08236 - Elements of Plant Pathology

Academic Year 2011/2012

  • Docente: Lucietta Betti
  • Credits: 4
  • SSD: AGR/12
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biological Sciences (cod. 8012)

Learning outcomes

Acquiring the elementary notions of the main plant diseases caused by viruses, viroids, phytoplasms, bacteria and fungi; learning how pathogens attack plants and how plants defend themselves against pathogens.

Course contents

The concept of disease and physiopathological bases. General features of plant pathogens (viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas, bacteria, protozoa, straminipila, fungi, nematodes, parasitic higher plants). Comparative pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Plant defence mechanisms, biochemical and genetic bases of resistance to pathogens and transgenic plants. Diagnosis and control of plant disease. Environmental factors that cause plant diseases. 

Readings/Bibliography

Belli G., 2007. Elementi di patologia vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova, 407 pp.
Agrios G.N., 2005. Plant pathology. Academic press, San Diego, California, 922 pp.

Teaching methods

32 hours of theoretical lessons.

Assessment methods

Oral examination consisting of a question chosen by the student and two other questions concerning the program. The chosen topic can be presented in powerpoint and this option will be positively considered.

Teaching tools

Multimedia material used during the lessons will be available to students.

Office hours

See the website of Lucietta Betti