Plant Pathology

Historical perspective on the evolution of knowledgein plant pathology and socio-economic impact ofplant diseases. Basics Host-pathogen-environment interaction and classification of diseases on the physio-pathological criterion (epiphytic, trophic, necrotic, lithic, auxonic, vascular and xylochereutic). Biotic agents of disease: flowering plants, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas: general characteristics of each group, description of the infection process, development, reproduction and forms of survival. The weapons of pathogens: enzymes and toxins. The defense mechanisms of the plant: innate immunity, systemic acquired resistance and its induction with synthetic and natural compounds. Overview of the epidemiology of diseases. Disease control: agronomical techniques and general information on inorganic and organic pesticides. The abiotic factors causing diseases: air pollutants, heavy metals in soil and physiological disorders (temperatures extreme drought, salinity, anoxia). Description of specific diseases. Symptomatology, epidemiology and control of the main groups of diseases (powdery mildews, rusts, downy mildews, cankers, rost, witherings, phytoplasmas, viruses). Tutorials, Field visits and collection of samples for macro and microscopic examinations aimed at the diagnosis; microscopic examination of histological samples of plant tissues infected with different pathogens; infection of plants with systemic and localized viruses; isolation of bacterial and fungal pathogens using a moist chamber and cultivation plating.