Module 6: Pest and Disease Management

Lesson 1: Identification and classification of pests and diseases

Objective: identify common agricultural pests and diseases, classify them according to
their impact on plants, and understand basic control methods for each category.

Introduction:
Pests and diseases are major challenges in agricultural crop production, as they can
significantly reduce yield and quality. Understanding how to identify and classify these
threats is crucial for effective pest and disease management. This lesson will explore the
characteristics of common pests and diseases, their impact on horticultural and
agricultural crops, and the methods available to control and prevent them.

ACTIVITY

Instructions: Below are descriptions of different plant diseases and pests. For each
description, identify the correct disease or pest.

__________: This disease appears as white or gray powdery spots on leaves and can
spread across the entire plant.

__________: Affects tomatoes and potatoes, causing browning or blackening of leaves and
stems.

__________: Occurs mostly in waterlogged soil, causing soft, discolored roots.

__________: Causes circular, often brown, black, or yellow spots on leaves, typically due to
fungal or bacterial infection.

__________: Small insects in green, black, or brown, often found on new plant growth; can
cause curled or distorted leaves.

__________: Very small red or brown insects that create a fine webbing on leaves, causing
them to yellow.

__________: This leaf-eating pest leaves large holes or chewed edges on leaves.

__________: Small, white, moth-like insects on the undersides of leaves that cause
yellowing and wilting.

ABSTRACTION

Definition of Pests and Diseases:

 Pests are organisms that cause harm to plants, including insects, rodents, birds, and
other animals. They can damage plants by feeding on them or spreading diseases.

 Diseases in plants are caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and
nematodes, which disrupt normal plant functions and lead to symptoms such as
wilting, discoloration, and lesions.

Classification of Pests:

 Insects: Examples include aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies, which damage crops
through feeding or transmission of diseases.
 Mammals: Rodents and other mammals can damage crops through grazing and
burrowing.
 Birds: Certain bird species cause damage by feeding on fruits and seeds.
 Nematodes: These microscopic worms damage roots and cause stunting and
yellowing of plants.

Classification of Plant Diseases:

 Fungal Diseases: Includes rusts, molds, and blights. These diseases are typically
characterized by lesions, discoloration, or abnormal growth.
 Bacterial Diseases: Examples include bacterial wilt and fire blight. These diseases
often cause wilting, yellowing, or soft rot in plants.
 Viral Diseases: Viruses like the tobacco mosaic virus cause mottled, deformed
leaves, and stunted growth.
 Nematode Infestation: Root-knot nematodes can cause root galls, affecting water
and nutrient uptake, leading to reduced plant growth.

Signs and Symptoms:

 Understanding the visible symptoms (e.g., wilting, discolored spots, holes in leaves)
is key for identifying pests and diseases.
 Use of plant diagnostic tools such as field observation, plant tissue analysis, and lab
identification techniques.

Control Methods:

 Cultural Practices: Crop rotation, proper spacing, and soil management to reduce
pest and disease pressure.
 Chemical Control: Pesticides and fungicides as a last resort, used to manage specific
pest or disease outbreaks.
 Biological Control: Introducing natural predators or competitors to control pests (e.g.,
ladybugs to control aphids).
 Resistant Varieties: Planting pest-resistant or disease-resistant crop varieties to
prevent damage.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

 A sustainable approach combining different methods (biological, chemical, and

cultural) to manage pest and disease issues while minimizing harm to the
environment.
 Emphasis on monitoring, early detection, and proper timing of control measures.

Lesson 2: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies

Objective:
Understand the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), identify its core
strategies, and apply these strategies in a sustainable and effective way to manage pest
populations in agricultural systems.

Introduction:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally sustainable approach that
combines multiple pest control methods to manage pest populations while minimizing
the negative impact on the environment, non-target species, and human health. Unlike
conventional pesticide-heavy methods, IPM emphasizes prevention, monitoring, and the
use of biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods as part of a holistic
strategy to manage pests. This lesson will explore the principles and strategies of IPM to
help students understand how to effectively control pests in agricultural production
systems.

ABSTRACTION

Definition of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

 IPM is an approach that integrates different pest control methods to manage pest
populations effectively and sustainably.
 The goal of IPM is not to eradicate pests but to keep their numbers below levels that
would cause significant damage to crops, reduce pesticide use, and protect the
environment.
 It is a decision-making process that combines ecological principles, pest biology, and
knowledge of the agroecosystem.

