2023-2024 / VEGE0041-1

Pest biology and ecology

Introduction

Depth notions

Duration

Introduction : 34h Th, 6h Pr, 8h AUTR
Depth notions : 10h AUTR

Number of credits

 Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Introduction : Caroline De Clerck, Frédéric Francis, Eric Haubruge, Sébastien Massart, François Verheggen
Depth notions : Caroline De Clerck, Frédéric Francis, Eric Haubruge, Sébastien Massart, François Verheggen

Coordinator

Sébastien Massart

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The detailed information is available in the modules of this teaching unit

Introduction

This course focuses on the correct identification of pests and diseases (weeds, insects, abiotic diseases or diseases caused by phytopathogens) and the relevant analysis of their biology: interactions with their hosts and the environment (climatic and biotic factors such as chemical messages, host-disease or plant-pest-auxiliary insect interactions, etc.), biological cycles, the development of epidemics.
It presents the elements allowing to make the link between the biological cycles of pests and their epidemiology, by insisting on the natural or anthropogenic elements which will influence the development of epidemics / infestations and therefore the damage caused to crops and animals. and to man. The principle of prediction and warning models for risk assessment and pest management is discussed.
The approach to be adopted with a view to the diagnosis (techniques of field observation, sampling, laboratory analysis) is studied and illustrated by case studies, field trips and practical work.

Depth notions

Information available with  VEGE0041-A-a
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Introduction

At the end of this module, the student will have demonstrated his ability to use in practical activities and to return during the final examination:

* Knowledge of biology and/or ability to identify major groups of bio-aggressors (pests, vectors, diseases and weeds) and the nature of plant/pest/ beneficial insects / environmental interactions
* His knowledge of the different stages of the epidemiological cycle
* His knowledge of the conditions favoring the development of bio-aggressors * His understanding of the notions of damage threshold and economic threshold of intervention
* His understanding of prediction and warning models
* Understanding of the intervention approach and considerations for choosing a method or combination of intervention methods
In particular, he must be able to:
* Identify the main categories of pests, pathogens and weeds
* Explain how to make a diagnosis using the main techniques
* To analyze the course of an epidemic, to identify the sensitive stages of the host and the key stages of intervention



 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Introduction

* Bases in Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Plant Physiology and Entomology
* English language

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Introduction

* Theoretical lectures (ex-cathedra or online course)

* Field observation of pests, weeds, pathogens

* Practical laboratory work: identification of various pests :
o Inoculation of phytopathogenic agents and observation of symptoms
o Microscopic observation to identify phytopathogenic agents
o Use of insect and pest identification keys and weeds
o Observation and identification in the field (2h)

* Personal work to be done:
o Constitution of a virtual herbarium of diseased plants
o Search for information and documentation (interview of a farmer, search on the internet and other sources)

* Group work including an oral presentation based on a poster (in English): application of the theoretical elements presented to case studies (data integration, synthesis)

* On field analysis of flora on quadrats

 

 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Introduction

Blended learning


Additional information:

Blended learning


Additional information:

Presence in auditorium, in practical work rooms and in field

 

 

 

 

Recommended or required readings

Introduction

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

Evaluation of the herbarium (5%, mandatory)
Weed identification (5%, mandatory)
Evaluation of the teamwork (20%, mandatory)

Oral examination based on the written response to questions (70% of the note,  one question per bioagressor: pest, pathogen and weed). The final note of the oral examination is deliberated by the professors.


 

 

 

 

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Introduction

Professors Caroline De Clerck, Frédéric FRANCIS and Sébastien Massart
 

Association of one or more MOOCs