Biotechnology for Plant Protection
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide knowledges to recognize the main plant diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses, as well as to recognize the main damage caused by phytophagous insects. Furthermore, the student will be able to critically manage phytopathogens and insects, with particular reference to the use of innovative methods.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to learn about the main plant diseases and their etiological agents, the main damage caused by phytophagous insects, the characteristics of the Orders to which they belong, as well as the main methods for their containment. These results will be acquired through lectures and exercises conducted both in the classroom and in the laboratory. Furthermore, with the knowledge learned, the student will be able to recognize and deal with untreated diseases during the course and the damage caused by the action of insects. The student will demonstrate the achievement of results in an oral test that will enable him to communicate what he has learned.
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lecturer P. Casati 4 CFU. Concept of disease and classification of diseases according to different criteria. Disease etiology. Bacteria: principal characteristics, classification and modes of infection, diagnosis. Viruses: principal characteristics, classification and modes of infection, diagnosis. Fungi: principal characteristics, classification and modes of infection, diagnosis. Plant-pathogen interaction and defense mechanisms.
Control of pathogens: agronomical practices, synthetic pesticides, biotechnological methods (resistant plants, genetically-modificed plants, genome editing CRISPR/Cas9, use of dsRNA), biological control in agriculture, and examples of fungi, bacteria, and viruses as biocontrol agents.
Examples of plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
1 CFU of practical lessons in laboratory and greenhouse.
Lecturer D. Lupi 4 CFU. The phylum of Arthropods and the class of Insects.
External morphology of insect. Head and mouthparts. Thorax. Abdomen.
Circulatory system. Muscular system. Digestive system. Respiratory system. Excretory system. Nervous system and sensilla. Reproductive system and reproduction. Endocrine glands. External secretion glands. Intra- and interspecific communication systems.
Postembryonic development. Relationships between insects and other animals: symbiosis, antagonism, predation and parasitism.
General information on the defense. Integrated Pest Management. Thresholds. Monitoring devices. Main classes of insecticides and mechanisms of action. Microbiological control. Bacillus thuringiensis: applications and mode of action. Spinosad.
Biological control. Biotechnical control. Use of pheromones. Technique of the male sterile. Resistant plants: antixenosys, antibiosis, tolerance. Transgenic plants.
Characteristics of the main insect orders.
1 CFU of practical lessons in laboratory.
Control of pathogens: agronomical practices, synthetic pesticides, biotechnological methods (resistant plants, genetically-modificed plants, genome editing CRISPR/Cas9, use of dsRNA), biological control in agriculture, and examples of fungi, bacteria, and viruses as biocontrol agents.
Examples of plant diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
1 CFU of practical lessons in laboratory and greenhouse.
Lecturer D. Lupi 4 CFU. The phylum of Arthropods and the class of Insects.
External morphology of insect. Head and mouthparts. Thorax. Abdomen.
Circulatory system. Muscular system. Digestive system. Respiratory system. Excretory system. Nervous system and sensilla. Reproductive system and reproduction. Endocrine glands. External secretion glands. Intra- and interspecific communication systems.
Postembryonic development. Relationships between insects and other animals: symbiosis, antagonism, predation and parasitism.
General information on the defense. Integrated Pest Management. Thresholds. Monitoring devices. Main classes of insecticides and mechanisms of action. Microbiological control. Bacillus thuringiensis: applications and mode of action. Spinosad.
Biological control. Biotechnical control. Use of pheromones. Technique of the male sterile. Resistant plants: antixenosys, antibiosis, tolerance. Transgenic plants.
Characteristics of the main insect orders.
1 CFU of practical lessons in laboratory.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of Biology, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry and Plant Physiology, Microbiology and Genetics
Teaching methods
Lectures, for a total of 4CFU for each module (Entomology and Pathology), will be held in classroom
Practical lectures, for a total of 1 CFU for each module, will be held in the lab or greenhouse.
Practical lectures, for a total of 1 CFU for each module, will be held in the lab or greenhouse.
Teaching Resources
Beside all the material at disposition on Platform ariel, students are invited to study on the volume
Lineamenti di Entomologia, 2006. P.J. Gullan, P.S. Cranston, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Gli insetti e il loro controllo, a cura di F. Pennacchio, Liguori Editore, Napoli.
G. Belli et al. - Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale; Piccin Editore.
G.N. Agrios - Plant Pathology; Academic Press. Scientific article available in Ariel https://www.eppo.int,
Lineamenti di Entomologia, 2006. P.J. Gullan, P.S. Cranston, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Gli insetti e il loro controllo, a cura di F. Pennacchio, Liguori Editore, Napoli.
G. Belli et al. - Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale; Piccin Editore.
G.N. Agrios - Plant Pathology; Academic Press. Scientific article available in Ariel https://www.eppo.int,
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be carried out orally, in presence.
The exam will:
- ascertain the fulfillment of the goals related to knowledge and comprehension ability;
- ascertain the use of proper language and lexicon, and the ability to clearly expose the subject.
The exam for the Pathology module will include 3 questions: one on the general part of the program, one on a specific disease, and one on the laboratory activities carried out in the practical lessons. The duration of the exam will be of approximately 30 minutes.
The exam for the Entomology module will include 3 questions on the general part of the program and pest containment."
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
The exam will:
- ascertain the fulfillment of the goals related to knowledge and comprehension ability;
- ascertain the use of proper language and lexicon, and the ability to clearly expose the subject.
The exam for the Pathology module will include 3 questions: one on the general part of the program, one on a specific disease, and one on the laboratory activities carried out in the practical lessons. The duration of the exam will be of approximately 30 minutes.
The exam for the Entomology module will include 3 questions on the general part of the program and pest containment."
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 5
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 5
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 5
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Professors:
Casati Paola, Lupi Daniela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment throug e.mail
in my office/online