HORT*3050 Management of Turfgrass Insect Pests and Weeds

course node page

This course is cancelled for F22.

The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2021 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.

Biology, behavior and impact of insect pests of turfgrass and recognition of symptoms will be emphasized. Identification and management of weed species commonly found in turfgrass will be discussed. Environmental impacts of cultural and chemical control techniques will be discussed for each group of pests and advances in chemical and biological control methods will be developed.

Prerequisite(s): HORT*2450

Restriction(s): DTM*3300

Instructors:

Katerina Serlemitsos Jordan
Francois Tardif

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Undergraduate

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to Web Advisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Define the principal methods of management for insects and weeds of turf as demonstrated through successful completion of quizzes and exams.

  2. Determine and conceptually explain the conditions for the successful management of both insects and weeds in turfgrass systems through the use of integrated methods; demonstrated through successful completion of exams.

  3. Differentiate alternative and conventional management of insect and weed pests in their effects on the environment and the turfgrass ecosystems; as demonstrated by successful completion of quizzes, assignments and exams.

  4. Identify and categorize the most important insect pests and weeds found in turfgrass systems, primarily in Ontario; demonstrated by successful completion of lab assignments and quizzes.

  5. Recognize the effects of the main herbicides used for turf weed control as demonstrated by successful completion of lab assignments.

Lecture Content:

  • Insect Biology and classification
  • Insects as pests
  • Root-feeding pests
  • Stem-feeding pests
  • Insect management, with and without pesticides
  • Bio-control and cultural control (Intro to IPM concepts)
  • Pesticide modes of action
  • Insects of trees and shrubs (if time permits)
  • Weed biology and classification
  • Weeds as pests
  • Weed competition
  • Weed management
  • Herbicide modes of action
  • Weed control without herbicides
  • Weed control and the Pesticide Ban
Labs & Seminars:

Lab topics:

  • Insect identification, Orders
  • Root-feeding pests
  • Insects infesting stems, leaves and sap (piercing sucking)
  • Insects of trees and shrubs
  • Annual dicot weeds
  • Perennial dicot weeds
  • Grass weeds
  • Herbicide mode of action

 

Course Assignments and Tests:

Lecture Quizzes: 15%

Insects Lab Exam: 10%

Insects Lecture Exam: 25%

Lab Assignments - Weeds Section: 20%

Weeds Final Exam: 30%

Final examination:

Please refer to Web Advisor for exam schedule and location.

Course Resources:

Recommended Resource(s)

Turfgrass Insects of the United States and Canada (Textbook)
    Vittum, P. et al. (eds.) 1999. Turfgrass Insects of the United States and Canada. Cornell Univ. Press.

Destructive Turfgrass Insects: Biology, Diagnosis and Control (Textbook)
     Potter, D.A. 1998. Destructive Turfgrass Insects: Biology, Diagnosis and Control, J. Wiley & Sons.

 

Course Policies:

Late Policy

1. Answers to all take home assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates specified. A penalty of 10% per day will be deducted for late assignments. Requests for extensions due to illness or other personal issues must be made in writing and accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation.

2. Rescheduled exams: The insects exam and the final exam must be written on the date scheduled unless there is a documented timetabling conflict. Please advise the instructor in writing of any scheduling conflict prior to Week 3 for the Insects exam and prior to Week 7 for the final exam.

Re-evaluation

Students have 5 class-days upon receiving assignments to appeal to the instructor. The entire assignment will be re-evaluated for accuracy of grading.

Groupwork Policy

Students are expected to produce individual reports or assignments even when they worked in groups unless specifically stated by the instructor.

 

Other Course Information:

Email Communication

As per university regulations, all students are required to check their e-mail account regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the University and its students.

When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons please advise the course instructor (or designated person, such as a teaching assistant) in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. The regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration are detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Drop Date

Courses that are one semester long must be dropped by the end of the fortieth class day; two-semester courses must be dropped by the last day of the add period in the second semester. The regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses are available in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Copies of Out-of-class Assignments

Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all out-of-class assignments: you may be asked to resubmit work at any time.

University Policies

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration:

Academic Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students  to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community's shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS), formerly Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSD), as soon as possible.

For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email sas@uoguelph.ca or visit the Student Accessibility Services website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/.

Course Evaluation Information

Your ratings and comments are important.  Course evaluation data are used to assess and enhance the quality of teaching and student learning at the University of Guelph.  Student course ratings and comments are used as an important component in the Faculty Tenure & Promotion process, and as valuable feedback to help instructors improve their teaching effectiveness and to improve the delivery of the course.

Your responses will not affect your grade.  Course evaluation data are distributed to individual instructors after final grades have been submitted to the Registrar, following the completion of each academic semester.

Please be honest, respectful, constructive and thorough.  Instructors and review committees place great value on student course ratings and read all comments provided in course evaluations. It is helpful to provide comments on the strengths of the course, in addition to the areas for improvement.  Please refrain from personal comments unless they relate to teaching and learning.

Click here for the University of Guelph Course Evaluation System