794-117 Plant Protection I

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to extend the participant's ability to:

• systematically analyse a wide range of plant protection problems;

• identify and describe a wide range of plant pests, including diseases and weeds and their life cycles;

• distinguish between symptoms and signs associated with different plant diseases;

• identify stress factors affecting the health of plants and their susceptibility to a wide range of pests including plant pathogens;

• explain the concept of a noxious weed and identify a range of noxious weeds;

• describe the major classes of plant protection chemicals in terms of their use to control plant pests including diseases and weed problems;

• explain in general terms the principles of pest control.

The content includes: The classification of arthropod pests, insect orders and common pest species, important insecticide and acaricide classes, integrated pest control, common weed species, noxious weeds and weed growth as a consequence of environmental disturbance, control strategies for weeds, including physical chemical cultural and biological methods. Classification of plant pathogens, common infectious diseases of plants and their life cycles and integrated methods of disease control. Stress factors affecting plants and predisposition to pest and disease attack.

Assessment

Two formal examinations including arthropod, weed and disease identification tests. Theory examination (50%), pest identification (30%), plant protection record book (20%).