AP3A102-Principles of Integrated Pest Management

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Robbie Girling
Email: r.girling@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn the core principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and how IPM is being used globally to increase the sustainability of agricultural production. Through lectures and laboratory practical sessions you will discover the major classes of pest organisms in crop and forestry systems and will learn integrated methods for their control. You will develop a framework to help you consider the factors that determine the impacts of pests, disease and weeds. By drawing on a range of case studies from around the world you will develop an understanding of how IPM can be incorporated in a whole system approach.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students wit

• A robust understanding of the key principles of integrated pest management


• A knowledge of the major classes of organisms that are considered pests in global cropping and forestry systems and an ability to recognise a limited range of plant disease signs, pests, weeds and beneficials


• An understanding of the processes of population ecology that influence pest population dynamics and therefore the impacts of those pests


• A knowledge of the key tools that can be employed as part of an IPM approach


• A range of case study examples of IPM in practice and, by making use of experimental data, the ability to evaluate the system wide interactions that influence management decisions within those systems.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Explain the key principles of integrated management, using examples from a range of case studies


• Recognise a limited range of plant disease signs, pests, weeds and beneficials


• Understand how parasitic organisms, weeds and beneficials transfer between host crops and multiply, both within crop and regionally


• Describe typical drivers of pest p opulation - dynamics, with examples of their effects


• Be familiar with a range of pest control practices , monitoring and decision support tools, and critically evaluate them as part of an IPM approach


• Recognise, explain and evaluate selected examples of system-wide integration of management tactics


• Analyse simple pest problems and suggest system changes which will improve the overall outcome, based on experimental evidence

Additional outcomes:

Appreciation of the complexity of natural and cultivated ecosystems and better system-scale thinking; improved library research, identification and problem-solving skills. More informed reading of commercial advertising material. Basic use of simple taxonomic keys to help identify pests and beneficials.

Outline content:

This module will: describe some of the basics of the biology of weeds, the most important herbivorous insect groups and a few of the taxonomic groups causing plant disease; demonstrate the importance of natural enemies; contrast case-histories representing successful and unsuccessful applications of biological control; introduce typical important patterns of population dynamics; show how a serious visible detriment to production is the outcome of the interaction of host, environment and patho gen, pest or weed; describe some contrasting examples to show how production systems may favour or disfavour particular organisms; discuss the action of pesticides within a cropping system and resistance evolution; decision making, precision approaches and the effect of outside constraints on use of pesticides or other agronomic variables.

The Lecture Content covers introductory biology of pest species, population dynamics applied to pathogens, weeds and pests, including the action of natural enemies; case-histories in biological control; examples of how interactions of host, environment and pathogen, pest or weed lead to different outcomes; effects and side-effects of pesticides within a cropping system; resistance evolution; precision approaches and decision support.

The Practical Content will cover: Examination and elementary diagnosis of example arthropods, nematodes, plant diseases caused by fungi, oomycetes, bacteria and viruses; estimation of effective dose of a herbicide.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures; problem-based seminars; field/lab-based practicals; external reading.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	20
Seminars		10
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Guided independent study:	60	70
Total hours by term			0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Practical skills assessment	20
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A two-hour exam including a choice of essay questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A practical skills assessment comprising of a spots test (20%)

An in-class 'by scenario-type' extended answer question (30%)

Formative assessment methods:

Classroom feedback during problem-solving and identification sessions

Feedback on summative tests

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By re-examination.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 June 2021