Learn with this practical course to identify and control pest and diseases in plants. Develop a deep understanding of plant health, the systematic identification of health problems in plants and the techniques for control of those problems. Learn how to maintain high quality gardens for business or home. There is always more than meets the eye and problems can be solved easily with this course.

"If you want to know more about providing optimum care for plants, I suggest this course as a good foundation for learning to deal with any pest or disease problem."- Tracey Morris Dip.Hort., Cert.Hort., Cert III Organic Farming, Tutor.

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction- Methods to identify problems on plants from pest and disease damage.
2. Overview of Preventative Controls-Methods for control of the problems found, both with chemical and non chemical methods.
3. Insecticides- Various types of insecticides are discussed
4. Other Pesticides- Other types pesticides are looked at
5. Spray Equipment- The various methods for using the chemicals and the safe application of them.
6. Insect Biology- We have a look at a few of the insects you will come across.
7. Fungal Biology-The various problems caused by fungi and bacteria, descriptions of these types and ways to treat them.
8. Environmental Problems-Sometimes it is the actual environment around the plant that is causing the problem
9. Viruses-Identify some of the characteristics of a virus and ways to treat them.
10. Nematodes, Molluscs and Crustaceans-Some of the creatures that look quite innocent are chewing away on your plants. Ways to identify and treat them.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Identify the characteristics of pests and diseases of plants.
• Explain methods for the control of pests and diseases.
• Describe the characteristics of a range of different pesticides, including insecticides and fungicides.
• Explain the selection and use of spray equipment appropriate for different specified tasks.
• Describe aspects of the biology of an insect which are relevant to pest control.
• Describe aspects of the biology of an fungus which are relevant to disease control.
• Explain how inappropriate environmental conditions can affect plant health.
• Identify the characteristic signs of a range of non-insect pests,and select apropriate control methods.

• Develop a checklist for determining the significance of pests and diseases, which addresses different criteria including:
  • short term impact
  • long term impact
  • economic impact
  • aesthetic impact.
• Distinguish between the main types of plant diseases, including:
  • fungal
  • viral
  • bacterial.
• Create a standard worksheet for reviewing pest and disease problems of plants.
• Diagnose different problems (ie. pests or diseases), documenting the problem on a standard pest/disease review worksheet.
• Describe different ways to control pests and diseases, including:
  • Application of chemicals
  • Plant selection
  • Companion planting
  • Cultural techniques (i.e. improving ventilation, improving drainage)
  • Physical control (i.e. pruning, hand removal, trapping, hosing off).
  • Explain how plant breeding has been used to improve pest/disease resistance in different plant species.
• Explain three biological control methods for dealing with specific problems.
• Develop an IPM strategy for a specific situation such as a crop or garden, considering:
  • application procedures, remedial action and monitoring.
• Describe plant hygiene practices for a specific situation such as a crop, nursery or garden, in line with industry practice, enterprise guidelines and sound management practice.
• Recommend control methods for different pest and/or disease problems diagnosed.
• List safety procedures to follow when handling pesticides.
• Distinguish between the main groups of pesticides, including:
  • organo-phosphates
  • synthetic pyrethroids
  • carbamates
  • chlorinated hydrocarbons.
  • Explain the difference between the action of systemic and non-systemic pesticides.
• Explain maintenance practices, including cleaning, for a specified sprayer.
• List different uses for several types of sprayers, including a motorised pump sprayer, a knapsack and a PTO driven tractor mounted sprayer.