Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, monitor and maintain biological control agents for weed control prior to release in an experimental or field situation. Biological agents must be maintained and stored in an effective way to optimise their potency on targeted weed species.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare and propagate bioagent media | 1.1 Identify, select, fit and use personal protective equipment according to health and safety in the workplace procedures 1.2 Identify, select and access bioagent media to suit the host and target 1.3 Prepare required media according to workplace procedures according to laboratory policies and procedures, and health and safety in the workplace, environmental sustainability and biosecurity protocols |
2. Obtain bioagent cultures | 2.1 Procure cultures from established sources and maintain microclimate in transport to the laboratory 2.2 Transfer cultures to growing environment according to laboratory policies and procedures and health and safety in the workplace, environmental sustainability and biosecurity protocols |
3. Maintain and monitor cultures | 3.1 Check cultures according to workplace procedures 3.2 Maintain optimum environmental conditions to maximise culture growth and condition according to laboratory policies and procedures and health and safety in the workplace, environmental sustainability and biosecurity protocols 3.3 Record observations and report abnormalities according to workplace procedures |
4. Harvest and store cultures | 4.1 Monitor culture growth to identify the need for harvest and agent release according to workplace procedures 4.2 Determine harvesting program according to program requirements 4.3 Complete harvest operations and transfer cultures to storage according to laboratory policies and procedures for health and safety in the workplace, environmental sustainability and biosecurity |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Accurately complete organisational records of observations using clear language and industry terminology |
Numeracy | Perform mathematical calculations for weights and measures in the preparation of media for cultures |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following explicit and implicit policies, procedures and protocols for laboratory and health and safety with bioagents |
Get the work done | Take responsibility for planning, sequencing and prioritising tasks and workload |
Sectors
Pest Management (PMG)