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CRP513Agricultural Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Plant Pest And Disease Management

This course introduces students to the principles of plant pest and disease management. It covers the definition, description, and concepts of pest and pest management, including methods of pest control. The course also delves into plant disease management, exploring various strategies for preventing and mitigating plant diseases. Students will gain an understanding of integrated pest management techniques and their application in crop protection.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Pest ManagementDisease ControlCrop ProtectionIntegrated Pest ManagementPlant Pathology

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Pest Identification

2

Pest Population Dynamics

3

Economic Injury Levels

4

Pest Control Methods

5

Plant Disease Etiology

6

Disease Management Strategies

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic Biology

General Agriculture

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Agronomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Crop Protection Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Plant Health Inspector

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Extension Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureHorticultureForestryEnvironmental ManagementResearch and Development

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Definition, Description, Concepts of Pest and Pest Management

4h

Unit 1: Introduction to Pest Management and Population Dynamics (Concepts)

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Introduction to Pest Management and Population Dynamics (Concepts)
  • •Define key terms: pest, economic pest, economic damage, economic threshold.
  • •Explain Economic Injury Level (EIL) and its formula.
  • •Differentiate between major, minor, potential, and sporadic pests.

Unit 2: Pest Damage

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Pest Damage
  • •Differentiate between direct and indirect damage with examples.
  • •Distinguish between incidence and severity of insect pest infestation.
  • •Describe the four frequency scales for population size assessment.
  • •Differentiate between injury and damage.
  • •Explain the concept of the damage assessment scale.
Week
2

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

3h

Unit 1: Introduction

1 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Introduction
  • •List the factors considered in choosing control measures.
  • •Classify control measures based on mode of action.
  • •List and discuss five methods of pest control.

Unit 2: Legislative methods

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Legislative methods
  • •Discuss the concept of quarantine/phytosanitation.
  • •Explain why pest detection is critical for effective phytosanitation.
  • •Discuss specialized tests used to detect insects, nematodes, and microbes.
  • •Explain the quarantine regulations that guide cross-boundary introductions.
Week
3

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

2h

Unit 3: Physical Methods

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: Physical Methods
  • •Explain the mechanical method of insect pest management, giving examples.
  • •Explain how temperature and gases can be used in insect pest control.
  • •Describe the use of electromagnetic energy as insect pest deterrents.
Week
4

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

3h

Unit 4: Cultural control

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Cultural control
  • •Explain cultural control measures: optimal growing conditions, photosynthetic efficiency, avoidance, time of sowing, deep sowing, time of harvesting, close season, deep ploughing, fallow, crop rotation, secondary hosts, weeds, trap crops, intercropping, and crop sanitation.
Week
5

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

3h

Unit 5: Biological control

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Biological control
  • •Discuss natural control, predators, pathogens, sterilization, genetic manipulation, potential uses for pheromones in pest control, and insect population monitoring.
Week
6

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

2h

Unit 6: Chemical methods

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 6: Chemical methods
  • •Discuss chemical insecticides based on their mode of action.
  • •Explain the post-application effects of synthetic insecticides.
Week
7

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

2h

Unit 7: Integrated pest management (IPM)

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 7: Integrated pest management (IPM)
  • •Discuss the components of deploying an effective integrated pest management program.
Week
8

Module 3: Plant Disease Management

3h

Unit 1: Introduction to Plant Diseases

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Introduction to Plant Diseases
  • •Define disease, symptoms, signs, causal agents, inoculum, and factors affecting disease occurrence.
  • •Discuss the effects of temperature, soil moisture, light intensity, oxygen supply, nutrient deficiencies, unfavorable soil pH, and pesticide toxicity on plant diseases.
  • •Explain the importance of plant disease diagnosis and the basic steps in reaching a diagnosis.
  • •Explain the Disease Triangle and Disease Pyramid in the establishment of a disease.
Week
9

Module 3: Plant Disease Management

3h

Unit 2: Disease Management

3 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Disease Management
  • •Explain the principles of disease management: exclusion, eradication, protection, and resistance.
  • •Define key terms related to plant diseases.
Week
10

Module 1: Definition, Description, Concepts of Pest and Pest Management

4h

Unit 1: Review of Module 1

4 study hours
  • •Review Module 1
  • •Revise all units in Module 1: Definition, Description, Concepts of Pest and Pest Management
Week
11

Module 2: Methods of Pest Control

4h

Unit 1: Review of Module 2

4 study hours
  • •Review Module 2
  • •Revise all units in Module 2: Methods of Pest Control
Week
12

Module 3: Plant Disease Management

4h

Unit 1: Review of Module 3

4 study hours
  • •Review Module 3
  • •Revise all units in Module 3: Plant Disease Management
Week
13

Final Revision

4h

Unit 1: Final Revision

4 study hours
  • •Complete all outstanding assignments and TMAs
  • •Prepare for final examinations

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed summaries of each pest and disease covered, focusing on their life cycle and control methods.

2

Develop flashcards for key terms such as 'economic threshold,' 'inoculum potential,' and 'systemic resistance.'

3

Practice identifying common pests and diseases from images and descriptions.

4

Review the different pest control methods (legislative, physical, cultural, biological, chemical) and their advantages/disadvantages.

5

Focus on understanding the Disease Triangle and Disease Pyramid and how they relate to disease management.

6

Work through past TMA questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question types.

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