ENT 530 TERM PAPER ‑ SUGGESTED OUTLINE

 

Objective of the Term Paper:  Research an actual IPM program as documented in the literature and evaluate/analyze the program in terms of the material presented throughout the course.  Note: You CAN NOT use an IPM program in Kentucky as the subject of your paper because we will be using Kentucky programs as examples throughout the course.

 

During the first two months of the course, you should think about which system to evaluate.  Look into the literature, refer to the books on reserve for ideas.  Your instructor has some material on specific programs that are available for loan.  Check with your instructor if you need help.  A tentative title identifying the program, crop(s), and locale will be required on March 6.

 

Papers must be typed, 1” margins all around, 12-point font, double spaced, 10-page maximum (text only). 

 

              TERM PAPER IS DUE AT BEGINNING OF CLASS ON APRIL 12, 2006

 

Your Term Paper should have the following sections:

 

   I. Introduction. ‑ Overview of the specific crop production system (CPS) of interest, characteristics of CPS and its environment (climate, soil types, economic issues, etc.), identification of special  aspects of CPS relevant to IPM (if any), identification and brief description of pests.  Note any ecological considerations of special interest relative to the lectures presented in the beginning of the course. 

 

  II. General discussion of the Crop Profile and the Pest Management Plan from that locality.  If you cannot locate these documents for your CPS, then you should select a different CPS for your term paper. 

 

 III. Monitoring and Decision Making. ‑ Discussion of monitoring and surveillance techniques used for major pests in this CPS and any equipment needed.  In addition to pest monitoring, be sure to discuss which climatic/soil variables are monitored and how is this information used. 

 

  IV. Information Flow. ‑ How does information move around in this program?  How are decisions made and what decision tools are used?  What personnel are involved in this decision making and at what stages?

 

V. Management Tactics. ‑ What management tactics are used and what is their sequence of events (intra‑ and interseason).  Emphasize how these tactics are integrated throughout the program.

 

VI. Special Implementation Considerations.  What economic analyses have been  conducted and/or are used?  How are models used in designing management  strategies and tactics, forecasting pest populations, interacting  with other components of the program, etc.? 

 

 VII. Discussion. ‑ Critical appraisal of the program; it's strengths  and weaknesses, problems that were encountered and how they were  resolved.  Where is the program going? 

 

VIII. References. ‑ Use a format from any of the assigned readings  (e.g. your text).  References must be cited in text, table headings, or figures.