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 (36 HOURS)

1. GENERAL ASPECTS OF PLANT PATHOLOGY (6 HOURS)

Introduction to plant pathology: general concepts of plant pathology, economic importance of plant diseases, infection cycle, pathogens, conservation and dissemination of pathogens, epidemiology, anthropic action in the spread of diseases, pathogens management at international and national level.

How pathogens attach plants: mechanical and chemical actions of pathogens on plant cells: production of enzymes, toxins and growth regulators, pathogens effects on plant physiological functions: cellular respiration, photosynthesis, transport of substances in conductive tissues, membrane permeability.

Pathogenic plant resistance mechanisms: Passive, structural and chemical defenses, active or inducible defenses, host-pathogenic recognition and bases of genetic resistance, gene silencing. Induced resistance, systemic resistance, resistance inductors.

2. VIRUSES, PHYTOPATHOGEN PROCARES AND OTHER GRAPE DISEASES GRAFT-TRANSMISSIBLE (8 HOURS)

Generalities on phytoviruses, viral and viral-like vascular diseases: Structure, genome expression, replication, translocation in the plant, mode of transmission, natural vectors, disease managment. Major viruses and viral-like diseases (fanleaf, leafroll, rugose wood, fleck, pinot gris disease, graft incompatibility, necrosis and mosaic of veins). Natural transmission and management methods.

Phytopathogenetic procariotes of grape: Structure of phytoplasmas, localization in plant tissues, symptoms, natural diffusion, prevention and management of flavescence doree and bois noir.

Phytopathogenic vascular bacteria: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, vein necrosis, vain mosaic, black vase of the vine, Pierce's disease (Xylella fastidiosa).

Viroids of grape: The biological structure of the viroids, transmission and management of viroids, the major viroids of grape.

3. DIAGNOSIS OF VIRUS, VIROID AND PHYTOPLASM (4 + 16 HOURS OF EXERCISE)

Biological Diagnosis: In vitro isolation on substrate. Woody and herbaceous plant indicators.

Serological diagnosis: Immunoenzymatic methods: ELISA, ISEM, Lateral Flow Diagnosis.

Molecular Diagnosis: Molecular Hybridization, Gel and Membrane Electrophoresis, PCR, Real-Time PCR, LAMP, Digital PCR, Next generation sequencing (NGS)

Diagnosis (trainings): During these hours students will be able to experience the various methods of serological and molecular diagnosis explained during frontal lessons. The use of biological diagnostics will be investigated during the visit to the motherboard plant maintenance and to the thermotherapy cell. trainings will be held at the CAV headquarters in Tebano (laboratories and greenhouses).

4. MAIN ALTERATIONS DUE TO NUTRITIONAL DEFICINECY (2 HOURS)

Major alterations due to deficiencies in grape: Generalities on deficiencies, iron chlorosis, and drying of the rachis.

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.

MODULE 3 (14 HOURS)

1. PROTECTION OF GRAPE - GENERALITY (6 HOURS)

General overview of plant pathogens and protection: Technical peculiarities and current defense orientations

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

Evolution of Plant Protection: From the calendar defense to integrated and biological production

List of recent European plant protection legislation (authorization and use): Selection and approval of means for platn protection, Directive 91/414, Regulation 1107/2009, Harmonization of residues of agricultural products, Regulation 396/2005, Rationalization and optimization of intervention strategies, Directive 128/2009: Sustainable use of agricultural products, Directive 127/2009: Apparatus for the application of agro-chemicals.

2. PROTECTION OF GRAPE - AGROCHEMICAL (4 HOURS)

Aspects of toxicology of agrochemicals: Danger and risk, substance toxicity assessment, risk assessment for the consumer, operator and environment

Contents and Importance of agrochemicals Labels: Technical Characteristics of Agrochemicals and Labeling (Current and Future Legislation on this subject).

Formulations of agrochemicals: Active substance, adjuvants and co-formulants. The types of formulations available on the market (features, advantages, disadvantages)

3. PROTECTION OF GRAPE - APPLICATION (4 HOURS)

Grape defense programs from major fungal pathogens will be addressed: Powdery mildew (Plasmopara viticola), powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator), botrytis (Botryotinia fuckeliana), Esca disease, Black rot, phomopsis.

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