PPSC 427
Disease And Pest Control Systems For Ornamental Plants
About This Syllabus
This is the main document which should answer most of your questions about this
class. Below is a list of the information provided within this page. The
words in blue are links which will connect you to other
information. We will discuss it during the first class session and you are
expected to review it on your own prior to the second class session. After the second class
session the instructor will not discuss it further in order to save class time. It is
your responsibility to understand.
Course Description
PPSc 427 is an advanced undergraduate course on pest control systems in ornamental plants, that concentrates primarily on insect, pathogen, and weed caused problems. Students are expected to have completed pathology and an entomology course and to be capable of performing the basic types of calculations required to utilize pesticides to control pests. Students are also expected to be familiar with the use of the World Wide Web and the library. The course utilizes problem based learning, which emphasizes the student's ability to methodically solve problems rather than the memorization of information. A large portion of the learning in the class will occur outside of class through library and web searches and private consultation with the instructor. Labs will be devoted to diagnosis of problems, application of pesticides and beneficial organisms using a variety of equipment, and monitoring and reporting on results. Due to the state of California's licensing requirements for Commercial Applicators and Pest Control Advisors, approximately 25% of the lecture time will be devoted to laws and regulations and safety briefings to be followed by a detailed test emulating that given by the state.
Required Texts:
Disease and Pest Control Systems Class Handbook
IPM for Floriculture & Nurseries, UC Publication #3402
Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides
Nursery and Landscape Weed Control Manual (2001 edition) by R. P. Rice
HOW THE COURSE WORKS
Unless otherwise announced, lectures will meet at the scheduled lecture room. This is the time to discuss problems which you are having in developing the information to complete the projects. At each lab, your group will be presented with the problem that they will be working on during the coming week. The following week at lecture your group will present orally the possible solutions to the problem including environmental, biological,l physical, cultural, and chemical controls, and an integrated control will be selected for application the following week. Between your presentation and the scheduled lab the following week, the group will perform appropriate calculations and be ready to apply the pesticide or release beneficials during lab. During the lab the members of the group will take-turns performing the various operations including:
A) mixing B) application C) application assistant D) clean-up E) record keeping
The types of problems we encounter will be determined by what problems are occurring at the EHS Educational Center. We will try to find as broad a range of problems as possible but there will, of necessity, be some repeats during the term. The group is responsible for monitoring the results of their applications and presenting them in an appropriate format (i.e., graphs) to the class along with a critique.
Policies:
Attendance at all labs is required.
The skills taught in lab require preparation and practice. You will be working in teams and it is not fair to your teammates if you miss lab. The only acceptable excuse for missing lab is illness and a doctor's excuse will be required. Otherwise you will receive a zero for the missed lab.
Assignments are not accepted late.
Horticulturists work in a world where deadlines are a routine fact of life. Pest problems must be dealt with in a timely manner to minimize their economic consequences. The same is true in the weekly class projects. You must be ready to perform the spray function at lab as there is not time during lab to research problems and perform calculations.
Teamwork:
During the first class session you will form teams of 4-5 people in the same lab. You will be graded for some projects in teams and others individually. At the end of the term each person will evaluate their teammates for the amount of work each did and this will be used to divide up team grades into individual grades. If a team member is not bearing their share of the work, the other team members can divorce him from the group by submitting a letter with reasons to me signed by all the other team members. "Divorced" team members will be required to complete all projects on their own without collaboration.
Calculation Skills:
It is not the function of this class to teach basic math skills, so if you are deficient in math skills it is your responsibility to bring yourself up to speed. During the first week we will go over basic problem types in class and lab. You will be given extensive practice problems. During the second week you will be given a test over these problems which you must pass with a 70%. Students who do not meet this requirement are advised to drop the class as they will not be able to earn a C or better grade.
Tests cannot be made up unless prior arrangements are made.
CLASS OBJECTIVES
The objective of this class is to familiarize the student with common pest problems found in ornamental situations, to assist the student in identifying the various options for alleviating the problems and to choose the most viable option. At the conclusion of the class the student must be able to diagnose pest problems, discuss methods of control, choose, justify and apply a control.
In order to accomplish the above, the student should be able to:
1. Discuss the concept and ramifications of Integrated Pest Management as it applies to Environmental Horticultural situations.
2. Discuss laws and regulations governing pesticide usage in California.
3. Discuss pesticide safety practices.
4. Discuss pesticide formulations and adjuvants.
5. Discuss chemistry, mode of action, uses, drawbacks, toxicity, and other pertinent information about the major insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, bactericides, and nematicides used in environmental horticulture.
6. Discuss the legal ramifications of pest control practices by the Environmental Horticultural Industry.
7. Safely mix and apply pesticides in greenhouse and field situations utilizing hydraulic, backpack, ULV, computerized, and electrostatic sprayers as well as proportioners and granular spreaders.
8. Utilize available reference materials including the Internet, journals, trade magazines, books, bulletins, labels, etc. in order to diagnose and recommend controls for pest problems.
