The Department of Plant Protection is one of the departments belonging to the Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources. It specialises in education and research in the field of plant protection. Teachers and researchers study pathogens and pests that affect field and horticultural crops, as well as ornamental plants; this includes problems of their detection and determination, and chemical and non-chemical methods of plant protection and management.
Research activities Educational activities Extension and consultancy
Research is mainly concentrated on the following areas: Oilseed rape pests and pathogens, virus diseases of fruit and wild trees, cereal diseases, nematology and acarology, and generally on the development and testing of various chemical and alternative methods of plant protection and their impact on non-target organisms. The development of molecular methods for the detection and determination of various pests and pathogens is also an integral part of the department’s research.
The department guarantees Bachelor and Master study programmes in Plant Protection as well as PhD programmes in Agricultural and Forestry Phytopathology and Plant Protection. In the frame of these programmes, there is a broad spectrum of both general and specialised courses concentrated on plant pests and pathogens, their biology, detection and determination, as well as their management. Within other study programmes, fundamentals of plant protection and subsequently subjects specialising in management of pests and diseases of various types of crops are taught.
Department researchers provide lectures in a number of various extension activities, such as seminars and field days for growers. In the frame of consultancy, they also discuss concrete problems of plant protection with individual growers and pesticide dealers, as well as with state and local authorities. Practical detection and determination of plant pests and pathogens is also a part of these activities. Within the national system of qualifications, the department verifies the professional qualification for the programme “Agricultural Consultant in Plant Protection”. The department also cooperates with other research institutions, including the Crop Research Institute in Prague – Ruzyne, and various other crop-oriented research institutes.
