- Docente: Marina Collina
- Credits: 7
- SSD: AGR/12
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Marina Collina (Modulo 1) Marta Mari (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies (cod. 8530)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know the principles of control of infectious plant diseases and of their practical management. In particular he acquires the knowledge of resistance mechanism of plants to pathogens and, besides to know the different control means, will be able to apply control strategies both in integrated agricultural systems (IPM) and organic agriculture.
Course contents
A) Prerequisites
The student must know the basics of plant pathology as well the biology and epidemiology of the most important pathogens in central northern Italy.
B) Teaching units
1. Overview of plant disease control (total teaching unit: 10 hours)
- Outline of organisation and regulations concerning the crop protection from biotic noxious agents
- Modern evolution of disease control towards sustainability
- The different patterns of disease control (on seed, soil, plant).
2. Plant resistance to diseases (total teaching unit: 20 hours)
- Interactions host plant/pathogen
- Resistance mechanisms: passive, active
- Genetic basis of the resistance: the gene-for-gene theory (Flor); hypersensitive reaction (HR);
- Sistemic acquired resistance (SAR) and localized
acquired resistance (LAR). Natural and
synthetic resistance inducers
- Genetic improvement of plants for disease resistance.
3. Control means of plant diseases (total teaching unit: 12 hours)
- The different means for control of biotic plant diseases: cultural, physical, biological, chemical
- Biological and chemical means: discovery, development and registration, modes of action, resistance of pathogens, technical characterization.
4. Disease control strategies on main crops (total teaching unit: 18 hours)
- Integrated control programs on main diseases of main crops of northern-central Italy: grapevine, pome-fruits, stone-fruits, kiwi, olive-tree, wheat, sugar-beet, tomato, potato, cucurbits
5. Practical activity (total teaching unit: 10 hours)
- practical exercises on fungicides: study techniques of their activity on pathogens
- visit to research centers for genetic improvement and for agrochemicals.
Readings/Bibliography
Fundamental will be notes and slides from the lessons, also available on the web site.
For further information the following books are recommended:
- Belli G., 2012, Elementi di Patologia vegetale, Piccin
- Agrios G., 2005. Plant pathology, Elsevier
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures, practical exercises and visits to specialized facilities
The course is divided in two modules: teaching unit 1, 2, 5 (Marta Mari), teaching units 3, 4 (Marina Collina)
Assessment methods
Final oral examination.
Teaching tools
PC and projector for class lectures, biology laboratory for exercises.
Office hours
See the website of Marina Collina
See the website of Marta Mari