In this subject the range of organisms adversely affecting crop production, including insects, mites, fungi, viruses, bacteria and nematodes, is introduced. Historical and ecological aspects of the increasing problems with crop pests and diseases are introduced, with examples including cotton boll weevil in the southern United States, potato late blight in Ireland, coffee rust in southeast Asia, and Eucalypt Dieback in souther Australia. The diversity, classification, life-history and ecology of the main pest types are introduced as a basis for discussing their integrated management in agriculture, based on deployment of resistant cultivars, cultural and biological control measures and judicious use of pesticides. The principles and practice of Integrated Pest Management will be introduced. In the practical classes students study a range of insect pests and plant pathogens and visit a vegetable farm to observe pest and diseases and their management.

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Readings