Assignment 2 – Pick a Plant, Protect a Plant (15%)
This assignment relates to the following Course Learning Requirements:
CLR 1: Compare major groups of fungi and their impact on cu
ent human affairs.
CLR 2: Summarize the roles of fungi in natural systems.
CLR 3: Explore the industrial application of fungi and their bi-products.
CLR 4: Contrast the historical use of fungi in different cultures.
CLR 5: Select, critically assess and document information using accepted citation principles.
Objective of this Assignment:
In this assignment, we will be learning more, via research, about Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a set of practices that protects plants holistically. This means not only considering the control of pests, but also practices that sustain health, such as using the proper soil, watering, pruning, enough sunlight, etc. If a plant is healthy all around, it is less likely to succumb to disease.
An example might be a flowering shrub in my back yard. In order for it to have sustained health, I need to plant it in the appropriate soil (sandy, clay, well drained, etc.) at the proper depth. I also have to consider how much light it needs. It needs to be pruned sometime during the year. These ‘cultural’ practices keep the plant healthy, reducing the incidence of disease pests and the need for pesticides. Myco
hyzae could help this plant by creating soil root associations to increase nutrient and water uptake. However, there still could be fungal diseases specific to this plant. Considering these factors together is part of integrated pest management practices.
Pre-Assignment Instructions:
1. For this assignment, you need to research a specific plant and a fungal species association, and then identify the practices to keep the plant you have identified healthy. Here is a link to IPM practices and examples http:
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/insects/ipm.html .
Assignment Tasks:
1. Pick a plant that has a fungal association. Identify both the plant and fungus by their scientific names. Often outdoor plants, such as trees, are easier to find in terms of fungal associations. (1-2 paragraphs)
2. Identify and describe the relationship between the fungus and the plant (pest, predator, ‘friend or foe’) Describe the habitat of each. (2-3 paragraphs)
3. Describe the general IPM practices that would be used to protect and sustain the plant. Include the use of the chosen fungus or how that fungus must be dealt with. Discuss how these holistic cultural IPM practices address more than just pests, but also over all plant health. (2-3 paragraphs)
4. Reflect on the multi-disciplinary knowledge required to protect plants from disease, under IPM. (1-2 paragraphs).
Formatting:
Use a college-approved referencing style such as APA or IEEE, for any documentation. Refer to Brightspace for further details. This includes a reference page.
Minimum 500 words (not including references and title page)
Include a title page, with standard formatting (full name, student number, date, section, etc.)
Assignment 1 Grading Ru
ic (15%)
Criteria
Excellent
80-100%
Good
50-79%
Requires Improvement
50%
Points
Assignment Quality
All information offered is accurate
All views are clearly expressed and well explained
Contains original ideas, connections or applications
Most information offered is accurate
Most views are clearly expressed and explained
Contains mainly original ideas, connections or applications
Some or no accurate information offered
Views are rarely or never clear and require further explanation
Many non- original ideas, or unclear connections or applications
/5
Comments
Assignment Knowledge and Skills Demonstration
Clear, concise synthesis of course content to demonstrate understanding of topic
All ideas are clearly developed, organized logically, and connected with effective transitions
Explores ideas, supports points fully using a balance of evidence, uses effective reasoning to make useful distinctions
All relevant course and topic links are made
Evidence of some synthesis of course content to demonstrate understanding of topic
Some unified and coherent ideas are developed with effective transitions
Supports most ideas with effective examples, and/or references, and details, makes key distinctions
Most relevant course and topic links are made
Lack of evidence or weakness in the synthesis of course content to demonstrate understanding of topic
Develops and organizes ideas that are not necessarily connected. Some ideas seem illogical and/or unrelated
Presents ideas in general terms, most ideas are inconsistent/unsupported, and reasoning is flawed or unclea
Some or no relevant course and topic links are made
/5
Comments
Assignment Structure
Formatted as per assignment details
Structure and format enhances delivery of the information
Clear language is used which leads to easy readability
Co
ect grammar and spelling is consistently used
No issues with APA using citations or references.
Formatted as per assignment details in most components
Structure and format fits well with the delivery of the information
Mostly clear language is used with minor readability issues
Few or no spelling and/or grammatical e
ors
Minor issues with APA citations or references
Formatting has not been followed
Structure and format is unclear and impedes delivery of the information
Language used is often unclear which impedes readability
Many spelling and grammatical e
ors
Inco
ect use of APA formatting for citations and references[footnoteRef:1] [1: If there is evidence of missing citations or references, this could constitute plagiarism and will receive a grade of ‘0’. The regulations of academic dishonesty will apply.]
/5
Comments
Total Points
/15
1