CIHEAM IAMB

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4. Sustainable IPM Technologies

The Master Programme: One Academic Year  (60ECTS)

The Master Programme in “Sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technologies for Mediterranean Fruit and Vegetable Crops” has been designed to train graduate agronomists, biologists and biotechnologists in modern and sustainable integrated management of economically important pests affecting Mediterranean fruit and vegetable crops. 

The programme is based on an intensive learning course and on the preparation of an IPM project. 

The main objective of the course is to prepare experts able to apply and transfer the IPM approach by combining all appropriate and innovative techniques in a total management system and by minimizing economic, health and environmental risks. Students build capacity and develop skills in:

• Basic IPM principles and methodologies;
• Preventive IPM measures: plant quarantine, pest risk analysis, certified propagating material, resistant/tolerant cultivars or graft combinations, biodiversity maintenance;
• Sustainable use of pesticides and relevant regulations; applications of alternative non-chemical pest management methods; food quality and safety; 
• Sound management of biotic and abiotic disorders in pre- and post-harvest; 
• Information Technology in IPM programmes.

    
A one-week diploming course for training IPM trainers is also organized in collaboration with CropLife North Africa-Middle East as integral part of the programme. This course is an opportunity for students to become fully aware of professional priorities and change their way of thinking about crop protection.

The Master of Science Programme: Two Academic Years  (120ECTS)

The second year is dedicated to scientific research related to a pest/pathogen problem of economic importance for the Mediterranean region.

Students who have successfully completed the first year and met all the prerequisites set by the Institute, carry out scientific research and draft a final thesis on an original topic related to a pest or pathogen of great interest for the Mediterranean region. The aim is promoting the transfer of knowledge to and between the Mediterranean countries. The MSc thesis work can be carried out at MAI Bari or at another Mediterranean scientific research institution. The scientific outcome of the research work is usually announced on the occasion of national and international conferences and/or published in scientific journals.

Topics of MSc theses on pests/pathogens of fruit and vegetable crops are to be chosen among the following research lines:

• Sampling methodologies;
• Pest monitoring, identification and management;
• Pathogen detection, characterization and control;
• Pest/pathogen epidemiology;
• Remote sensing applications and forecasting models;
• Damages and losses assessment; 
• Detection and control of mycotoxins and pesticide residues.

List of students