D3a - Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali - Guida degli insegnamenti (Syllabus)

Program


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PLANT PATHOLOGY
GIANFRANCO ROMANAZZI

Seat Agraria
A.A. A.A. 2016-2017
Credits 6
Hours 54
Period 1^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code STA 3A215

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of plant biology and chemistry. 

 



Development of the course

The didactic method is based on ppt lectures (6 ECTS) (provided in copies to the students), in addition laboratory experiences and guided tours inside farms will be organized in order to put into practice what the students have learned in class (3 ECTS). The course will be also available through an e-learning version using the Moodle platform. Within this platform, the students will find teaching materials, organized in learning units, supplemental literature material, guided tour information and reservations.



Learning outcomes

Knowledge. The course enables students to acquire appropriate knowledge about the main pre and postharvest plant diseases induced by fungi, bacteria, virus and phytoplasma.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding. The main aim of this course is to provide a fully development ability of the students to identify the diseases of main Mediterranean crops.

 

Cross-expertise. (i) making judgements: identifying the information needed to detect and manage plant diseases; (ii) communications: communicate clearly and comprehensively information, ideas, problems and related technical solutions to interlocutors, either professional or not, representative of the various and specific competencies in the plant protection sector (winemakers, growers, administrators, journalists, lawyers, biologists, engineers, architects, etc.). In order to improve the independent development and the communication skills of students, it is proposed the study of specific topics carried out in a teamwork with a final delivery report.

 



Program

Concept of diseases in plants, symptoms (morphological and physiological changes in infected plants), evaluation of losses induced by plant diseases (1.5 ECTS).

Detection of plant pathogens: classical (humid chamber, microscope identification, isolation on agar media), serological (ELISA, Lateral Flow Test) and molecular (PCR, qRT-PCR, RAPD, RFLP, IC-PCR, nested PCR, PCR-ELISA, molecular hybridization, microarray, barcoding, LAMP, RNA-Seq) tools (2.5 ECTS).

Development of diseases in plants: disease cycle, host, pathogen and environmental effects on the development of plant diseases; plant-pathogen interactions, recognition mechanisms between host and pathogen; susceptibility and resistance. Plant disease epidemiology. Agronomic, legislative, physical, genetic, biological and chemical means to control plant diseases. Control methods in organic and integrated pest management (1.5 ECTS).

Characteristics and classification of the causal agents of diseases of main crops of Mediterranean area (fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, phytoplasma). Plant diseases caused by fungal-like organisms and fungi (downy mildews, powdery mildews, gray mold, brown rot, apple scab, sour rot, secondary rots, Esca disease, black rot, Eutypiosis, Verticillium wilt, root rots, rusts), bacteria (olive rapid decline complex, crown gall, olive knot, fire blight), viruses (fanleaf, leafroll, rugose wood, fleck, asteroid mosaic, main viral diseases of stone fruits, olive, and vegetables) and phytoplasma (Flavescence dorée, Bois noir, European Stone Fruit Yellows) (3.5 ECTS).

 



Development of the examination

Learning evaluation methods

The final exam will be based on an oral discussion.

 

Learning evaluation criteria

During the oral exam, the student will have to demonstrate: (i) knowledge of the disease symptoms, the life cycle and the control means of plant pathogens; (ii) knowledge of the main diagnostic tools for plant pathogens; (iii) knowledge of the main plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, virus, viroids, and phytoplasma. To pass the oral exam, the student need to demonstrate an overall understanding of the content using appropriate technical terminology; in addition, the student have to be able to deal with deductive reasoning that enable him to create links within matter, and to have a complete mastery of the subject.

 

Learning measurement criteria

The final mark is attributed in thirtieths. Successful completion of the examination will lead to grades ranging from 18 to 30 “cum laude”.

 

Final mark allocation criteria

The oral examination consists of four main questions, each of ones will be quantified in the range 0 – 7.5. The degree of 30 “cum laude” is attributed when the student demonstrates complete mastery of the subject.

 



Recommended reading

Belli G., 2012. Elementi di Patologia Vegetale. Piccin editore

Agrios G.N., 2004. Plant Pathology - 5th Edition. Elsevier Academic Press

Bautista-Baňos S., Ed., 2014. Postharvest decay – Control Strategies. Academic Press

Muccinelli M., 2011. Prontuario degli agrofarmaci - XIII edizione. Edagricole

Savino V., Amenduni T., Bazzoni A., Boscia D., Pollastro S., Saponari M. Validazione e trasferimento alla pratica agricola di norme tecniche per l'accertamento dello stato sanitario di specie ortofrutticole per patogeni pregiudizievoli alla qualità delle produzioni vivaistiche. Atti Progetto POM A32, Volumi I e II, 2001. www.agr.uniba.it/poma32

Giunchedi L. 2003. Malattie da virus, viroidi e fitoplasmi degli alberi da frutto. Edagricole, 2003

Conti M., Gallitelli D., Lisa V., Lovisolo O., Martelli G.P., Ragozzino A., Rana G.L., Vovlas C., 1996. I principali virus delle piante ortive. Edagricole

 

 

Tutorial sessions

Tuesday and Wednesday, from 5 pm to 7 pm

 



Courses
  • C.L.T. - Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie Curriculum TECNOLOGIE AGRARIE (STA - TA)
  • C.L.T. - Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie Curriculum VITICOLTURA ED ENOLOGIA (STA - VE)




Università Politecnica delle Marche
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