56516 - Diagnosis of Plant Diseases (taught in English)

Learning outcomes

The teaching course includes two main parts: a general and a special one. The latter is prevalent and devoted to laboratory training and outdoor activities.  The students will acquire a basic/practical knowledge leading to:
1. recognize the diseases by biotic and abiotic agents and formulate hypotheses on its etiology and development;
2. formulate a correct diagnosis, based on symptoms and on analytical procedures;
3. detect and identify different pathogens associated with representative plant samples, using diagnostic techniques based on conventional and molecular methods;
4. evaluate the suitability of selected diagnostic techniques for phytosanitary certification protocols.

Course contents

Study of disease symptoms: type, distribution, development. Plant diagnostic checklist. Hypothesis on general nature of the problem and specific cause of symptoms. Sampling for analysis. Detection and identification of plant pathogens: light and electron microscopy, direct isolation,  transmission to indicator plants, serological techniques (ELISA, IF), molecular techniques (hybridisation assays, PCR, RFLP, RAPD). Evaluation od some diagnostic techniques in phytosanitary certification protocols.
The main contents  practical activity are the following:
1. Analysis of plant samples: detection and identification of pathogens by means of phenotypic, immunological, molecular fingerprints;
2. Monitoring of diseases affecting crops grown in glasshouses and/or in the field; stepwise approach to diagnosis.

Readings/Bibliography

Notes from lectures
 
P. Lepoivre. Phytopathologie: bases moléculaires et biologiques des pathosystèmes et fondements des stratégie de lutte. Prima edizione. De Boeck & Laciers s.a., Editions De Boeck Université, Bruxelles, 2003.

Teaching methods

General and specific topics related to diagnosis of plant disease (symptomatology, etiology, plant sampling, etc.) are discussed during the teaching activity. A prevalent part of the teaching course includes training: i) in laboratories, equipped with all the necessary facilities to perform modern analytical assays; ii) visits to farms. The main objective of this practical activity is to give students a sufficient background for a systematic approach to a correct diagnosis of infectious diseases. These activities are planned in such a way as to provide students with a knowledge suitable to solve the problems outlined during lectures.

Assessment methods

Final oral exam.

Teaching tools

Computer and projector, symptomatic/symptomless plant materials, laboratories for didactic and research activities.

Office hours

See the website of Assunta Bertaccini