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FOREST PATHOLOGY
SERGIO MUROLO

Seat Agraria
A.A. A.A. 2016-2017
Credits 6
Hours 54
Period 1^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code SFA 3A217

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of general biology, botany, chemistry, and genetics.

Development of the course

The didactic method is based on ppt lectures (4 ETCS) (provided in e-copies to the students) and laboratory experiences and guided tours in forest nursery, regional forests, and urban areas, where phytosanitary problems outbreak (2 ETCS). The course will be also available through an e-learning version using the Moodle platform. Within this platform, the course will be divided into: (i) teaching materials composed by different learning units; (ii) self-assessment tests; (iii) the forum section where there are the field trip information and reservations .

 

Learning outcomes

 

Knowledge. The course enables students to acquire the fundamental and essential knowledge about the pathogen biology, predisposing factors, damages induced by main pathogens in forest and in urban green areas, the diagnostic techniques and biological and integrate control strategies.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding. The main aim of this course is to provide a fully development ability of the students in recognizing the most important symptomatic frames, hypothesizing causal biotic or abiotic agents, verifying and identifying the causal agents by lab techniques, elaborating sustainable control strategies in forest and urban environment.

 

Cross-expertise. (i) making judgements: capability of identify the information needed to manage the main pathogens (fungi, bacteria, virus, viroids, phytoplasma) in a forest environment; (ii) communications: capability of clearly and exhaustively communicate notions, ideas, problems and technical solutions to interlocutors, either professional or not, representative of the various and specific competencies involved in the management and mitigation of phytosanitary problems (engineer, architect, administrator).

 

Program

The program is composed of two main sections: general aspects and specific plant diseases.

General aspects

• Plant Diseases: the concept of diseases in plants, symptoms (morphological and physiological changes in infected plants), evaluation of losses induced by plant diseases, detection and diagnosis of plant pathogens and plant diseases (1 ETCS).
• Development of diseases in plants and in forest environment: disease cycle, host, pathogen and environmental effects on the development of infectious plant diseases; plant-pathogen interactions, recognition mechanisms between host and pathogen; susceptibility and resistance (1 ETCS).
• Plant disease epidemiology. Control methods (sylvicultural, physical, chemical, genetic, and biological approaches, regulatory control measures) in organic, sustainable and integrated pest management (0.5 ETCS).

Specific plant diseases

• Main forest disease caused by fungi on hardwoods (Castanea, Quercus, Fagus, Ulmus, Platanus, Acer, Betula, Juglas, Fraxinus, Prunus, Aesculus) and on conifers (Pinus, Abies, Larix, Cupressus, Pseudotsuga): damping-off, root- and collar-rots, powdery mildews, rusts, cankers, vascular wilts, leaf spots (1 ETCS)
• Main forest diseases caused by bacteria and phytoplasma, virus and viroids (0.5 ETCS)

 

Moreover, in the course 30% of hours (2ETCS) are reserved for practical lessons in the laboratory or for field surveys  

Development of the examination

Learning evaluation methods

Oral discussion about selected subjects listed in the teaching program. During the course, there are also going to be available self-evaluation tests (e-learning mode), in order to provide the students useful information about their skill level.

 

Learning evaluation criteria

In the oral classwork, the student will have to demonstrate: (i) knowledge of the main symptpmatic frames induced by pathogens; (ii) knowledge of the lab techniques applying to identify forest pathogens; (iii) life cycle, damage and control strategies of the major pathogens in forest and urban environment. To pass the oral exam, the student must demonstrate an overall understanding of the content using appropriate technical terminology, and 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 three questions concerning general aspects and two questions about the specific plant diseases. Each question about the general aspects is evaluated in the range 0-7, on the other hand each question about the specific plant diseases is quantified in the range 0-5. The degree of 30 “cum laude” is attributed when the student demonstrates complete mastery of the subject.

 

Recommended reading

- Agrios G.N. Plant Pathology - 5th Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, 2004
- Belli G. Elementi di Patologia Vegetale. Piccin editore, 2007
- Capretti P., Ragazzi A. Elementi di Patologia forestale. Patron Editore, 2009.

- Intini M., Panconesi A., Parrini C. Malattie delle alberature in ambiente urbano. Ed. Studio Leonardo, 2000

- Panconesi A., Moricca S., Ragazzi A., Dellavalle I., Tiberi R. Parassiti delle piante arboree forestali ed ornamentali. Patron Editore, 2014. 

 

Tutorial session

 

On Tuesday and Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm.

 

 

Courses

• C.L.T. - Scienze Forestali ed Ambientali (SFA)