ID:
500819
Duration (hours):
52
CFU:
6
SSD:
PATOLOGIA VEGETALE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 30/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Plant Pathology Module
Aim of this module is to provide the students with an advanced knowledge on the main topics of plant pathology based on the most recent acquisitions available in the scientific literature. Each topic is discussed starting from a general overview in order to get a solid maethod to analyze phenomena; subsequently, the special part focuses on selected, world-scale relevant diseases and syndromes.
The following learning results are expected:
- to get an analytic method for the preliminary diagnosis;
- to get the basics of plant immunology functional to the comprehension of the plant reactions and to project intervention strategies with special focus on sustainable ones;
- to get an advanced knowledge on some selected pathogens life cycle and disease cycles;
- to get an advanced knowledge on detection and diagnostics methods and techniques;
- to get a method to critically analyze the multifactor syndromes, with special focus on some selected examples.
Entomology Module
To provide basic knowledge on insects, with a focus on agricultural pests. Analyzing pest control systems, including the use of insecticides, biological and genetic control.
Aim of this module is to provide the students with an advanced knowledge on the main topics of plant pathology based on the most recent acquisitions available in the scientific literature. Each topic is discussed starting from a general overview in order to get a solid maethod to analyze phenomena; subsequently, the special part focuses on selected, world-scale relevant diseases and syndromes.
The following learning results are expected:
- to get an analytic method for the preliminary diagnosis;
- to get the basics of plant immunology functional to the comprehension of the plant reactions and to project intervention strategies with special focus on sustainable ones;
- to get an advanced knowledge on some selected pathogens life cycle and disease cycles;
- to get an advanced knowledge on detection and diagnostics methods and techniques;
- to get a method to critically analyze the multifactor syndromes, with special focus on some selected examples.
Entomology Module
To provide basic knowledge on insects, with a focus on agricultural pests. Analyzing pest control systems, including the use of insecticides, biological and genetic control.
Course Prerequisites
Plant Pathology Module
Essential knowledge of general botany, systematic botany, plant physiology, pure chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, mycology, general ecology.
Basic knowledge of plant pathology with particular concern to: biotic vs abiotic pathogenic factors; strategies and structures of penetration and assimilation in pathogens; general lexicon of diseases symptoms.
Entomology Module
Basic knowledge of zoology and genetics.
Essential knowledge of general botany, systematic botany, plant physiology, pure chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, mycology, general ecology.
Basic knowledge of plant pathology with particular concern to: biotic vs abiotic pathogenic factors; strategies and structures of penetration and assimilation in pathogens; general lexicon of diseases symptoms.
Entomology Module
Basic knowledge of zoology and genetics.
Teaching Methods
Plant Pathology Module
Frontal lesson: 3 UFC; laboratory lessons: 1 UFC.
The frontal lessons almost exclusively rely on Power Point presentations; the latter also provide the essential notes to support the laboratory lessons. All the presentations are available in pdf on the KIRO platform for online learning. All the materials for thorough and optional study (selected papers from literature, pictures, etc.) are available here as well. The students are strongly recommended to study the figures illustrating the life cycles/disease cycles of the selected pathogens/diseases which are mandatory for the final examination.
The laboratory lessons are focused on the examination of selected pathogens by naked eye, stereomicroscope and optical microscope. The laboratory lessons aim to show as many pathogens and symptomps as possible, compatibly with the seasonal availability and the possibility of conservation/reproduction in lab conditions.
The students are strongly reccomended to attend the class as both concerns frontal and laboratory lessons.
Entomology Module
Lectures: 2 CFU. Use of Power Point presentations.
Frontal lesson: 3 UFC; laboratory lessons: 1 UFC.
The frontal lessons almost exclusively rely on Power Point presentations; the latter also provide the essential notes to support the laboratory lessons. All the presentations are available in pdf on the KIRO platform for online learning. All the materials for thorough and optional study (selected papers from literature, pictures, etc.) are available here as well. The students are strongly recommended to study the figures illustrating the life cycles/disease cycles of the selected pathogens/diseases which are mandatory for the final examination.
The laboratory lessons are focused on the examination of selected pathogens by naked eye, stereomicroscope and optical microscope. The laboratory lessons aim to show as many pathogens and symptomps as possible, compatibly with the seasonal availability and the possibility of conservation/reproduction in lab conditions.
