H2020 IPMWORKS e-learning training modules

The IPMWORKS e-learning modules (IPMworks toolbox) have been prepared based on successful experiences within the project network, including technical aspects of IPM strategies, farm performance or co-innovation and method for farm hub coaching, targeting both farmers and advisers. Modules on agroecosystem approach, on holistic pest management examples and on the key topic of policies are also included to frame the technical ones.

The materials that compose the modules focus on IPM technical aspects, IPM efficiency to gain sustainability, and methods for coaching farmers towards the adoption of cost-effective IPM strategies, based on both existing IPM resources and holistic management examples produced by the IPMWORKS network. These materials consist of, on the one hand, presentations reflecting the theoretical content and the selected resources for each theme, and, on the other hand, recorded videos of the lectures of these presentations.

These module packages can be adapted to national needs and local contexts, since they have been produced to be used like an interactive training catalogue. In line with this purpose, the modules are divided in short chapters, enabling the access to specific chapters according to the national needs and local contexts of the modules’ users.

Module 1: Agrosystem/Agroecosystem: Concepts and theory. Holistic approach to IPM.

Module 1 focuses on the concepts and theory of agro-ecosystems, including the holistic approach of IPM. It begins by outlining what an agro-ecosystem is and what the objectives are for the progress of agriculture in the world. It also introduces the three groups of organisms that cause crop losses along with the impact of arthropod pests, diseases and weeds on crop yields. In addition, it introduces landscape ecology and epidemiology and agro-ecosystem management and the holistic concept of IPM. The module contains a case study: protected crops, which exposes the evolution of pest control in EU greenhouses, and the introduction of biological control. In terms of the Agroecosystem and the limitations for IPM implementation, the case study presents tools for managing the landscape around the greenhouses in order to facilitate the colonisation by beneficial insects.

Module leaders: Joaquín Balduque (IAMZ-CIHEAM), Antonio López-Francos (IAMZ-CIHEAM) and Ramón Albajes, University of Lleida (external collaborator, IAMZ-CIHEAM).

1.0.    Introduction

1.1.    What an agroecosystem is

1.2.    Objectives for the progress of agriculture in the World: simultaneous increase of the productivity and sustainability

1.3.    The three groups of organisms that cause crop losses

1.4.    Impact of arthropods pests, diseases, and weeds on crop yield

1.5.    Landscape ecology & epidemiology and agroecosystem management

1.6.    A general survey of agroecosystem management for IPM. Holistic IPM concept

1.7.    Two case studies: protected and arable crops

1.8.    Open questions for reflection and discussion

Module 2: Plant health risk challenges and Policy context in the EU.

Module 2 presents the Plant health risk challenges and Policy context in the EU. It starts presenting the risks and challenges for Plant Health in the present decade, including pest resurgence and emerging risks and also addressing the current EU legislation. Examples of resurgent pests are included for arthropod pests (Frankliniella occidentalis), plant pathogens (Xylella fastidiosa) and weeds (Amaranthus palmeri), including the risk factors for each of them. Furthermore, Module 2 presents a case study based on how the SUD has been implemented in Denmark and exposes new and future EU legislation on pesticides and a closer look on the IPM principles.

Module leaders: Per Kudsk (AU) and Ramón Albajes, University of Lleida (external collaborator, IAMZ-CIHEAM).

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2.1.    Risks and Challenges for Plant Health in the present decade. Pest resurgence and emerging risks

2.2.    Current EU legislation

2.3.    Case study: How the SUD has been implemented in Denmark

2.4.    New and future EU legislation on pesticides and a closer look on the IPM principles

Module 3: Integrated Weed Management (IWM).

Module 3 starts presenting the principles of IWM and the biology of weeds. For the technical aspects of IWM, this module strongly relies on material previously released by the H2020 IWMPRAISE project. This material is presenting a comprehensive number of IWM tactics, accessible for the IPMWORKS e-learning modules users. These resources include available IWM tools for Perennial crops / Narrow row crops / Broad row crops and perennial weeds / annual weeds. The IWMPRAISE booklets of experimental trials in Europe are also presented, including results, tools and strategies identified in Denmark, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, and United Kingdom. Furthermore, IWMPRAISE sheets, made as one-pagers which give a short and concise description of each IWM tool or tactic are also introduced. The IPM strategy of cultivar choice is also exposed, in the case study of winter wheat. As a complement to IWMPRAISE material, this module includes two case studies, namely the case study based on an 18-year IWM experiment in arable field crops in France, and the case study of an IWM experiment on arable vegetables in The Netherlands. Case studies outline a number of IPM tools for preventing establishment and competition and reducing multiplication of weeds, along with results on cost-efficiency.

Module leaders: Nicolas Munier-Jolain (INRAE), Mette Sønderskov (AU) and Marleen Riemens (WR).

