Plant Pathology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Learn the main attributes of plant pathogens, their
epidemiology, modes of infection, symptoms, diagnosis
and control.
epidemiology, modes of infection, symptoms, diagnosis
and control.
Expected learning outcomes
Ability to: i)identify the stressor type to which a plant is
subjected, ii) evaluate its impact on the crop iii) put in
place appropriate control measures and / or prevention
systems which, at the same time, can safeguard the
environment and the health.
subjected, ii) evaluate its impact on the crop iii) put in
place appropriate control measures and / or prevention
systems which, at the same time, can safeguard the
environment and the health.
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
1) Historical perspective on the evolution of knowledge in plant pathology and socio-economic impact of plant diseases. Host-pathogen-environment interaction and classification of diseases based on the physio-pathological criterion (epiphytic, trophic, necrotic, lithic, auxonic, vascular and diseases of plant (trunk) wood diseases. Biotic agents of disease: nematodes, flowering plants, fungi and oomycetes. General characteristics of each group, description of the infection process, development, reproduction and forms of survival. The weapons of pathogens: enzymes and toxins.
2) The defense mechanisms of the plant: innate immunity, systemic acquired resistance and its induction with synthetic and natural compounds. Overview on the epidemiology of diseases. Disease control: agronomical practices and general information on inorganic and organic pesticides. The abiotic factors causing diseases: air pollutants, heavy metals in soil and physiological disorders (extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, anoxia).
3) Description of specific diseases and case studies. Symptomatology, epidemiology and control of the main groups of diseases (powdery mildews, rusts, smuts, downy mildews, cankers, rots and witherings).
4) Diseases affecting plant development: leaf blister of peach, cereal smut and smut, bacterial tumours, ergot. Vascular diseases: tracheomycosis (tomato and potato fusarium wilt, canker stain of plane, Dutch elm disease) and tracheobacteriosis (ring rot of potato and tomato canker, Ralstonia wilt, Xylella fastidiosa.
5) Diseases affecting wood tissues: grapevine esca disease, white decay , brown, and soft rot caused by basidiomycetes. Post-harvest diseases: main fungi involved, prevention practices with particular reference to processing and storage. Mycotoxins and mycotoxicosis.
6) Diseases caused by bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses and viroids. Classification, disease cycle, epidemiology, diagnostics, prevention methods. Examples of viral, bacterial diseases of particular interest to the land and environment.
7) Diagnostics: from Koch's postulates to pathogen detection in plants and their products. Crop protection: pathogen exclusion and eradication; resistance, therapy, agronomic techniques, chemical and biological control. Chemical tools of disease control: main categories of fungicides; general characteristics and residue issues. Fungicide resistance.
8) Practical activities: microscopic examination of histological samples of plant pathogens; on field visit and survey of the plant pathogen collections in experimental greenhouse.
2) The defense mechanisms of the plant: innate immunity, systemic acquired resistance and its induction with synthetic and natural compounds. Overview on the epidemiology of diseases. Disease control: agronomical practices and general information on inorganic and organic pesticides. The abiotic factors causing diseases: air pollutants, heavy metals in soil and physiological disorders (extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, anoxia).
3) Description of specific diseases and case studies. Symptomatology, epidemiology and control of the main groups of diseases (powdery mildews, rusts, smuts, downy mildews, cankers, rots and witherings).
4) Diseases affecting plant development: leaf blister of peach, cereal smut and smut, bacterial tumours, ergot. Vascular diseases: tracheomycosis (tomato and potato fusarium wilt, canker stain of plane, Dutch elm disease) and tracheobacteriosis (ring rot of potato and tomato canker, Ralstonia wilt, Xylella fastidiosa.
5) Diseases affecting wood tissues: grapevine esca disease, white decay , brown, and soft rot caused by basidiomycetes. Post-harvest diseases: main fungi involved, prevention practices with particular reference to processing and storage. Mycotoxins and mycotoxicosis.
6) Diseases caused by bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses and viroids. Classification, disease cycle, epidemiology, diagnostics, prevention methods. Examples of viral, bacterial diseases of particular interest to the land and environment.
7) Diagnostics: from Koch's postulates to pathogen detection in plants and their products. Crop protection: pathogen exclusion and eradication; resistance, therapy, agronomic techniques, chemical and biological control. Chemical tools of disease control: main categories of fungicides; general characteristics and residue issues. Fungicide resistance.
8) Practical activities: microscopic examination of histological samples of plant pathogens; on field visit and survey of the plant pathogen collections in experimental greenhouse.
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamentals of botany, plant biochemistrey and physiology, microbiology and agronomy.
Teaching methods
Lectures, out on the field and in an experimental greenhouse.
Teaching Resources
G. Vannacci. Patologia Vegetale (EDISES). IT platform Ariel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination.
Students with DSA or disabilities are requested to contact the instructor by email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any personalized measures. In the email addressed to the instructor, it is necessary to CC the respective University Services: [email protected] (for students with DSA) or [email protected] (for students with disabilities). Please refer to the information on the following University page: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
Students with DSA or disabilities are requested to contact the instructor by email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any personalized measures. In the email addressed to the instructor, it is necessary to CC the respective University Services: [email protected] (for students with DSA) or [email protected] (for students with disabilities). Please refer to the information on the following University page: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-studenti-con-dsa
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 8
Field activity: 8 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professor:
Bianco Piero Attilio
Professor(s)