250056 Insects in Agricultural and Horticultural Crops

Details
Responsible DepartmentDepartment of Agriculture and Ecology

Earliest Possible YearBSc. 2 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseJoint BSc and MSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination


Written Exam in Lecturehall

All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Written 3-hours exam.

7-point scale, internal examiner

Dates of Exam:
06 April 2011
 
Requirement for Attending ExamSubmission of at least 75% of individual reports.
 
Organisation of Teaching2-3 hours lectures/week supplemented with exercises and colloquia. During parts of the course, the class will be divided according to agricultural and horticultural interests. Subjects for reports can also be chosen with focus on either of these areas.
 
Block PlacementBlock 3
Week Structure: C
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesØkologi, Dyrs og planters diversitet eller lignende
 
RestrictionsIngen
 
Course Content
Biology and ecology of major crop pests including, reasons for fluctuations and yield reducing attacks.
Different types of attacks, damages and crop loss functions, descriptions and assessments.
The influence on pests and natural enemies of weather, fertilization, irrigation etc.
Monitoring and forecasting systems, development and function.
Control methods and strategies, legal and advisory implications.
Attack prevention and manipulation of pest insects and their natural enemies through crop choice, crop structure, crop rotation and structure of farming system (organic, integrated and conventional).
The influence of plant protection on wild plants and animals of arable fields.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
Key elements will be presented in lectures which are supplemented with practical (eg. identification) and theoretical (eg. forecasting and planning of strategies) exercises. Colloquia will include particular problems in agriculture and horticultue treated on the basis of selected literature.
 
Learning Outcome
The main objective is to establish a general knowledge to crop pest insects and their interactions with crop plants and natural enemies, which can support sound pest management.
After the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- List and describe a selection of important insect pests and their plant/crop effects.
- Describe the principles and methods of monitoring insect pests of crops.
- Describe the main methods to prevent and control insect attacks.
Skills:
- Identify selected pest insects and beneficials based on morphological characters.
- Analyse and process monitoring results and work out and communicate a decision backgroound for growers.
- Communicate pest insect problems to fellow students.
Competences:
- Explain the major concepts of insect pest management.
- Explain and discuss crop and production system effects on pest insects and other insects.
- Explain and discuss crop-pest interactions and management possibilities.
- Discuss ethical aspects of insect management e.g. related to use of chemicals and genetically modified plants as well as the environment.
 
Course Literature
Under revision
 
Course Coordinator
Peter Esbjerg, pe@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Section of Zoology, Phone: 353-32686
Susanne Harding, suha@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Section of Zoology, Phone: 353-32675
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures27
theoretical exercises32
practicals24
Colloquia22
preparation98
examination3

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