A general ‘Welcome’ part before topic 0 will include information about the Moodle platform, the organizations, tutors and participants that are involved in the course and access to information through the University and CABI. Topic 0 will give a brief overview about Integrated Crop Management (ICM). Under ‘Basic Knowledge’, we will first focus on strategies and tools that are part of biological control of pests in agriculture and ecosystems, providing definitions, concepts and approaches in preventive biological control as well as classical biocontrol. You will learn to classify agents, ingredients and tools under biocontrol or ecosystem services (e.g. macrobials / microbials). Population dynamics will help to understand the impact of biocontrol and ecosystem interventions, and the negative impact of pesticides and other interventions on pest and natural enemy dynamics. We will then discuss drivers for the use of biological control such as consumer demands, maximum residue levels, product prices, legislation, negative effects of pesticide use, and many others.
Topic 1 will first focus on natural biological control and explaining some systems, where naturally occurring enemies maintain pests at a level lower than it would occur without them. In order to estimate the extent of natural control in the field, it is important to identify at least some key natural enemies and the course will provide some units about basic pest, disease and beneficials identification. Another training unit will focus on conservation biocontrol. It will introduce the basic principles and provide practical advice on how to enhance natural enemies, beneficial soil macrobials and microbials and discuss the negative impact of agronomic practices including use of pesticides in the agro-ecosystem. The co-benefits of conservation biocontrol will be analysed with special regard to pollination, but including other ecosystem services including clean water, soil health, tourism etc.
This Topic will focus on the role of the landscape on implementing nature-based solutions for the management of pests, diseases, weeds and on promoting crop production by increased pollination. First, we will explore how and to what extent landscape complexity, composition, as well as ecological quality affect green direct control measures and pollination on agricultural land. Students will improve their knowledge and skills with regard to the taxonomy and biology of key natural enemies and pollinators in different cropping systems. We will provide examples of how the surroundings of crop fields and whole landscapes can be designed to improve the supply of biological control, pollination and other ecosystem services. We will then discuss the economics of landscape management, emphasising that targeted conservation or restoration of ecological infrastructure can pay off within relatively short time. This will help trainees to think of ways, how the production of certain commodities in a particular biogeographic region can be improved by designing and implementing landscape management approaches.
The aim of this topic is to enable trainees to fully understand and make use of green direct control measures for the management of herbivorous arthropods, diseases, weeds and other plant health problems in agriculture. We will mainly focus on augmentation biological control approaches such as the use of macrobial biocontrol agents or microbial biopesticides. In addition, students will also improve their knowledge and skills with regard to other safe direct control methods, such as physical or semio-chemical methods or safe botanical-, biological-, or mineral – derived plant protection products. This will help trainees to improve their skills in sustainable and integrated pest management as part of an integrated crop management approach and/or their skills in organic farming. We will consider (a) the ecology of crops, their harmful organisms and their natural enemies, (b) local conditions, (c) environmental, economic and social aspects, and (c) the international, national and local standards, regulations and compliance criteria.
Topic 4 will deal with all important aspects of classical biocontrol. It starts with an introduction to the concept of classical biocontrol, a brief history and the question of why and when classical biocontrol could be a solution for pest control. Linked to this are general aspects of invasive species management and how it all fits with the concept of Integrated Pest Management. Students will understand all necessary steps in undertaking a classical biocontrol project, including target selection, agent selection, host range testing and generally the consideration of biosafety. In addition, relevant policies such as access and benefit sharing or the Nagoya protocol will be addressed and how all that needs to be considered when developing a petition for import and release. Finally, students will profit from various case studies that will be discussed within this topic.