502391 - PLANT PATHOLOGY

courses

ID:

502391

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

PATOLOGIA VEGETALE

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

The course aims to provide students with the required knowledge and skills to recognize the most common diseases of cultivated and wild plants through in-depth knowledge of the biological cycles of pathogens, of the host-parasite relationships and of the pathogen’s nutritional needs.

Course Prerequisites

For a proper understanding of the topics of the Plant Pathology course, basic knowledge in plant biology, botany, mycology and plant physiology is desired. At Pavia University students acquire these prerequisites during the first year of the course (General Botany), the second year of course (Systematic botany, in which one part is dedicated to mycology) and the third year, first semester (Plant Physiology).

Teaching Methods

Lectures (48 hours) also aimed in involving students through specialized seminars on topical issues, symptom analysis, diseased specimens analysis supported both with direct observation and visual aids.

Assessment Methods

The plant pathology examination is oral and is foreseen for all students after the end of the course lessons. The exam provides three or four questions on different topics dealt with during the lessons. The final grade is awarded on the basis of the degree of preparation of the student, his critical skills and his ability to make connections between different topics.

Texts

Slides shown during the lessons; scientific papers and review articles from the international literature
Recommended books:

Recommended books:
Belli Giuseppe - Elementi di patologia vegetale - Seconda edizione - Editore: Piccin-Nuova Libraria.
George N. Agrios - Plant Pathology, Fifth Edition – Academic Press
Essential Plant Pathology, Second Edition - By Gail L. Schumann and Cleora J. D’Arcy
Patologia vegetale molecolare - by Reverberi M. (ed.), Ruocco M., Covarelli L., Sella L. - editore: Piccin

The course will focus on the following items:
Importance of plant disease. Concept of disease; disease triangle; effect of environmental conditions on pathogen and host; host susceptibility; virulence and specialization of the pathogen. Classification of Plant Diseases. Biotic and abiotic diseases. Development of plant diseases. Transmission of pathogens; host plant/pathogen relationships. Symptoms. Infectious diseases. Viruses and viroids. Bacteria and phytoplasmas. Oomycete (Cromista): basic features, mode of infection. Fungi: basic features, classification, mode of infection, diagnosis, mycotoxin production. Introduction to Aerobiology. Elements of epidemiology. Fungal endophytes. Plant disease management and control.

Course Language

Italian

More information

Categories included in Annex A for Inclusive Teaching can require the access to mp4 class recordings. According to the legislation, the same categories may require to perform written examination instead of oral and may ask for additional time. Extraordinary exam calls may be required as well.
I am available by appointment to clarify contents and/or for methodology suggestions in your study.