79459 - Integrated Plant Disease Management

Learning outcomes

The course emphasizes the importance and need of the integrated management of plant diseases within the integrated pest management approach, with the least possible disruption to the agro-ecosystemsand the least hazard to people, animals, and environment. The course will enable the students: to acquaint with the principles of an integrated approach to plant disease management; to become familiar with the basic principles involving fungal, bacterial, phytoplasma and viral based diseases in plants; to acquire knowledge of the environmental factors influencing plant diseases, to gain an understanding of the influence of plant pathogens in crop-ecology finalized in rationalise disease control; to know the most successful plant protection strategies by physical, genetic, cultural, chemical and biological means; to gain knowledge of the use of predictive models.

Course contents

Prerequisites

The general knowledge on the aspect of Plant Pathology (general features of major pathogens, Fungi, Bacteria, Phytoplasma, Viruses; general aspects of the interaction with the hosts and pathogen life style) will be refreshed.

The following topics will be developed:

Topic 1 – Biotechnologies for endogenous defense approach. The exploitation of resistance and susceptibility genes in the most advanced biotechnologies applied to defense. The most successful case studies and their application.

Future prospects and notes on European regulation.

Topic 2 – Biotechnologies for exogenous defense approach.

Strategies based on interfering RNA. Development and applications, from target identification to application in the field. The necessary steps and cases of success and failure.

1. The use of peptides. Types of peptides, their identification and application.

2. The use of nano- or pico- bodies. Discovery and application possibilities.

3. Control of fungal pathogens based on mycoviruses.

Future prospects and notes on European regulation

Topic 3. Biological control: the use of antagonistic microrganisms and other active ingredients admitted.

Laboratory experience – Application of interfering RNA technology to crop protection. Development of dsRNA molecules in the laboratory and applications for plant defense against gray mold from Botrytis cinerea.

Readings/Bibliography

he material made available in Virtual will be fundamental.

It is also recommended to consult parts of the following texts:
-Vannacci G., Bianco P.A., Bonanomi G., Brunelli A., Gonthier P., Lorito M., Polizzi G., Rossi V., Sarocco S., Scortichini M., 2021 – Plant Pathology. EdiSES University
-edited by: Butturini A. and Galassi T., 2014 - Phytosanitary defense in integrated production. Edagricole
Reverberi M., Ruocco M., Covarelli L., Sella L., 2022 – Molecular Plant Pathology. Piccin Editore

Teaching methods

The course will be developed as classroom lessons, and as laboratory experience for some particular topic.

Specific topics can be developed as invited speaker seminar.

The active participation of students to the lessons is stimulated by volonteer critical reading of scientific articles linked to the course, with possible evaluation for the final exam.

Assessment methods

Quiz with multiple anwers

Teaching tools

Powerpoint lessons in the classroom will be made available in pdf format on the VIRTUAL UINBO platform.

Any communications will be made through the VIRTUAL and/or ALMAESAMI UNIBO platforms

Office hours

See the website of Elena Baraldi