Assist with the vegetative propagation of crops or plants

This standard covers assisting with the vegetative propagation of crops or plants. The
term 'assist with' is used to indicate that you will be working under supervision.
You will be working in accordance with instructions and specifications.
You will be involved in carrying out the propagation of crops or plants. This will involve
collecting and preparing propagation material, and establishing propagation material in
a growing environment.
If you are working with chemicals or machinery you need to be appropriately trained or
certificated in line with current legislation.
You must carry out your work in a way which will minimise any impact on the natural
environment.

P1 prepare, use and maintain tools, equipment and material for the work safely and
effectively
P2 correctly identify crops or plants from which material is to be collected
P3 handle plant material in a manner which minimises damage and wastage
P4 use methods for collecting the propagation material in accordance with
instructions
P5 ensure the collected propagation material meets the specifications of the
propagating programme
P6 store collected propagation material in accordance with instructions
P7 prepare and treat propagation material in accordance with instructions
P8 prepare the rooting medium in accordance with instructions
P9 handle plant material in a manner which minimises damage and wastage and
optimises growth
P10 position propagation material in the rooting medium in accordance with
instructions
P11 place propagation material in the appropriate growing environment in accordance
with instructions
P12 carry out all work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and company
policies
P13 deal with waste safely and correctly in accordance with instructions

K1 how to prepare, use and maintain tools, equipment and material in a safe and
effective condition
K2 the crops or plants which are produced within the enterprise
K3 recognition and naming of crops or plants from which propagation materials are
taken
K4 the ways in which plant material should be handled
K5 reasons for collecting propagation material and the requirements of the
propagating programme
K6 methods of storing the material prior to use
K7 the length of storage which is appropriate to the material
K8 the ways in which plant material should be handled
K9 reasons for preparing propagation material
K10 methods used for preparing cuttings and divisions
K11 why vegetative methods are used
K12 methods used in treating prepared propagation material
K13 the types of rooting media in use within the enterprise
K14 the ways in which plant material should be handled
K15 correct positioning of propagation material in rooting medium
K16 the types of growing environments in use
K17 the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity during propagation
K18 your responsibilities under current environmental and health and safety
legislation, codes of practice and company policies
K19 how to handle, transport and dispose of waste in accordance with legal and
organisational requirements

Specifications: drawings, schedules, method statements, Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs), manufacturers' guidelines, customer requirements.
Instructions: verbal or written.
Preparation of the propagation material will include making cuttings and divisions.
Activities to sustain plant development will include watering and the removal of
diseased material. The growing environment may be indoors or outdoors.
Equipment: cutting equipment, containers for storage and transport of material.
Activities: watering, removal of diseased or damaged material.