10001113Ornamental Plant Health Care for Arboriculture
Course Information
Description
Classification and identification of ornamental plant insects, diseases, and abiotic agents, emphasizing their modes of plant damage. Diagnostics, damage assessment, sample preparation, and control strategies are introduced.
Total Credits
3

Course Competencies
  1. Associate plant disorder agents with their modes of damage and their hosts
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book
    Criteria
    Define plant disease
    Differentiate between biotic and abiotic agents
    Identify host plants (turf, trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants)
    Explore various abiotic disorders

  2. Identify characteristic features of biotic (living) plant disorder agents
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book
    Criteria
    Explain the disease triangle for disorders specified by your instructor
    Identify signs and symptoms for disorders specified by your instructor
    Compare differences between biotic disorders
    Illustrate how diseases are transmitted

  3. Determine the scientific classification of biotic plant disorder agents
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book
    Criteria
    Identify biotic agents that cause plant disease (fungus, bacteria, virus, insect, mites)
    Describe the life cycle of biotic plant disorder agents

  4. Evaluate various pest control strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book
    Criteria
    Describe plant defense mechanisms
    Explain the concept of integrated pest management
    Specify the host/co-host removal in various pest control strategies
    Describe plant health care
    Compare response action plans
    Describe the treatment and monitoring of various pest control strategies
    Differentiate between biological controls, cultural controls, and mechanical controls
    Differentiate between prevention, eradication, and suppression

  5. Analyze the use of pesticides for treating plants
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book
    Criteria
    Choose the correct personal protective equipment for the type of pesticide
    Explore chemical compound classifications
    Differentiate between selective and broad spectrum treatment
    Examine the effects of over spray and drift
    Explain the role of environmental ethics in the pesticide process

  6. Diagnose plant health abnormalities
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, laboratory exercises, weekly log book, in the field
    Criteria
    Locate diseased samples in the field
    Store samples per instructor specification
    Use a microscope
    Diagnosis accurately identifies abnormality/disease

  7. Use a microscope
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in lab
    Criteria
    Prepare specimens for use in microscope
    Handle samples to ensure maximum accuracy of results
    Use most efficient technique for viewing different specimens
    Adjust lens magnification and image resolution effectively
    Use light to affect magnification and resolution
    Prepare a microscope for storage