LPLF10372U Weed Biology and Management

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Erasmus Mundus - Agris Mundus
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content
The frame of references of the course is identification, biology, ecology, competitive ability,effects and management of weeds. This applies to weeds of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, as well as invasive species and environmental weeds on public land and “natural” plant communities. The emphasis is placed upon the quantification of the harmful effects of weeds in relation to their biology and ecology, and how the weed floras, by ways of mere evolution and adaptation, infest areas and sustain control measures. Tillage,
crop rotation and physical, biological and chemical control measures are integral parts of the course, as is the quantification of the efficacy of the control measures and their advantages and disadvantages as well as their
impact on weed populations and plant communities inside and outside the arable land. Legislation and impact of various domestic and foreign action plans on pesticides, nitrogen and EU-Water Framework Directive will
also be part of the curriculum. There is one excursion in first week of June to Hardi International, a manufacturer of sprayers.
Learning Outcome
After completing the course the students should be able to:
Knowledge:
- describe origin, biology, ecology and distribution of weeds on arable and public land.
- show overview of common weed control measures such as cultural, physical, biological and chemical
- describe the legislation concerning weeds and invasive species
- summarise environmental impacts of weed control methods
Skills
- demonstrate ability to identify weeds at seedling stage
- explain interaction between the crop/natural vegetation and the weeds
- analyse harmful effects of weed/crop competition in relation to agronomy and phenological development of plants
- quantify weed-crop competition, thresholds and herbicide selectivity
- communicate weed management issues as an integral part of crop production and protection to non-specialists
Competences
- discuss proper decision making in judicious weed management on the theoretical as well as the practical level
- evaluate novel approaches in the field of weed management and crop protection at large
- discuss the agricultural and environmental issues of using various weed management methods be it physical or chemical.
- put into perspective the effect of manipulating agro-ecosystems in relation to food production and sustainability
Literature
Streibig J.C. & Andreasen C. Weed Science compendium and labmanual
Supplemented by various articles
Cobb, AH & REade JPH (2010) Herbicides and Plant Physiology, 2nd edition, ISBN 978-1-4051-2935-0 ISBN 978-1-4443-2780-9 (E-book)
Basic courses in chemistry, statistics, basic plant biology or equivalent
Lectures will outline the theoretical background for the course and support the practical and theoretical exercises. Practical exercises will be in the area of: weed identification, survey method to assess weed infestations in crops and elsewhere, greenhouses experiments with mixtures of crop and weeds, and ways of assessing their competitive effects Mechanical weed control in field selectivity of soil and aerial applied herbicides. The students do proper statistical analysis of the practical exercises involving own data. The
theoretical exercises will deal with physical weed management, the distinction between longevity and life-forms of weeds, weed management intensity and the environmental impact of weed management measures. An excursion to Hardi International (http:/​/​www.hardi-international.com/​) is and integral part of the course
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Excursions
  • 9
  • Guidance
  • 10
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Practical exercises
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 69
  • Project work
  • 24
  • Theory exercises
  • 30
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25
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Exam registration requirements
Acceptance of 75% of experimental/exercise reports
Aid
Only certain aids allowed
Identification of weed seedlings at their 2-4 true leaves development stage
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Én intern censor
Criteria for exam assesment
Correct identification of four weed seedlings, being able to answer the examination question (selected at random within the curriculum), and summarise the findings on one or more  of the experimental/exercise  projects, which will be put before the students during the examination