Plant Protection Against Pests, Diseases and Weeds

No background knowledge is recommended.

To achieve the objectives of the Curricular Unit and the acquisition of the expected competencies, the teaching-learning process is based on:
a) Presentation and discussion of theoretical concepts, during classes both by the teacher and students;
b) In field classes held at ESAC’s farm where students come into contact with crop enemies and develop different techniques for risk estimation;
c) In laboratory classes with the development of methodologies for identification and quantification of enemies and auxiliaries detected in the risk estimation;
d) Conducting bibliographic research on topics related to the Course Unit and subsequent presentations by students.

e) In a PBL (Project Based Learning) project that integrates information in stages: 1) survey of practical problems; 2) tables describing crop enemies, crop phenology, risk assessment and economic attack levels, and integrated analysis of control methods; 3) Presentation of a panel that integrates the practical application of ER and NEA methodologies, integration of climatic and phenological data, and means of control.

The objectives to be achieved in this course are that the students acquire the knowledge that will enable them to develop the following skills: 1. know the crop protection measures against pests, diseases and weeds compatible with organic farming; 2. have the ability to make decisions about the most appropriate measures to solve problems in concrete situations and to apply them.

1. Principles and components of sustainable crop protection.

2. Methodologies for monitoring crop enemies and risk assessment.

3. Indirect control measures against crop enemies.

4. Direct control measures as an alternative to plant protection products

5. The sustainable use of plant protection products.

6. The use of authorized plant protection products in organic farming.

7. Legislation on plant protection products and their application.

Continuous Assessment

Component #1a (10%) + Component #2b (15%) + Component #3c (25%) + 2 Tests 50%=100%

Students will pass if they obtain a grade equal to or higher than 9.5/20.

a Component#1 (10%) Diagnosis.
b Component#2 (15%) (presentation and discussion + written support) - enemies of the crop, field notebooks (application of risk estimation methodologies) and means of control.
c Component#3 (25%) (presentation in the form of a panel and discussion + written support) - Integration of the information obtained from the risk assessment and comparison with the economic attack levels, means of protection, decision-making, taking into account phenological and meteorological data and data on the history of treatments on the plot.

Exam

Exam=100%

In each academic year, a student who does not pass the exam during the teaching period (i.e. in frequency) has access to a final exam in Normal and Appeal Period and, eventually, in Special Period, on dates defined in the Academic Calendar and in the Examination Calendar.
The exam will consist of a written test where all the contents of the curricular unit will be evaluated and the student will be approved if he obtains a classification equal or superior to 9,5 points.
If necessary, alternatives will be created for specific situations provided by law.

NAO