Postgraduate Course: Fundamentals of Plant Health (PGGE11203)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The proposed course will provide an understanding of the biotic and abiotic causes of poor plants health together with knowledge of the practices and approaches used to enhance the health and wellbeing of plants in a range of managed ecosystems. The course will include a series of lectures and associated lab classes providing a foundation in plant health interactions within the context of managed ecosystems and selective change.
Students will explore the diversity of organisms with which plants interact and their impact ¿ positive and negative ¿ on plant health. Strategies for enhancing plant health will be covered, including plant breeding, pest, weed and disease management and the maintenance of a healthy environment within the context of the ecology of plant health interactions.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Have an understanding the diversity of plant biotic interactions and their consequence for the health status of plants,
2. Be able to recognise key features of the environment which contribute to, or detract from ,good plant health
3. Recognise key biotic agents causing plant health problems
4. Be able to evaluate approaches to plant health management in relation to a dynamic ecosystem |
Assessment Information
Coursework assessment consisting of a critique of the main biotic and abiotic factors impacting on the health of a selected plant group or crop type with details of the nature of the interactions, means of recognition or diagnosis, and an evaluation of the causes and management or remediation of any damage to the health of the plant(s) (50% of total class mark), and an exam (50% of total class mark).
The coursework topic to be selected by the student and approved by the teaching staff.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
The course provides knowledge and skills for the understanding of plant health interactions, recognition of factors and organisms important in plant health, and sustainable approaches to the management of plant health. |
| Syllabus |
Exact timetabling is subject to change based on the availability of teaching staff but we will make every effort to keep linked sessions together.
Week 1: Introduction to biotic and abiotic factors in plant health. pests, weeds pathogens disorders, symbioses, and the physical environment. Ecology of plant health.
Week 2: When and why do pathogens, pests or weeds become problematic?
Week 3: Key plant health problems ¿ origins and biology.
Week 4: Epidemiology ¿ transmission and spread of plant health problems: concepts and methods.
Week 5: Plant health management strategies, costs and benefits.
Week 6: Genetic control.
Week 7: Cultural control approaches.
Week 8: Direct and indirect plant health management ¿ chemical and biological approaches.
Week 9: Integration of management practices ¿ ecosystem management.
Week 10: Planning for change in an unpredictable world.
Week 11: Revision and exam technique.
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| Transferable skills |
Students will acquire and develop the following transferable skills:
Knowledge-based ¿ to develop a knowledge and understanding of plant biotic and abiotic interactions and their impact on plant health.
Integrative ¿ using an understanding of the ecological and management drivers to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of plant health management strategies.
Critical ¿ evaluation of the strengths or weaknesses of particular approaches to plant health management
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| Reading list |
To be confirmed. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
4h per week for one semester (see syllabus) |
| Keywords | Pests, pathogens, weeds, plant disease control, crop protection |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr James Fountaine
Tel:
Email: james.fountaine@sac.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Elspeth Martin
Tel: 0131 535 4198
Email: Elspeth.Martin@sruc.ac.uk |
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