Determines of professional standard for practitioners of plant nutrition management in rubber tree

Abstract

This study aim to determine professional standard for practitioners of plant nutrition management in rubber tree. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for this study. Focus group discussions with 22 key informants who had knowledge and skills related to this professional group, were conducted to collect qualitative data. Content analysis were used to analyze components of the professional standard in accordance with the Functional Map’s concept. Structured questionnaire was used for collecting quantitative data with 407 samples representing the professional group of rubber farmers in 4 provinces in the west coast of the southern Thailand including Ranong, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket, in order to evaluate opinions on the components of professional standard. Frequency and standard deviation were used for quantitative data analysis. This study found that professional standard for practitioners of plant nutrition management in rubber composed of 7 units of competence, 18 elements of competence and 42 performance criteria. For the results of evaluated opinions related to the appropriateness of units of competence and elements of competence, the average value was 3.39 rated to the level of uncertainty, including: unit 1 analyze plant nutrients in soil and soil fertility, unit 4 design plan of fertilizer application in accordance with characteristics of plantation area and age of rubber tree and unit 6 preserve ecosystem and environment in the rubber plantation area. Four units were rated to the level of agreement, including: unit 2 have knowledge and understanding of soil characteristics and plant nutrients needed by rubber tree, unit 3 prepare plantation area before applying fertilizer, unit 5 store fertilizer and unit 7 positive professional attitude.