    < NQF 1: Collect agricultural data.
  • NQF 2: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and functions of a plant. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    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 
    Accurately prepare and measure the appropriate quantity and quality of required soil nutrient preparations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil nutrient preparations refer to either agro-chemical or organic production methods. These can include preparation of compost and liquid nutrients, management of lime, single or mixed fertilizers, or other substances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to identify the appropriate nutrients for a specific context is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to prepare and collect the correct amount of the appropriate nutrients from the storage area of an agricultural production environment is demonstrated (in the case of conventional systems, this would involve selecting the appropriate fertiliser; for organic systems it would involve storing manure optimally and making compost with due understanding of the processes outlined in the NQF 1 unit standard). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to measure the required amount of soil nutrient accurately is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Take an appropriate sample for nutrient analysis. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    A sample refers, but is not limited to leaf, soil and fruit analysis samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An appropriate sample is taken according to prescribed procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The sample is labelled according to required procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The sample is prepared and packaged according to specified procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Understand the properties of soil and soil composition. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Soil properties refer to the texture and structure, water holding and drainage capacity, and soil composition in terms of silt/clay/gravel ratios. Soil composition refers to the basic mineral content of soil. These should be related to the basic interaction between soil composition and productivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Soil structure and texture are identified using elementary tests and observations, and based on this information the learner is able to express an opinion on its condition and remediation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The composition of soil based on elementary tests and observations is identified and, based on these results, an opinion regarding the condition of the soil and its fertility requirements is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The role of minerals in soil health and how this relates to plant production is described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and interpret the basic symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in crops. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Different crops may include (among others) field crops and horticultural crops. Macro elements may include (among others) Nitrogen, Phosphorous Potassium and Calcium. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The colour change on plant leaves, and/or fruit/ plant abnormalities, is interpreted and related to the specific macro-element deficiencies compared with healthy plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Steps are taken (or explain the steps needed) to rectify basic deficiencies. 


    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:
  • Fertilisers, mixtures, single, etc. if appropriate.
  • Nutrient sources such as organic, compost, etc.
  • Soil conservation.
  • Soil preparation and improvement.
  • Basic ecological principles.
  • Sampling (soil, leaf, and fruit).
  • Basic soil properties. 
    		•

    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  48977   National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  48975   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  50227   National Certificate: Rooibos Production  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. Aluberry Investments Pty Ltd 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Call D5 Trading and Projects Pty Ltd 
    5. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Escay Catering and other Services 
    8. Goldfields FET College 
    9. Heedmorine Training 
    10. HL Hall and Sons Pty Ltd 
    11. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    12. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    13. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    14. Kimbali Holdings 
    15. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    16. Knowledge For Ever 
    17. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    18. Lesedi Community Services 
    19. Liliso Training Centre 
    20. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    21. Maishamalema Development Training 
    22. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    23. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    24. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    25. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    26. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    27. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    28. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    29. Mpontshe Training 
    30. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    31. Mulivhuwa Holdings 
    32. Mvelo Consultant 
    33. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    34. Netimm Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    35. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    36. Nophelo Training Centre 
    37. Novi General Services 
    38. Phezukomkhono Training Services 
    39. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    40. Phophi Na Tshikaho Trading Enterprise 
    41. Posh Accredited Training Pty Ltd 
    42. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    43. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    44. Setlakala Business Development 
    45. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    46. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    47. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    48. Take Note Trading 227 cc 
    49. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    50. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    51. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    52. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    53. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    54. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    55. Tripple R Training Provider 
    56. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    57. 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.