The students are strongly reccomended to attend the class as both concerns frontal and laboratory lessons.
Entomology Module
Lectures: 2 CFU. Use of Power Point presentations.
Assessment Methods
Both Plant Pathology and Entomology modules will be examined within the same written test.
Open-ended, written questionnaire. Besides questions on the different topics dealt with in the lessons, the questionnaire always include the description of a life cycle/disease cycle based on a blank illustration from a selection available to students. Entomology part consists of one open-ended question about any topic dealt within the course.
Please watch the test fac-simile provided on the e-learning platform and Drive folder.
Open-ended, written questionnaire. Besides questions on the different topics dealt with in the lessons, the questionnaire always include the description of a life cycle/disease cycle based on a blank illustration from a selection available to students. Entomology part consists of one open-ended question about any topic dealt within the course.
Please watch the test fac-simile provided on the e-learning platform and Drive folder.
Texts
Plant Pathology Module
- Belli G. (ed.). Elementi di Patologia Vegetale II edizione, 2011, Piccin editore. [in Italian].
- Agrios G. Plant Pathology 5th edition, 2004, Elsevier.
- Schumann G.L., D’Arcy C.J. Essential Plant Pathology, II edition, 2009, APS.
Entomology Module
Insect Vectors and Plant Pathogens by NS Butter;
- Belli G. (ed.). Elementi di Patologia Vegetale II edizione, 2011, Piccin editore. [in Italian].
- Agrios G. Plant Pathology 5th edition, 2004, Elsevier.
- Schumann G.L., D’Arcy C.J. Essential Plant Pathology, II edition, 2009, APS.
Entomology Module
Insect Vectors and Plant Pathogens by NS Butter;
Contents
Plant Pathology Module
Host-pathogen and host-symbiont interactions; structural defense system, induced defense system and activation; mediated and systemic response.
Virus and viral diseases: virus spreading and transmission, major examples of viral diseases, methods for survey and diagnostics.
Bacteria and phytoplasma: reminders of biology and systematics; spreading and transmission; major examples of diseases and vectors of the pathogen; methods for survey and diagnostics.
Oomycetes: reminders of biology and systematics; special focus on Peronosporales diseases; methods for survey and molecular markers for diagnostics.
Fungi: reminders of biology and systematics; special focus on powdery mildews, rusts, smuts, necrotoxycoses, vascular wilts, wood rot, soft rot; methods for survey and diagnostics.
Multifactor diseases: esca disease of grapevine; oak decline syndrome; pathogen interaction in Rosaceae.
How the microbiome inside plants affects defense and response to the pathogens: opportunism and endophytism.
Entomology Module
Generalities on insects: anatomy, physiology and systematics. Insect-plant interactions. Focus on agricultural pests. Control systems: SIT, insecticides, parasitoids, baculoviruses, Wolbachia, Bti.
Host-pathogen and host-symbiont interactions; structural defense system, induced defense system and activation; mediated and systemic response.
Virus and viral diseases: virus spreading and transmission, major examples of viral diseases, methods for survey and diagnostics.
Bacteria and phytoplasma: reminders of biology and systematics; spreading and transmission; major examples of diseases and vectors of the pathogen; methods for survey and diagnostics.
Oomycetes: reminders of biology and systematics; special focus on Peronosporales diseases; methods for survey and molecular markers for diagnostics.
Fungi: reminders of biology and systematics; special focus on powdery mildews, rusts, smuts, necrotoxycoses, vascular wilts, wood rot, soft rot; methods for survey and diagnostics.
Multifactor diseases: esca disease of grapevine; oak decline syndrome; pathogen interaction in Rosaceae.
How the microbiome inside plants affects defense and response to the pathogens: opportunism and endophytism.
Entomology Module
Generalities on insects: anatomy, physiology and systematics. Insect-plant interactions. Focus on agricultural pests. Control systems: SIT, insecticides, parasitoids, baculoviruses, Wolbachia, Bti.
Course Language
ENGLISH
More information
Categories included in Annex A for Inclusive Teaching can require extraordinary exam calls. mp4 recordings are available to all the students.
I am available by appointment to clarify contents and/or for methodology suggestions in your study.
I am available by appointment to clarify contents and/or for methodology suggestions in your study.
Degrees
Degrees
AGRI-FOOD SUSTAINABILITY
Master’s Degree
2 years
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People
People (2)
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