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3.1.    Introduction to integrated weed management

3.2.    Principles of IWM, triangles and hexagons

3.3.    The biology of weeds

3.4.    Individual IWM tactics

3.4.1. Choosing a cultivar with high competitive ability

3.5.    Case study #1 French case, arable crops

3.6.    Case study #2 Dutch case, arable vegetables

Module 4: Integrated Disease Management (IDM).

Module 4 focuses on diseases management and on the challenges we are facing in agriculture, considering three main aspects, which are climate change, the need and request to reduce the use of plant protection products, and last but not least, the resistance management. The module gets into the context of Sustainable Agriculture and applied epidemiology for disease control. In addition, it presents 3 cases studies: Arable crops (wheat), Horticultural crops (processing tomato) and Perennial crops (grapevine). This module introduces the multiple modelling approach Decision Support Systems (DSSs). The content present different IPM tools for the following crops / diseases with 3 cases studies: i) Wheat / Fusarium head blight, ii) Tomato / Downy mildew, Alternaria leaf blight and Bacteriosis and iii) Grapevine / Downy mildew.

Module leader: Tito Caffi (UCSC).

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4.1.    Current challenges in disease control

4.2.    Disease management in the context of Sustainable Agriculture

4.3.    Applied epidemiology for disease control

4.4.    Case study. Arable crops: wheat

4.5.    Case study. Horticultural crops: processing tomato

4.6.    Case study. Perennial crops: grapevine

Module 5: Integrated Invertebrate Pest Management (IIPM).

Module 5 focuses on invertebrate pest management. This module introduces the concept of the art of doing nothing as a core philosophy for pest management. And finally, the wide range of IPM tactics available for invertebrate pest management are introduced. Specific examples on IPM tactics are provided in the rest of the module.

Module leader: Mark Ramsden (ADAS) and Eleanor Dearlove (ADAS).

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5.1.    Introduction to Invertebrate Pest Management

5.2.    Injury and damage caused by invertebrate pests

5.3.    Agronomic, mechanical, and physical management options

5.4.    Decision Support Systems and monitoring as part of Invertebrate IPM

5.5.    Biocontrol of invertebrate pests

5.6.    Synthetic Chemical Pesticides Resistance Management

Module 6: Holistic IPM examples.

Module 6: Holistic IPM examples presents one chapter per each of the 5 agricultural sectors represented in IPMWORKS: arable crops, vineyard, orchards, vegetables, and horticulture, including different holistic IPM strategies in each of these sectors.

Module leaders: Joaquín Balduque (IAMZ-CIHEAM), Antonio López-Francos (IAMZ-CIHEAM), Carlos Lozano, Aragon Government (external collaborator, IAMZ-CIHEAM), Geert Kessel (WUR), David Lafond (ACTA/IFV), Dieter Depraetere (INAGRO) and Eduardo Crisol (COEXPHAL).

1.1.    Orchards. Carlos Lozano, Aragon Government (external collaborator, IAMZ-CIHEAM).

1.2.    Arable crops. Geert Kessel (WUR).

1.3.    Vineyards. David Lafond (ACTA/IFV).

1.4.    Outdoor vegetables. Dieter Depraetere (INAGRO).

1.5.    Greenhouse – horticulture. Eduardo Crisol (COEXPHAL).

Module 7: Assessment of an IPM system.

Module 7 cover the Assessment of an IPM system. It presents how, when redesigning cropping and farming systems to adopt more IPM so as to reduce pesticides use, we need to be aware of the diversity of assessment topics. This is important, both to convince farmers to adopt IPM and to inform policymakers about the consequences of promoting the adoption of IPM.

Module leader: Nicolas Munier-Jolain (INRAE).

1.1.    Introduction

1.2.    Measuring pesticide use and impact

1.3.    Assessment of cost-efficiency of low-pesticide IPM-based cropping systems

Module 8: Soft skills for facilitating interactive learning and demonstration on IPM.

Module 8 is dedicated to technical methods of implementation of IPM, social skills and group coaching for advisors and collective coaching of farmers through peer-to-peer learning and in-farm co-innovation processes. Given the changes in practices, it is important to ensure how they can be facilitated with farmers. The (new) approach for advisors engaged in coaching farmers towards more holistic IPM requires a balance between being an expert and being a facilitator. The module relies on experiences in the IPMWORKS project farmer groups that we call hubs, coordinated by so-called hub coaches.

Module leaders: Calypso Picaud (APCA/CRAO), Laure Triste (EVILVO), Simon Lox (EVILVO), Seerp Wigboldus (WR) and Harm Brinks (DELPHY).

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8.0.    Introduction

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8.1.    Changing role of advisors

8.2.    Tools for developing and facilitating a meeting

8.3.    Facilitation of group meeting

8.4.    Let’s talk about IPM

8.5.    Soft skills for facilitating interactive learning and demonstration of IPM