Plant Diseases
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to - provide knowledge on the insects, how they develop, the damage they can cause to crops in the mountain environment and forests, - learn the techniques of environmental management in a perspective of sustainable development - provide the fundamental knowledge on the different pathogenic agents, how they attack the plants and the kind of alterations and damages that can induce in the hosts. It also deal with the fundamental principles necessary to set up the modern methods of prevention and pest control especially on diseases connected with natural environments and cultures typical of mountain habitats.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected outcomes are: - to know the dynamics and issues related to the arthropods present in a forest environment or correlated to crops in mountain habitats, - to recognize the different agents that can damage cultivated and spontaneous plants, to weigh their dangerousness and to propose preventive measures and criteria of pest control that can be adopted by different kind of agriculture managements preserving natural environments and human health and biodiversity.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
GENERAL PART -Introduction to the study of insects.-Systematic position of insects. Differences between Insects and other Arthropods. General characteristics of insects. Morphology of the head. Parts of the head, antennae and mouthparts. -Morphology of the thorax; wings; legs.-Morphology of the abdomen. Integument and its structure. Exoskeleton. Endoskeleton.-Muscle and locomotion system.-Digestive System. Constitution and structure of the digestive tract. Physiology of digestion. Diets.-Respiratory system. Constitution and structure of tracheal system. Physiology of respiration.-Circulatory system. Constitution and structure of circulatory system. Hemolymph. Physiology of circulation.-Nervous system. - Sense organs. - Excretory system. - Secretory system. Glands of external and internal secretion- Pheromones. Reproductive system. Reproduction. Post-embryonic development. Mute. Metamorphosis. CROP PROTECTION - INTEGRATED DEFENSE- Population dynamics. Concept of agro-ecosystem.-Biodiversity. Mechanical management. Biological control. Biotechnical management. Insecticides and their mechanisms of action. Integrated pest management. Morphological and biological characteristics of the main Orders of insects and Families which include species of agricultural and forestry interest. The characteristics and management of the main species of harmful insects in the forest and some agricultural crops such as vines, apple trees, small fruits will be illustrated.
The course teaches the students what causes plant diseases, how they develop and spread. It covers the biology, epidemiology, ecological and economic importance, diagnosis and management of the most commonly occurring diseases giving students concepts of diseases connected with natural environments and cultures typical of mountain habitats. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental concepts associated with plant pathology. Lectures regard the following subjects:
The concept of disease in plants, classification of plant diseases, importance of plant diseases in crop production. (0.25 CFU)
General information on phytopathogens such as phytoviruses and phytoplasmas. As regards those relating to bacteria and fungi, since these topics are included in the programs of other compulsory courses of the Study Course, previous knowledge is referred to the knowledge of their general characteristics while in this course the aspects necessary to understand their relationship will be underlined. with the host plants, the diffusion in the environment, the establishment of the disease, and the influence of the defense actions on the diseases. (0.75 credits).
Parasitism and the different stages in the development of diseases. Plant disease epidemiology: the element of an epidemic; structure, development and patterns of epidemics; - Plant diseases caused by viruses and phytoplasmas: grapevine yellows and Flavescence doree - Plant diseases caused by bacteria: crown gall; bacterial cankers (Erwinia spp.); fireblight of rosaceous hosts. - Root diseases caused by fungi: Phytophthora foot, crown and trunk rots; Root and butt rot caused by Armillaria spp. and Heterobasidion annosum. - Vascular wilts, stem rot, stem and twig cankers: Dutch elm disease, various twigs cankers, wood rot and decays caused by basidiomycetes. - Foliar diseases: powdery mildews, downy mildews: general aspects and grapevine diseases - Gray mold - Rusts: the disease cycle and the relationships between host and pathogen (with deepening of a species of your choice of the student) (3 CFU).
Principles of plant disease control: control methods that exclude, eradicate or reduce the pathogen inoculum; direct protection of plants from pathogens by chemical and biological control. Lectures concern important diseases affecting important plant species characteristic of mountain agriculture and Woods (1.5 CFU).
Environmental factors that cause plant diseases: temperature, soil moisture, soil structure, light, air and soil pollutants, and wounds (0.25 CFU).
The course teaches the students what causes plant diseases, how they develop and spread. It covers the biology, epidemiology, ecological and economic importance, diagnosis and management of the most commonly occurring diseases giving students concepts of diseases connected with natural environments and cultures typical of mountain habitats. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental concepts associated with plant pathology. Lectures regard the following subjects:
The concept of disease in plants, classification of plant diseases, importance of plant diseases in crop production. (0.25 CFU)
General information on phytopathogens such as phytoviruses and phytoplasmas. As regards those relating to bacteria and fungi, since these topics are included in the programs of other compulsory courses of the Study Course, previous knowledge is referred to the knowledge of their general characteristics while in this course the aspects necessary to understand their relationship will be underlined. with the host plants, the diffusion in the environment, the establishment of the disease, and the influence of the defense actions on the diseases. (0.75 credits).
Parasitism and the different stages in the development of diseases. Plant disease epidemiology: the element of an epidemic; structure, development and patterns of epidemics; - Plant diseases caused by viruses and phytoplasmas: grapevine yellows and Flavescence doree - Plant diseases caused by bacteria: crown gall; bacterial cankers (Erwinia spp.); fireblight of rosaceous hosts. - Root diseases caused by fungi: Phytophthora foot, crown and trunk rots; Root and butt rot caused by Armillaria spp. and Heterobasidion annosum. - Vascular wilts, stem rot, stem and twig cankers: Dutch elm disease, various twigs cankers, wood rot and decays caused by basidiomycetes. - Foliar diseases: powdery mildews, downy mildews: general aspects and grapevine diseases - Gray mold - Rusts: the disease cycle and the relationships between host and pathogen (with deepening of a species of your choice of the student) (3 CFU).
