Distance Learning Plant Pathology
"Improve your understanding of plant disease and how to control them".
" I really appreciate Gavin's (tutor) comments and look forward to receiving the feedback from him."
- Nadine
Learn to grow healthy plants.
This course develops your understanding of all types of plant diseases (fungal, viral, bacterial, non-infectious); their life cycles, and ways they can be controlled both with and without chemicals.
It is a must for horticulturalists who want to boost plant health and prevent damage by pests and diseases.
Plant production is reduced significantly every year, due to pathological problems. To control these problems is to increase productivity, and for the horticultural business; that means increased profit margins.
PLANT PATHOLOGY IS NOT simply a study of pests and diseases. Some pests are in fact not pathological problems, and there are pathological problems which are not pests or diseases.
PLANT PATHOLOGY is about problems in plants caused by physiological damage or irritation at a cellular level. (ie. it is concerned with problems which affect parts of the plant cell, leading to malfunctions in the normal processes which occur within the plant).
Course Structure
There are eight lessons in this course, each one taking around 12 hours to complete. There are three main sections to the course:
1. Introduction
2. Types of Diseases
3. The Life-cycle of a Disease
4. Control Techniques
5. Selected Pathogen Diseases ‑ Ornamentals
6. Selected Pathogen Diseases ‑ Crops
7. Non-Infectious Diseases
8. Special Project
Lesson Aims
- Describe a range of pathological problems that affect plants.
- Describe symptoms of a range of diseases that affect plants.
- Describe disease life cycles and explain how this knowledge can be applied in disease control
- Explain the methods used to control diseases
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of a particular plant pathogen.
- Identify and describe a range of non-infectious diseases and problems that affect plants
- Identify and describe a range of common pathogens that affect ornamental plants.
- Identify and describe a range of common pathogens that affect crop plants
Learning outcomes
1. The first part of the course develops an understanding of the different types of problems which can occur and how to identify them.
Terminology is covered in some depth, so as to enable the student to be able to read and understand books and articles written about plant diseases. Other major topics of study include "symptoms" (ie. necroses, hypoplases, hyperplases, etc), "types of pathogens" (ie. viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, etc), and the life-cycle of a disease.
2. The second part of the course looks at how to control pathology problems. The major methods of controlling pathogens (ie. sanitation, resistant varieties, biological controls, soil drenches and chemical sprays, etc.) are all studied, along with types of equipment and safety.
3. The third part of the course looks at some of the most common plant pathology problems in commercial horticulture, how to identify them and how they are controlled.
Some of the problems studied include cinnamon fungus, tree decay, powdery mildew, nematodes, brown rot, blights, turf fungi, damping off and non infectious problems such as temperature burns, air pollution, wind burn and excessive light.
The course is a highly practical one involving as much time in practical/field work as it does theory.
No prior formal training is required, though anyone undertaking this course is expected to have some experience in horticulture (either having worked in the industry or having studied in some related discipline.
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More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