Core Principles of IPM:

 Prevention: Preventing pest problems before they occur through practices such as
crop rotation, proper plant spacing, and soil health management.
 Monitoring and Early Detection: Regularly monitoring pest populations through field
surveys, traps, and pest scouting to detect early infestations.
 Thresholds: Understanding and defining pest thresholds, which are the levels at
which pest populations will cause economic damage to the crop. Treatment is only
applied when these thresholds are exceeded.
 Cultural Control: Using agricultural practices to reduce pest habitat and limit their
access to crops (e.g., crop rotation, cover crops, and proper irrigation techniques).
 Biological Control: Introducing natural enemies of pests, such as predators,
parasitoids, and pathogens, to reduce pest populations. Examples include using
ladybugs to control aphids or introducing beneficial nematodes to control soil-borne
pests.
 Mechanical and Physical Control: Using physical barriers (e.g., nets, row covers) and
mechanical methods (e.g., hand-picking pests, tilling the soil) to prevent pest
damage.
 Chemical Control: Using pesticides as a last resort, applying them in a targeted and
controlled manner to minimize environmental impact. This includes the use of bio-
pesticides, organic pesticides, and selective chemicals that are less harmful to
beneficial organisms.

Steps in IPM:
 Identification of Pests: Accurate identification of pests is crucial for effective
management. This involves distinguishing between harmful pests and beneficial
organisms.
 Monitoring Pest Populations: Regular pest scouting, using traps, and identifying pest
life stages to assess pest populations and their movement.
 Determining Action Thresholds: Defining the pest population levels that will cause
economic harm to crops, and deciding the need for action.
 Selecting Control Methods: Choosing the appropriate control methods (cultural,
biological, mechanical, or chemical) based on the specific pest problem and crop
situation.
 Evaluation: Regular evaluation of pest management strategies to assess their
effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.

Benefits of IPM:
 Reduced Pesticide Use: IPM aims to minimize the use of synthetic chemicals, thus
reducing pesticide residues in food, soil, and water.
 Environmental Protection: By relying on a combination of methods, IPM reduces the
risk of environmental pollution and damage to non-target organisms.
 Cost-Effectiveness: Over time, IPM can be more cost-effective compared to relying
solely on chemical pesticides.
 Sustainable Agriculture: IPM supports sustainable agricultural practices by
maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Challenges of IPM:
 Knowledge and Expertise: Successful IPM requires farmers to be knowledgeable
about pests, beneficial organisms, and various control methods.
 Initial Costs: Some IPM practices may involve upfront costs, such as purchasing
equipment for monitoring or implementing biological controls.
 Farmer Adoption: There can be resistance to adopting IPM practices due to the
perceived complexity, time commitment, and changes to traditional farming
methods.

Examples of IPM in Action:

 Fruit Fly Control in Orchards: Using pheromone traps for monitoring and introducing
natural predators like parasitoids to reduce fruit fly populations.
 Cotton Bollworm Control: Implementing crop rotation and planting resistant varieties,
combined with the use of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton and biocontrol agents.

Lesson 3: Safe and sustainable pesticide use

Objective:
Understand the importance of safe and sustainable pesticide use in agriculture, identify
key practices for handling and applying pesticides responsibly, and recognize the impact
of pesticides on human health, non-target organisms, and the environment.

Introduction:
Pesticides play a vital role in modern agriculture by controlling pests that threaten crops,
but their misuse can lead to harmful consequences such as environmental pollution,
pesticide resistance, and health hazards for farm workers and consumers. Safe and
sustainable pesticide use is essential to minimize these risks while maintaining the
effectiveness of pest control. This lesson explores safe pesticide application techniques,
the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), alternatives to chemical
pesticides, and the role of integrated pest management (IPM) in promoting sustainable
agricultural practices.

ABSTRACTION

Understanding Pesticides:
Pesticides are substances used to prevent, control, or eliminate pests that
damage crops, livestock, and stored products. These include insecticides, herbicides,
fungicides, rodenticides, and more.

Types of Pesticides:
 Insecticides: Target insect pests.
 Herbicides: Control unwanted plants (weeds).
 Fungicides: Control fungal diseases.
 Rodenticides: Control rodents.
 Biopesticides: Derived from natural materials (plants, bacteria, fungi) used for pest
control.

