HR901-20 Advances in Crop Protection
Introductory description
This module teaches students the importance and impact of plant pests, diseases and weeds on food production and provides them with a thorough understanding of their biology and ecology.
Module aims
The aim of this module is for students to understand the the importance and impact of plant pests, diseases and weeds on food production and examine in detail their mechanisms, biology and ecology. The module also aims to critically analyse the range of control approaches available and how these may be combined in an integrated crop protection system. The adoption of different management approaches will also be examined in the context of environmental, legislative and other factors.
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.
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 and types of plant pathogens; biology and ecology of pests, pathogens and weeds, plant pathogen infection processes; 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
- Examine 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.
- Critically assess the range of advanced approaches for controlling pests, diseases and weeds
- Design and consider the different 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
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 31 sessions of 1 hour (16%) |
| Seminars | 2 sessions of 2 hours (2%) |
| Tutorials | 5 sessions of 2 hours (5%) |
| Private study | 105 hours (52%) |
| Assessment | 50 hours (25%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
Independent research and reading
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A6
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Report | 60% | 30 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Report based on workshop exercise |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| In-module test | 40% | 20 hours | No |
|
1 hour |
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Reassessment component |
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| Written report | No | ||
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Written report covering same learning outcomes as in-module test. |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback released through Tabula.
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
THRA-D4A3 Postgraduate Taught Food Security
- Year 1 of D4A3 Food Security
- Year 1 of D4A3 Food Security
- Year 1 of THRA-D4A2 Postgraduate Taught Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of THRA-D4A3 Postgraduate Taught Food Security
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of ULFA-C1A1 Undergraduate Biological Sciences (MBio)