96983 - Diseases of Ornamental Plants

Learning outcomes

After teaching the student acquires basic knowledge on the biology and epidemiology of infectious diseases (from fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasmas) and abiotic of ornamentals, and is therefore able to assess the dangers depending on the presence and spread within production and use. In addition to symptom-based visual recognition, the student possesses sufficient knowledge on prophylaxis to be taken to prevent the emergence and spread in addition to recognition as well as the current overall phytosanitary defense regarding various aspects (technical, legal, organizational, toxicological). After teaching the student is therefore able to relate critically to the current needs of the ornamental plant protection.

Course contents

A) Prerequisites:

The student who accesses this teaching is in possession of a good preparation in the fundamentals of plant physiology and the plant cell and constitution of its operation. Such knowledge and skills are acquired during the teachings laid down in the first and second year.

B) Teaching units

1) General part (total unit No. 1: 6 hours)

Aim of the course - Definition and tasks of Plant Pathology in the field of Ornamental plants - Definition of disease, disease agents, impact of plant diseases on the community: economic, social and hygienic-sanitary aspects - Peculiarities of the ornamental sector. Disease and relationships between organisms, symptoms and parasitism.

Knowledge acquired in Teaching Unit 1.

- Knowledge on the basics of plant pathology and diseases.

- Knowledge on the relationships between the plant, the pathogen and the environment.

- Knowledge on the generality of the floricultural-ornamental market at national and international level (globalization) in relation to diseases.

2) Biotic Diseases (total unit No. 2: 16 hours)

2.1 Cycle of a biotic disease, phases that lead to the development of a biotic disease, stages of development of a biotic disease

2.2 Fungal diseases: general information, parasitism and saprophytism, structures of the fungus, sexual and asexual reproduction, environment, transmission. Classification and characteristics of the main fungi and oomycetes and their biological cycle. Ascomycetes (powdery mildew, scab, grey mould, Dutch elm disease); Basidiomycetes (root rot, wood decay agents); Zygomycetes and oomycetes.

2.3 Bacterial diseases: general information, taxonomy, diffusion and transmission; control. Main bacterial diseases of ornamental plants.

2.4 Phytoplasma diseases: general information, taxonomy; relationships with the plant host, symptomatology, diagnosis, prophylaxis. Main phytoplasma diseases of ornamental plants.

2.5 Viral diseases: definition of virus, morphology, taxonomy, virus-plant relationships, symptomatic aspects, diagnosis, transmission and diffusion, prophylaxis. Main viral diseases on herbaceous and shrubby species.

2.6 Plant-pathogen interaction and main defense mechanisms

Knowledge acquired in unit 2:

· Knowledge of the main infectious diseases

· Knowledge of the epidemiological aspects of individual pathogens

· Knowledge of the severity of infectious and non-infectious diseases

3) Disease Control (total unit No. 3: 16 hours)

3.1 Plant protection and international, national and regional organizations for plant protection. Plant health legislation and the Italian phytosanitary organization

3.2 Methods of plant defense from harmful organisms, with particular attention to ornamental plants:

a. general aspects of plant defense with agrochemicals, fundamental aspects of toxicology with agrochemicals, labels of agrochemicals

b. general aspects of plant defense with biocontrol agents, applications and modes of action

Knowledge gained in unit 3:

• Knowledge of the overall framework of the issue of the control of plants from adversity

• Knowledge of characteristics of natural defences and synthesis, including undesirable side aspects

• Knowledge, in particular, strategies for defending against the major diseases of ornamental plants

4) Pratical activities and guided visits (Total didactic unit N.4: 12 hours)

In addition to the lectures in the classroom, practical exercises are carried out in the green house of Plesso Scarabelli in Imola and in the Lolli laboratories, and an educational visit is also planned.

The exercises make use of the support of Dr. Lisa Cavicchi, technician who works in the university greenhouses of Imola and at the Lolli Laboratories. As part of the greenhouse exercises (for a total of 4 hours), symptomatic plant samples are examined visually for (visual) disease recognition and mechanical transmission tests are performed on the test plants.

- Practical exercises are carried out in the laboratories aimed at the isolation and identification of fungal pathogens from symptomatic samples (for a total of 4 hours).

Failure to participate in the exercises (in the greenhouse and in the laboratory) does not preclude passing the exam.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended texts:

- PATOLOGIA VEGETALE (Edises edizioni, Napoli, 2021) (G. Vannacci)

- AVVERSITA' DELLE PIANTE ORNAMENTALI: VIROSI E FITOPLASMOSI (Ed. l'Informatore Agrario, Verona, 1998) (M.G.Bellardi-A.Bertaccini)

- MALATTIE E PARASSITI DELLE PIANTE DA FIORE, ORNAMENTALI E FORESTALI (Vol 1 e 2) (Ferrari, Menta, Marcon, Montermini) Edagricole, 1999.

- MALATTIE DELLE PIANTE ORNAMENTALI (A. Garibaldi, M. L. Gullino, Ed. Calderini-Edagricole, 2000)

- PRINCIPI DI FITOIATRIA (G. Lorenzini, C. Nali; Il Sole 24 ore Edagricole, 2012)

Teaching methods

1) Front: a theory that is based on the projection of pictures of diseases in order to train the student to the detection and identification of symptoms on the plants. In this way you can discuss and deal with many current issues, health issues of particular interest to the producers of the flower industry-ornamental.

2) Exercises: the student actively participates in greenhouse and laboratory activities. This part of the teaching will also have the objective of verifying learning skills as well as the ability to criticize and evaluate individual diseases in view of targeted interventions (preventive and/or phytoiatric).

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills imparted this teaching are assessed through the following modes:-"oral exam": it is an oral interview on three units that cannot be split into separate verification moments between them. The oral interview in fact wants to estimate the learning capacity and methodological criticism but also gained by the student. In particular, will be assessed the student's ability to "move" in the context of plant pathology and defence industries, as well as the achievement of a comprehensive vision of the themes discussed in class together to hold a fair mastery of expression indicating an adequate knowledge of the language (i.e., terminology of plant pathology, such as "name" of symptoms).

Teaching tools

PC, video projector, publications, seminars

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Prodi