The Importance of Safe Pesticide Use:

 Health Risks: Improper handling or overuse of pesticides can lead to serious health
issues such as poisoning, cancer, neurological disorders, and skin irritation.
 Environmental Impact: Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, and air, harming non-
target organisms (such as beneficial insects, wildlife, and aquatic life). Pesticides can
also contribute to the degradation of biodiversity.
 Pesticide Resistance: Overreliance on chemical pesticides can lead to pests
developing resistance, rendering the chemicals ineffective over time.
Principles of Sustainable Pesticide Use:
 Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A key approach to minimizing pesticide use by
combining biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods to manage
pest populations.
 Selective Pesticide Use: Using pesticides only when necessary and choosing the least
toxic options to control pests. This involves monitoring pest populations, applying
pesticides at the right time, and using the correct dosage.
 Non-Chemical Alternatives: Promoting alternative methods like biological control
(introducing natural predators or parasites of pests), crop rotation, and resistant
plant varieties to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.

Safe Handling and Application Practices:

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Proper PPE, such as gloves, goggles, masks,
and protective clothing, must be worn during pesticide application to prevent direct
contact with the chemicals.
 Correct Application Techniques:
Calibration of Equipment: Ensuring that pesticide application equipment is
properly calibrated to apply the correct amount.
Weather Conditions: Avoiding pesticide application during high winds, rain,
or extreme temperatures to minimize drift and volatilization.
Timing: Applying pesticides at times when pests are most vulnerable, such
as during early morning or late evening, to reduce exposure to non-target species
like pollinators.
 Safe Storage and Disposal: Pesticides should be stored in a cool, dry, and secure
place, away from children and animals. Empty pesticide containers must be disposed
of properly according to local regulations to prevent contamination.

Regulations and Guidelines:

 Regulatory Authorities: Government agencies (such as the Environmental Protection
Agency or Food and Drug Administration in the U.S.) regulate the approval, sale, and
use of pesticides, ensuring that they are safe for both human health and the
environment when used as directed.
 Labeling and Safety Instructions: All pesticides come with labels that include
instructions on proper application, safety precautions, and disposal. It is crucial to
read and follow these instructions carefully.

Impact of Pesticides on Non-Target Organisms:

 Pollinators: Many pesticides, particularly insecticides, can harm bees and other
pollinators that are essential for crop production. Measures should be taken to
protect pollinators, such as using insecticides during non-pollination periods.
 Aquatic Life: Pesticides that run off into water bodies can poison aquatic organisms,
disrupting ecosystems. Buffer zones and reduced pesticide use near water sources
can help mitigate these risks.
 Wildlife: Pesticides can accumulate in the food chain, affecting birds, mammals, and
other wildlife. Sustainable practices and the judicious use of chemicals help protect
wildlife habitats.

Benefits of Sustainable Pesticide Use:

 Health and Safety: By minimizing pesticide use and following safety protocols, health
risks to farmers, workers, and consumers are significantly reduced.
 Environmental Protection: Sustainable pesticide use helps protect soil health, water
quality, and biodiversity.
 Economic Sustainability: Sustainable practices often lead to reduced pesticide costs,
improved pest resistance, and long-term viability of agricultural systems.

Examples of Sustainable Practices:

 Biological Pest Control: Introducing natural predators or competitors to control pest
populations. For example, using ladybugs to control aphids or introducing parasitic
wasps to control caterpillar pests.
 Use of Organic Pesticides: Organic pesticides, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap,
are often less toxic to humans and wildlife compared to conventional chemical
pesticides.
 Crop Rotation and Resistant Varieties: Changing the types of crops grown in an area
each season and using pest-resistant crop varieties can reduce pest pressures and
the need for chemical treatments.

ANALYSIS

Instruction: Choose two common plant diseases and two types of pests from the list
provided (Activity). For each disease and pest, analyze and explain:

 The impact it has on the plant's health and crop yield.

 Environmental factors or farming practices that might contribute to its spread.
 The most effective control measures, including preventive practices and treatments,
and explain why they are suitable.

APPLICATION

Scenario: You are a horticulturalist managing a vegetable garden that has recently been
affected by aphids, which are damaging the leaves of several crops, and powdery
mildew, which is affecting your cucumbers.

Task: Based on your knowledge of pest and disease management, develop a control plan
that includes:

1. Identification of symptoms for aphids and powdery mildew.

2. Immediate actions to reduce the spread and impact of both the pest and the disease.
3. Long-term preventive measures to protect your plants from future infestations.
4. Sustainable practices you could implement that would minimize environmental impact.