AGRI 113 Chapter 1

AGRI 113/CP 30: PRINCIPLES OF CROP PROTECTION
This course discusses basic knowledge about protection of plants from pest
infestation and disease infection. It basically discusses the importance of the
morphology and ecology of crop pests. Including the importance and concept of plant
diseases, parasitism and disease development, classification of plant disease,
symptoms and signs of plant disease, defense mechanism of plants against plant
disease, factors affecting epidemiology of plant disease, principles of plant and disease
management and the integrated pest management program on some high value crops.
This course also contains weed science which includes the identification and
characterization of weeds and the damage it cause. Moreover, it also discusses
observation of general insect morphology and its characteristics, symptoms of damage,
insect orders and families.
INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF CROP PROTECTION

Introduction
This chapter discusses about the importance of crop protection in relation to
world population and food supply, Identification of pests and its economic importance
and creates awareness on current issues involving crop protection concerns.
Learning Outcome
At the end of this chapter students will be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of crop protection in relation to world population and
food supply.
2. Identify pests and its economic importance including various different
disciplines in crop protection.
3. Self-awareness on the current issues, concerns and importance of the
course.
Learning Content
1: The world population and food supply
2: Role of crop protection in increasing food supply
3: Definition of pest(s)
4: Economic Importance of pests
5: Various disciplines involved in Crop Protection
Agriculture came from the latin word “ager cultura” means cultivation of the fields.
It is defined as the art and science which deals with the production of plants and
animals useful to man involving soil cultivation and the breeding and management of
crops and livestock. It is the systematic raising of useful plants and livestock under the
management of man. It is the science of cultivating plants and animals and the science
of farming.
Agriculture is important to our economy for it provides food and raw materials for
the rest of the economy. Buyer of non-agricultural inputs and consumer goods and
services or support other sectors of the economy. It releases surplus labor to services
and industry sectors. And it contributes economic progress it helps decrease
unemployment rate and increase export.
Economic importance – refers to an action, item, idea, or discovery that impacts how
well we live.
- It refers to the financial impact of a particular organism or biological system in
a particular environment.
Economic Issue
- Global population is on the rise
- Food shortage
- Conversion of agricultural land into industrial land
1. GLOBAL 3. THIS means

POPULATION FARMERS MUST
Is on the rise INCREASE YIELDS
on existing land
2. and therefore so is
FOOD DEMAND 4. CROP LOSS DUETO PEST
5.CROP PROTECTION
Sustainably
maximize And Minimize
production Losses due to
pests, weeds
and disease
Figure above: Global population is on the rise due to population growth therefore
food demand is also rising which means farmers must increase their production yield on
existing land. However, pests and diseases hinder the farmers in reaching the goal of
the farmers in increasing the yield of their crops. To be able maximize production and
minimize losses due to insects, weeds and diseases, these concerns gave birth to crop
protection. Where, crop protection is defined as the science of managing pests (insects,
plant diseases and weeds) that damages our agricultural crops.
Crop protection has three major disciplines:

1. Plant Pathology is defined as the scientific study of diseases in plants caused
by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological
factors).
2. Weed Science is defined as the study of weeds and their control.
3. Entomology is defined as the study of insects.

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AGRI 113/CP 30: PRINCIPLES OF CROP PROTECTION

INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF CROP PROTECTION

1. GLOBAL 3. THIS means

Crop protection has three major disciplines:

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