93962 - Precise and Conservative Plant Diseas Management

Learning outcomes

At course completion, the student possesses knowledge on: the principles of environmental sustainability of integrated and biological defense against plant pathogens; technological and scientific innovation useful to prevent, monitor and control crop pathogens; the application of the most suitable solutions to protect crops from biotic stress in open fields and in controlled environments. In particular, the student possesses the skills to: organize a specific plant health protection plan for each crop, based on environmental and economic sustainability; quantify the results of applied control measures, and vary the adopted solutions and parameters in order to optimize their effects; recognize the strengths and limitations of scientific and technological applications that research offers the agronomist, in order to make the most of his/her potential and provide realistic data for their improvement.

Course contents

The course provides an overview of modern approaches to plant disease management, with particular emphasis on sustainable and precision crop protection strategies. It introduces the biology and epidemiology of plant pathogens and discusses the transition from traditional disease control to integrated disease management, including the economic, epidemiological and ecological principles underlying decision-making in crop protection.
The course examines the application of genomics and molecular biotechnology to plant pathology, including genetic improvement for disease resistance, RNA interference technologies, genome editing, transient expression systems, and molecular approaches for pathogen detection and research. Particular attention is devoted to modern diagnostic techniques, highlighting their applications in disease diagnosis and surveillance.
The principles and applications of biological plant disease management are presented, including microbial biological control agents, biopesticides, natural compounds, suppressive soils, biofumigation, biosolarization and integrated biological strategies for reducing pesticide use while promoting environmentally sustainable crop protection.
The course also covers recent advances in precision plant pathology, focusing on optical and imaging sensors, RGB, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, thermal and fluorescence sensing, machine learning approaches for disease detection, and digital technologies supporting precision agriculture and decision-making.
Finally, emerging biotechnological approaches are discussed through dedicated seminars, including the use of viruses for the biological control of plant pathogens and insect pests, RNA-based crop protection technologies, and innovative smart technologies for sustainable plant disease management.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides will be provided during the course.

Plant Pathology, Fifth Edition - George N Agrios – Academic Press - 2004

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical and practical lectures in the classroom, laboratory, glasshouses or experimental field.

Assessment methods

The examination is oral and will contain a series of questions to ascertain the student's theoretical knowledge of the issues presented in the course.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office as early as possible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will assess individual needs and propose any appropriate accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval. The instructor will evaluate their suitability, taking into account the learning objectives of the course.

With regard to assessment, limited, declared, and non-substantial use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permitted for support activities (e.g. summarisation and rephrasing). Substantial use of generative AI to complete any part of the assessment is not permitted.

Teaching tools

Video projector, PCs, laboratories equipped with the most modern instruments for phyto-pathological diagnosis.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Ratti