9. Evaluate effectiveness of control measures.
GRADING
Since this is a 400-level course, effort above that required in lower level courses is expected. Grades mean the following:
A--Outstanding achievement; available for only the highest accomplishment
B--Praiseworthy performance; definitely above average
C--Average; satisfactory performance
D--Barely passing; below average performance
F--Failure: course objectives have not been met
Grades will be determined as follows:
I. Term project: effort: group 15% of grade
The term project will be developed collaboratively with other members of your group and submitted at the lab final. The term project is the development of a reference notebook to aid you in diagnosing and controlling pest problems. It will be submitted in typewritten format and will be graded on completeness, neatness, organization and evidence of effort. The project will be submitted in stages including: insects, disease and weed sections. As you develop this project you should keep in mind that this should form a useful reference for you after you graduate and that this will be the major reference which you will be permitted to use for completion of the lecture and laboratory finals.
Due: at final exam with portions due beginning the 4th week of class.
II. Weekly project effort: group 30% of grade
Diagnosis, recommendation, application, presentation and evaluation of results. Using the provided form present the project to the class and submit in writing as a group. Due each week at lecture prior to the projected activity. The instructor will evaluate it along with the oral presentation and return it prior to lab. You will re-submit one week after application with results. Includes oral presentation of results to the class.
III. Calculation Quiz: effort: solo 70%required, no grade
Since this covers remedial level work it will not be included as a part of your grade, however, you must pass this test with a 70% in order to obtain a C or better in the class. Students not meeting this requirement are advised to drop the class.
IV. Regulations Quiz effort: solo 15%
This will be a detailed test over laws and regulations and will be administered in multiple choice format.
V. Final Exam: effort: solo 40% of grade
The final exam will be a detailed exam covering diagnosis and control of various pest problems. You will be permitted to utilize your term project, the class handbook, and the Nursery & Landscape Weed Control Manual as references. The exam will also include a substantial practical component in which you will be expected to be able to perform the types of activities which we have been performing in lab. The exam will be given in two parts during the last lab session and the scheduled final exam period.
COPING WITH THE COURSE
Student evaluations at the end of each class consistently describe EHS427 as an intense and challenging experience. Alumni comments are consistently that they should have worked harder on disease, pest and weed control as they are constantly confronted with these types of problems on the job. Following are some suggestions to help you to succeed in the course:
1. Organize your teams and divide up the work fairly. Ensure that each member does his/her part. Set realistic deadlines. Elect a chairperson to organize and ensure that work is done.
2. Start immediately. Have a group organizational meeting within the first day or two of class. Schedule a regular meeting time and place outside of class.
3. Rotate jobs for weekly presentations so that everyone learns.
4. If you are deficient in math skills, work intensively the first week to overcome these deficiencies so you can move on to the meat of the course.
5. If you are deficient in library skills or computer skills take one of the orientation sessions offered by the library.
6. Don't Procrastinate.
7. The instructor is on your side and is there to facilitate the learning process. He will not however, do the work for you. The course is about you discovering the sources of information much as you will have to when you are on the job. See the instructor individually or arrange group meetings with him if you are having problems.
IMPORTANT DATES
Week 2-Calculation test. Reference notebook outline due, lab quiz on safety.
Week 4-Insect portion of notebook due.
Week 5-Disease portion of notebook due.
Week 6-Weed portion of notebook due.
Week 9-Laws and regulations exam.
Week 10- LAB FINAL in lab.
Exam week-Final exam ON LABS AND REGULATIONS-during scheduled exam period.
DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL SYSTEMS PROBLEM ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION SAMPLE OUTLINE
1. Describe the problem (symptoms, crop, distribution, causal agent, environment, etc.)
2. Research the biology of the causal agent (i.e., life cycle, environmental effects, specificity of host, reproduction, method of spread, etc.)
3. Research the host (i.e., environmental preference, susceptibility to causal agent, value, projected sales date, sensitivities, prior controls utilized on this host etc.)
4. Research environmental controls. Which might be feasible? Why or Why not?
5. Research other non-chemical controls. Feasibility?
6. Research reduced risk controls. Feasibility?
7. Research chemical controls? What chemicals are registered? What are the pros and cons of the each chemical? Costs?
8. Recommend an integrated program utilizing the chemical you have chosen to use.
9. What rate and formulation of the chemical do you recommend?
10. List all the precautions associated with the use of this chemical. Is a permit required?
11. Write a recommendation. Summarize the most relevant parts of the above and utilizing overheads for PowerPoint, present it to the class (7 minutes is allocated to each group).
OH 427 REFERENCE LIST
Weeds of California by Robbins, Bellue, Paul
The Gardener's Bug Book by Westcott
Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook by Westcott
Ball Pest Guide to Diseases of Greenhouse Ornamentals
Ball Pest and Disease Manual
Insects that Feed on Trees and Shrubs by Johnson and Lyon
Disease and Pests of Ornamental Plants by Pirone
In reference room:
Diseases of Trees and Shrubs by Sinclair, Lyon and Johnson
Agricultural Chemicals Book I Insecticides by Thomson
Agricultural Chemicals Book II Herbicides by Thomson
Agricultural Chemical Book III Miscellaneous Ag Chem by Thomson
Agricultural Chemical Book IV Fungicides by Thomson
In Government Documents:
Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs by Univ. of CA Call#:
AGX CA A2 P93359 Docs