NPLK14006U Pesticide Use, Mode of Action and Ecotoxicology
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Environmental Science
The rationale behind the development of pesticides, their use, physical and chemical properties and their regulation is the frame of references of the course. The importance of mode of action and site(s) of action of pesticides will be stressed and linked to chemical properties, uptake, translocation and metabolism in target and non-target organisms. The principles of assessing pesticide selectivity will be an integral part of the course as is the research and development of pesticides in Industry and public institutions. We deal with formulations of pesticides and use of adjuvants to enhance efficacy, either by the manufacture or by the end user. Various reference models to assess joint action of pesticide mixtures are taught and the implication to their use is validated and side effects are described. We focus on aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology in relation to pesticide loads, intentional and not intentional discharge in the environment and also the ecotoxicological effects of pesticides on population and communities. Risk assessment of the pesticide use is evaluated in relation to ecotoxicology, and the national and international registration systems. An excursion to Cheminova (http://www.cheminova.dk), the only Danish pesticide producing factory and the private field and laboratory testing company Agrolab (http://www.agrolab.dk/) is an integral part of the course
The students should know about the scientific principles of
chemical, physical and biological properties of pesticides, their
use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and public land and
their ecotoxicological side effects. The curriculum encompasses the
advantages and disadvantages of pesticide use, the knowledge of
which is instrumental for those who wish to work with pesticide
development, their management and use in industry, agriculture,
horticulture, forestry and on public domains, their legislation and
registration.
Knowledge:
- Describe chemical and physical properties of pesticides and know
the site and mode of action of exemplary pesticides representing
the most used pesticide groups
- Know the principles of pesticide use in crops and for
non-agricultural purposes (pest and vector control) including their
effects on both target and non-target organisms
- Summarise the rationale behind pesticide development and
registration
- Classify pesticides and reflect about their impact in relation to
use, load and ecotoxicology
Skills
- Statistical analysis and biological interpretation of
dose-response data from bioassay with various organisms and
endpoints
- Analyse and interpret data from mixtures toxicity experiments
- Assess efficacy/toxicity of herbicides and recognise
characteristic symptoms in the field and greenhouse.
- Evaluate toxicity data en a regulatory context
- Apply quantitative methods to assess pesticide load, drift and
fate in organisms and environment.
Competences
- Evaluate pesticide applications to target and non-target
organisms in the terrestrial and aquatic environments
- Put various theories and principles of pesticide action into
perspective and make sound judgment of impact of pesticides on
different environments
- Discuss pesticide use from a scientific stand in view of its
controversial issue in the public
- Put into perspective the effect of manipulating agro-ecosystems
on sustainability in relation to food production
The exact editions will be written on Absalon.
Stephenson G.R. and Solomon K.R, Pesticides and the Environment,
CNTC Canadian Network of Toxicology Centres.
Handouts
Cedergreen, N. 2017, Manual for laboratory and theoretical
exercices
- Category
- Hours
- Colloquia
- 5
- Exam
- 1
- Excursions
- 10
- Lectures
- 20
- Practical exercises
- 40
- Preparation
- 100
- Project work
- 10
- Theory exercises
- 20
- Total
- 206
As
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 20 minOral examination in reports and curriculum, 20 min. preparation
- Exam registration requirements
Submission of all exercise reports
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal censor
- Re-exam
If the requirement is not met, the student has to follow the course the following year as the laboratory exercises need to be followed.
Criteria for exam assesment
See description of learning outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NPLK14006U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- A
- Course capacity
- 30 persons due to lab. constraints
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Course responsibles
- Nina Cedergreen (3-7e737650807c757e3e7b853e747b)