Plant Protection

Semester 1 · 40197 · Bachelor in Agricultural, Food and Mountain Environmental Sciences · 6CP · DE

The course transmits basic knowledge and competences of plant protection. Students are first introduced to the history and basic concepts of plant protection.
Subsequently, the focus of the course is laid on different methods to protect plants from harmful organisms. In addition, mechanisms of action of plant protection products are covered, their toxicological properties are discussed, and the legal basis and requirements for their
approval are explained. Finally, technological aspects in the application of plant protection products are explained and future potential technologies are discussed.
After successful completion of the course, students will understand the importance of plant protection in crop production, have knowledge how to protect plants from pathogens and pests, and be able to select suitable control strategies to protect plants from harmful organisms.

Lecturers: Hannes Schuler, Sanja Baric

Teaching Hours: 36
Lab Hours: 24
Mandatory Attendance: no

Course Topics
Introduction and historical development of plant protection Basics of integrated pest management Basic concepts for the control of plant diseases and pests Epidemiology and prediction models Exclusion methods to reduce inoculum: quarantine and inspections; pathogen-free seeds and planting material; cultural techniques Physical plant protection measures Biological control of plant diseases and pests Biotechnological control of plant diseases and pests - Resistance breeding and use of resistant plant varieties Chemical plant protection measures: legal basis, toxicological evaluation and authorisation Classification of active ingredients and modes of action of fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and herbicidesApplication techniques of plant protection products Weed management New technologies and the future of plant protection

Propaedeutic courses
no

Teaching format
This is a lecture-lab course with PowerPoint presentations and interactive elements, such as discussions and descriptive case examples. In the practical part, selected contents covered in the lectures, will be examined in greater depth.

Educational objectives
Knowledge and Understanding The students will know and understand fundamental terms, concepts and strategies for the control of harmful organisms, as well as the legislative regulations for the use of plant protection measures. Making judgements The students will be able to recognise the importance of plant protection in agricultural production and will have the ability to critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various plant protection strategies. Communication skills Students will improve their communication skills during discussions in the lectures and exercises. Learning skills The students will learn to address topics of plant protection critically and where to find sources about the causes of diseases and pest damage, antagonists, maximum residue levels, approved active substances and plant protection methods.

Assessment
The assessment of both courses consists of two parts: Seminar presentation (30%) Final written exam (70%)

Evaluation criteria
To pass the exam, both course components (seminar presentation and written exam) must be assessed with a positive mark. Criteria for the evaluation of the seminar presentation: correctness of the contents, ability to summarise in own words, quality and clarity of presentation, and the ability to establish a context with other related topics. Criteria for the evaluation of the written exam: correctness and clarity of answers.

Required readings

Power Point presentations and additional teaching materials will be made available in the Microsoft-Teams group of the course.

Supplementary readings

Börner 2009. Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz, 8. Auflage. Springer, 690 pp, ISBN 978-3-540-49068-5

Hallmann J., von Tiedemann A. 2019. Phytomedizin: Grundwissen Bachelor, 2. u¨berarbeitete Auflage. Ulmer Verlag (UTB) Stuttgart, 374 pp,

ISBN 978-3825252618

Kogan M., Heinrichs E.A. 2019. Integrated Pest Management. Burleigh Dodds Science Pub LTD, 1004 pp, ISBN 978-1-78676-260-3

Poehling H.-M., Verreet J.-A. 2013. Lehrbuch der Phytomedizin, 4. Auflage. Eugen Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart, 600 pp, ISBN 978-3800151646

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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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