Dr. David Jordan
Reynolds Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

Teaching the Undergraduate IPM Course: A Mile Wide and Occasionally a Mile Deep

Summary
The undergraduate course Integrated Pest Management (CS 415) is required for several undergraduate curricula in CALS. Major elements of the course include: IPM from an historical perspective; general overviews of entomology, plant pathology, nematology and weed science; calculations of economic thresholds for insects; calculation of the AUDPC used in plant pathology; challenges with economic thresholds for weeds; contrasts of organic and conventional production; cover crops as a tool for pest management; elements of boll weevil, screwworm, and witchweed (Striga) eradication programs; pollinators; evolved resistance of pests; pesticide stewardship; ramifications of climate change on pests and their management; statistics and pest management recommendations; and risk management tools for pests. Elements of pest management in multiple settings include: major agronomic crops (corn, cotton, grain sorghum, peanut, soybean, and tobacco); vegetable and fruit crops (blueberry, cucumbers, strawberry, sweet corn, sweetpotato, and tomato); contrasts of pest management in pastures and forages, turfgrass, and small grains; pest management in aquatic, urban, greenhouse and nursery settings; pests of stored products; and pest management in resource-limited countries with a focus on interactions of agriculture and human health. In addition to exams and daily quizzes, each student is assigned a unique setting and asked to prepare a one-page fact sheet on the distribution, biology and economic impact of a pest of their choice. Approaches to managing the pest using PAMS (Prevention, Avoidance, Monitoring, and Suppression) as outlined by the Southern Region IPM Center is required. A second component of the assignment is development of a risk index for the pest and setting. A textbook is not required for the course. However, in addition to PowerPoint presentations, students receive CAST and peer-reviewed articles throughout the semester and pest management guides and manuals. Students consider environmental, financial, and social ramifications of pest management and unexpected consequences that may occur.

The Zoom room opens at 3:30 and the seminar begins at 3:40.

Contact CropAndSoil@ncsu.edu for Zoom URL.