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Integrated Pest Management

Course developers

Course abstract

The study course offers deeper knowledge on conventional, biological and integrated plant protection conceptions. Understanding on possibilities and results of usage of each system in connection with biological peculiarities of harmful organisms, as well with economical effectivity and sustainable agricultural production. Critical assessment of available forecasting and warning systems.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Scientific-level knowledge on various approaches in plant protection considering biology and ecology of each harmful organism and their interactions.

Skills to analyse scientific-level information in phytopathology, agricultural entomology and plant protection.

Competence to integrate results of scientific studies on plant protection in practical agriculture; to prepare analytical and practical publications and presentations in the field of plant protection.


Knowledge, skills and competences are evaluated in the exam containing four parts: paper, presentation, discussion and lecture (90 min.) for master's students.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Deeper studies using scientific literature on diseases of specific cultivated plants. Acquiring of newest information on variability of pathogens (distribution of new species/races in various regions), its connection with potential increase or decrease of harmfulness; studies on resistance of specific pathogens against fungicides; development cycles in various climatic and meteorological conditions; interactions between pathogens and other microorganisms.
2. Deeper studies of scientific literature on pests of specific cultivated plants.
3. Deeper studies on possibilities to control harmful organisms; forecasting and warning systems available in Latvia and other countries; critical analysis of economic thresholds; evaluation of various methods for controlling of harmful organisms.

4. Preparation of paper and presentation on application of various plant protection methods in fields/plantations of cultivated plants; critical comparison and analysis of them.

Requirements for awarding credit points

I part of the exam – paper. Situation on pests and diseases of specific cultivated plant is analysed; potential harmfulness of each pest and pathogen on yield and its quality is evaluated; necessity of control measures is assessed considering ecological and economical aspects. Comprehension about nature of plant protection methods, especially accenting their possibilities and restrictions, also possibilities and effectiveness of forecasting-warning systems. Conventional, biological and integrated pest control systems are compiled motivating necessity and effectiveness of each activity, considering biological properties, harmfulness, ecological and economical aspects of harmful organisms. Comparison of methods, assessing their possibilities and restrictions. Only scientific sources (mainly primary sources) must be used for preparation of the paper.

II part of the exam – presentation. Critical assessment and comparison of conventional, biological and integrated plant protection systems of specific cultivated plant. Duration of the presentation – 20...30 minutes.

III part of the exam – discussion. Discussion on biology and ecology of specific cultivated plant using science-based arguments; on peculiarities, advantages and imperfections of each plant protection system of the cultivated plant.


IV part of the exam – lection for master’s students. Individual lection (90 min.) for each PhD student in the field of his/hers PhD research.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent studies on harmful organisms and their controlling systems.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment is cumulative: paper makes 60%, presentation – 10%, discussion – 20% and lection – 10% of total assessment of the study course. Scientific level of the paper, ability to present and defend own opinion (basing on scientific arguments) will be assessed.

Compulsory reading

1. General Concepts in Integrated Pest and Disease Management, ed. by Ciancio, A., Mukerji, K.G. Springer Netherlands, 2007. P. 359.

2. Integrated Management of Diseases Caused by Fungi, Phytoplasma and Bacteria. Ed. by Ciancio, A., Mukerji, K.G. Springer Netherlands, 2008. P. 417.

Further reading

1. Cook R. James, Kenneth F. Baker The Nature and Practice of Biological Control of Plant pathogens. - The American Phytopathological Societey, 1996. - 539 pp.
2. Agrios G.N. (2005) Plant Pathology. Elsewier. Academic Press. 922 pp.
3. Madden L.V., Hughes G., Bosch F., (2007) The study of Plant Disease Epidemic. Elsewier. Academic Press. 421. pp.
4. The Pesticide Manulal. A World Compendium. (2006). Ed. by Tomlin C.D. British Crop Production Council. 1349 pp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Agronomy Research. [Tiešsaiste]. Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences. ISSN 1406-894X. [Skatīts 30.04.2020.]. Pieejams: https://agronomy.emu.ee/journal-information/
2. Arthropod-Plant Interactions. [Tiešsaiste]. An international journal devoted to studies on interactions of insects, mites, and other arthropods with plants. Electronic ISSN 1872-8847. [Skatīts 30.04.2020.]. Pieejams: https://www.springer.com/journal/11829
3. Crop protection. [Tiešsaiste]. The Official Journal of the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences. ISSN: 0261-2194. [Skatīts 30.04.2020.]. Pieejams: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/crop-protection
4. Journal of Applied Ecology. [Tiešsaiste]. British Ecological Society. Online ISSN: 1365-2664. [Skatīts 30.04.2020.]. Pieejams: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652664
5. Journal of Applied Entomology. [Tiešsaiste]. Blackwell Verlag GmbH. Online ISSN:1439-0418. [Skatīts 30.04.2020.]. Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14390418

6. Plant Pathology. [Tiešsaiste]. British Society for plant pathology. Online ISSN: 1365-3059. [Skatīts 27.05.2020.] Pieejams: https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13653059