65817 - Grapevine Pathology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows and is able to examine the epidemiological symptoms, the biological cycle and the diagnosis of the main diseases of grape, in order to set correct protection procedures. He works critically and with autonomy of judgment.

Course contents

MODULE 1 (50 HOURS)

1. GRAPEVINE PATHOLOGY - GENERAL ASPECTS (6 hours)

Plant protection at the international, national and regional level. Concept of quarantine organism and phytosanitary certification.

2. GRAPEVINE DISEASES - VIRUSES, VIROIDS AND PHYTOPLASMS (14 hours)

Generalities on phytoviruses, virus and virus-like diseases of the grapevine: structure, genomic expression, replication, translocation into the plant, mode of transmission, natural vectors, methods of defense. Main viruses and virus-like diseases (curling, curling, curly wood, infectious mottling, pinot grigio virosis, grafting disaffinity, enations, necrosis and mosaic of the veins). Natural transmission and disease management.

Phytopathogenic prokaryotes of the grapevine: Structure of phytoplasmas, localization in plant tissues, symptoms, methods of natural diffusion, prevention and fight against the Flavescence doree and Bois noir diseases.

Viroids of the grapevine: Structure and biological peculiarities of viroids, transmission and management, the main viroids of the grapevine.

3. DISEASES OF THE GRAPEVINE - DIAGNOSIS (20 hours)

How to diagnose viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas (4 hours)

Notes on biological and serological diagnosis

Molecular diagnosis: Molecular hybridization, gel and membrane electrophoresis, hot and cold molecular probes, PCR, Real-Time PCR, LAMP, Digital PCR. Mass sequencing (NGS)

Practices (16 hours): During these hours the students will be able to experiment the various methodologies of serological and molecular diagnosis explained during the lectures. The use of biological diagnostics will be explored during the visit to the mother plant maintenance greenhouse and the thermotherapy cell. The practices will be carried out at the CAV headquarters in Tebano (laboratories and greenhouses).

Compatibly with the weather conditions, inspections will be carried out in the vineyards of the Tebano site to identify and recognize symptoms of a phytopathological nature.

4. DISEASE MANGEMENT - GENERAL (6 hours)

General overview of plant adversities and defense: The technical peculiarities and current defense guidelines

The means available for the protection of plants from diseases: Legislative, agronomic, physical, genetic, biological and chemical means.

Evolution of phytosanitary defense: From the calendar fight to integrated and organic production

Notes on recent European regulations in the phytosanitary field (authorization and use): Selection and approval of means of control, Directive 91/414, Regulation 1107/2009, Harmonization of pesticide residues, Regulation 396/2005, Rationalization and optimization of disease management strategies , Directive 128/2009: sustainable use of crop protection products, Directive 127/2009: machinery for the application of crop protection products.

5. DISEASE MANGEMENT - AGROPHARMACY (4 hours)

Toxicological aspects of agrochemicals: The hazards and risk, evaluation of the toxicity of a substance, evaluation of the risk for the consumer, operator and environment

Contents and importance of agrochemicals labels: The technical characteristics of agrochemicals and the understanding of the label (current and future legislation on the subject).

Notes on agrochemicals formulations: The active substance, adjuvants and co-formulants. The types of formulations available on the market (characteristics, advantages, disadvantages)

MODULE 2 (30 HOURS)

1. IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL FUNGAL DISEASES (3 HOURS)

Students will know the cause and importance of fungal diseases as well as the reasons behind the increase in fungal diseases that have occurred over the past 40 years. The main physiopathies and the main methods to manage fungal diseases will be covered.

2. GENERAL INFORMATION ON FUNGI (MORPHOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY (6 HOURS)

The biology, the general and reproductive characteristics of oomycetes, vigomycetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and mitosporical fungi. Nutritional needs of fungi (saprophytic, parasitic and symbiotic fungi, ectoparasiticism and endoparasitism, monophgia, polyphagia, optional parasitism, compulsive parasitism, Monocyclic and polycyclic fungi))

3. GENERAL INFORMATION ON DISEASES (6 HOURS)

The characteristics and forms of disease (appearance and incubation times), the infection process (initial contact, penetration, colonization, evasion) will be treated, the main symptomatic expressions of the diagnostic methods (visual examination, molecular methods and Koch’s postulates), mechanisms for resistance to pathogens (passive, structural and chemical defenses, active defenses) and the recognition of pathogens (elicitation, systemic resistance).

4. SPECIFIC DISEASES (15 HOURS)

The symptoms and damage produced by anthracnose, powdery mildew, radical rot, gray mold or botrytis, downy mildew, tracheomycosis, acid rot and black rot and fungi producing ochratoxins will be described.

Readings/Bibliography

Saracco C., Le malattie della vite. Calderini Edagricole, 2001.

Elementi di Patologia Vegetale - G. Belli - Piccin Editore, 2011.

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

Presentations used during the course will be available in PDF format.

Teaching methods

During the course, the general issues related to the diagnosis of a grape disease in relation to the symptomatology showed by the plant and to the technological or biological supports available to identify the disease etiology, will be discussed. The pathogen identification, coupled with biological knowledge, will be the basis for identifying the right strategies for prevention and / or protection of the plant. The course will be complemented by practical laboratory trainings designed to simulate the diagnostic procedures in use in the most modern phyto-pathological research laboratories and to show the various issues that may occur during a diagnostic procedure.

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. Specifically, 3-4 questions will be asked about the biological cycle of the pathogens considered, the diagnosis of the major diseases, the ways of spreading the disease in close connection with the correct procedures for plant protection.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Ratti

See the website of Carlo Poggi Pollini