Principles of plant disease control: control methods that exclude, eradicate or reduce the pathogen inoculum; direct protection of plants from pathogens by chemical and biological control. Lectures concern important diseases affecting important plant species characteristic of mountain agriculture and Woods (1.5 CFU).
Environmental factors that cause plant diseases: temperature, soil moisture, soil structure, light, air and soil pollutants, and wounds (0.25 CFU).
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to have knowledge of the systematic anatomy and physiology of plants; microbiology, knowledge of agronomic techniques and management of the main herbaceous and arboreal species, with reference to mountain agriculture.
Teaching methods
Lectures and classroom exercises will be held. The classroom exercises will be structured in order to illustrate phytopathological situations taken from case studies; to observe images and samples useful for the identification of pathogens and insect pests to facilitate the learning and application of theoretical concepts to production realities.
Teaching Resources
The reference sources for studying the topics in the program are listed below.
For the entomological arguments:
AA. VV. Manuale di Zoologia agraria. Antonio Delfino Editore.
Colazza et al., Lineamenti di entomologia in agricoltura biologica, UniPA Press
A. Battisti et al. Lineamenti di zoologia forestale. Padova University Press.
Aldo Pollini, Manuale di entomologia applicata Edagricole Bologna
Images http://www.forestryimages.org http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm
Material available on the ARIEL website
For the plant pathological arguments:
1) Vannacci G. - Plant Pathology, EdiSes University, Naples, 2021
or alternatively:
2) Belli G. - Plant Pathology, Piccin, Padua, 2012;
In the course ARIEL website, the slides used during the lessons and some documents on a few specific topics not covered by the two guide books indicated above are made available to students.
For the entomological arguments:
AA. VV. Manuale di Zoologia agraria. Antonio Delfino Editore.
Colazza et al., Lineamenti di entomologia in agricoltura biologica, UniPA Press
A. Battisti et al. Lineamenti di zoologia forestale. Padova University Press.
Aldo Pollini, Manuale di entomologia applicata Edagricole Bologna
Images http://www.forestryimages.org http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm
Material available on the ARIEL website
For the plant pathological arguments:
1) Vannacci G. - Plant Pathology, EdiSes University, Naples, 2021
or alternatively:
2) Belli G. - Plant Pathology, Piccin, Padua, 2012;
In the course ARIEL website, the slides used during the lessons and some documents on a few specific topics not covered by the two guide books indicated above are made available to students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test and can be carried out on different dates for each of the two modules.
For each individual module the interview on the topics in the program will be based on 2-3 questions, aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the teaching objectives. During the examination, descriptions or comments of images or diagrams related to the individual topics in the program may be requested. The exam will be passed reporting the sufficiency in both modules and the mark for each module contributes 50% to the formation of the final grade of the integrated exam.
During the year, various exam sessions are proposed during the periods set by the didactic regulation. The dates of the exam sessions are regularly and officially published, in the times and in the manner prescribed by the regulations, on the SIFA web pages.
As a rule, monthly appeals are scheduled at the Edolo headquarters. In the event that students enrolled in the appeal are less than 5, the appeal will take place at the headquarters of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, via Celoria 2, Milan and notice of this will be given in time.
Students enrolled in an exam session and who no longer wish to support it are required to unsubscribe and possibly promptly notify the teacher in the case of registration already closed.
DSA students - In order to take advantage of the facilities provided, must communicate their situation to the Unimi Disabled Office https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-disability-and-sld-services. Furthermore, it is suggested to discuss with the lecturer during the frequency or during the preparation of the exam in order to have useful suggestions; in any case it is mandatory to communicate that the intention is to use the compensatory / dispensatory tools with adequate advance (at least 10 days) to the teacher to agree on the examination procedures, which remain the responsibility of the same.
For each individual module the interview on the topics in the program will be based on 2-3 questions, aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the teaching objectives. During the examination, descriptions or comments of images or diagrams related to the individual topics in the program may be requested. The exam will be passed reporting the sufficiency in both modules and the mark for each module contributes 50% to the formation of the final grade of the integrated exam.
During the year, various exam sessions are proposed during the periods set by the didactic regulation. The dates of the exam sessions are regularly and officially published, in the times and in the manner prescribed by the regulations, on the SIFA web pages.
As a rule, monthly appeals are scheduled at the Edolo headquarters. In the event that students enrolled in the appeal are less than 5, the appeal will take place at the headquarters of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, via Celoria 2, Milan and notice of this will be given in time.
Students enrolled in an exam session and who no longer wish to support it are required to unsubscribe and possibly promptly notify the teacher in the case of registration already closed.
DSA students - In order to take advantage of the facilities provided, must communicate their situation to the Unimi Disabled Office https://www.unimi.it/en/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-disability-and-sld-services. Furthermore, it is suggested to discuss with the lecturer during the frequency or during the preparation of the exam in order to have useful suggestions; in any case it is mandatory to communicate that the intention is to use the compensatory / dispensatory tools with adequate advance (at least 10 days) to the teacher to agree on the examination procedures, which remain the responsibility of the same.
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Saracchi Marco, Savoldelli Sara
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
it is received by appointment
Via Celoria 2, Building 21030