Weed control and crop protection (3cr)

Objective

Students will know how to identify and categorise the more common weeds at the seedling stage and be familiar with the more common plant diseases and pests. Students will also be familiar with various procedures and techniques for killing weeds. They will be competent in planning the control of weeds while considering the economical and environmental aspects involved in killing weeds. Students will be familiar with the how herbicides work and with the impacts they have on the environment and health.

Content

- Properties and categorisation of weeds
- Non-chemical methods of killing weeds
- Herbicides, how they work and how to use them
- Killing problem weeds
- Growth regulators
- Plan for killing weeds that inhibit the growth of various field crops on an actual farm
- Techniques for plant protection
- Impacts of herbicides on the environment and health
- Identifying the more common diseases and plants pests

Materials

Ajankohtaisia kasvinsuojeluohjeita 2012. Kasvinsuojeluseura
Erkamo 2001. Rikkakasviopas. Kasvinsuojeluseura
Hannukkala ym. 1999. Luomupellon kasvinsuojelu. Tieto tuottamaan 84. ProAgria
Torjunta-aineoppaat
Håkansson, S.2003. Weeds and weed management on arable land. An ecologial approach

Teaching methods

Lectures (45 %), approved assignment (25 %), approved exam (35 %).

Student workload

Totally 80 h, lectures 35 h, autonomous studies 45 h.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Grade 1. The student classifies weeds into different groups and identifies the most general plant diseases and pests. The student names different weed control methods (non-chemical, chemical) and explains the techniques which are used in them. The student draws up a weed control plan and lists alternative control methods. The student lists the ways how herbicides influence and he/she defines the environmental and health effects of pesticides.

Grade 3. The student classifies the weeds into groups on the basis of the properties and identifies the most general plant diseases and pests. The student explains how the weeds are controlled and what kind of technique is used. The student draws up a weed control plan for a farm, explains different alternatives and comments on them. The student explains the ways how herbicides influence and he/she also describes factors which affect them. The student explains how the pesticides affect the environment and health.

Grade 5. The student classifies the weeds into the groups comparing the properties of different groups and identifies the most general plant diseases and pests. The student analyses and compares the weed control methods and the techniques which are used in them. The student designs the weed control plan for a farm, compares different alternatives and justifies the development proposals. The student compares the ways how herbicides influence and he/she also analyses factors which affect them. The student estimates the environmental and health effects of pesticides.

Qualifications

No previous studies are required.