Introductory description

This module aims to teach students the importance and impact of plant pests, diseases and weeds on food production and provide them with a thorough understanding of their biology and ecology.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Causes of disease; types of plant pathogens  Biology and ecology of pests, pathogens and weeds  Plant pathogen infection processes  Introduction to molecular biology and application in plant pathology  Plant pathogen detection and discrimination  Plant population dynamics  Chemical control measures for pests, diseases and weeds  Biological control of pests, diseases and weeds  Monitoring and forecasting of pests and diseases  Plant genetics and resistance to pests and diseases  Resistance management  Components of integrated crop pest and disease management systems

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the impact of plant pests, diseases and weeds on food production and global food security
• Demonstrate understanding and have knowledge of the key concepts and mechanisms associated with the biology and ecology of plant pathogens, pests and weeds and how these relate to different control strategies.
• Have knowledge of and critically assess the range of advanced approaches for controlling pests, diseases and weeds.
• Develop and evaluate the components of integrated crop pest and disease management systems and how these interact with economics, legislation and and the environment.
• Demonstrate understanding, knowledge and practice independently the experimental techniques in plant pathology, entomology and weed science

Indicative reading list

Generic Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module can be found on

Subject specific skills

 To understand the impact of plant pests, diseases and weeds on food production.  To understand key concepts associated with the biology and ecology of plant pathogens, pests and weeds.  To assess a range of advanced approaches for controlling pests, diseases and weeds.  To develop and evaluate the components of integrated crop pest and disease management systems.  To analyse the conflicting and complex requirements of environmental and crop protection.

Transferable skills

Analysis and evaluation