250048 Weed Science

Details
Department of Agriculture and Ecology
Earliest Possible YearBSc. 2 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelJoint BSc and MSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination


Written Exam in Lecturehall

All aids allowed

Description of Examination: 4 hours written exam

Weight: Written exam: 100%



7-point scale, internal examiner

Dates of Exam:
19 June 2009
 
Requirement For Attending ExamAcceptance of 75% of exercise reports
 
Organisation of Teaching30% lectures 30% practicals 30% projects 10% excursion
 
Block PlacementBlock 4
Week Structure: C
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesBotany, chemistry, plant physiology, statistics
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Contents
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.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
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.
 
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

 
Course Litterature
Streibig J.C. & Andreasen C. Weed Science compendium and labmanual
Supplemented by various articles
 
Course Coordinator
Jens Carl Streibig, jcs@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Crop Science, Phone: 35333457
Christian Andreasen, can@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Crop Science, Phone: 35333453
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures30
theoretical exercises30
practicals30
project work25
Excursions8
supervision10
examination4
preparation69

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