To train the student on the physiological and molecular mechanisms that underlie the processes of interaction between plants and plant pathogens and the environment to provide the scientific basis for planning biotechnological interventions for the study of interactions and crop protection.
The course aims to stimulate the student's interest on the main morphological, biological and physiological characteristics of arthropods. The student will be able to use this basic knowledge to fully understand how biotechnologies can be applied to protect agricultural and food productions from harmful arthropods, to the study of arthropod-plant-micro-organism relationships, to investigations on environment, biodiversity, human and animal health, as well as to the choice of eco-compatible control strategies of infestations.
Frontal lecture 42 hours. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.
The course is carried out through 42 hours of lectures (in class or remote). If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.
Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD: To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.
Fundamentals of plant pathology: introduction to plant pathology, abiotic and biotic plant pathogens (fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses), diseases development, elements of epidemiology, mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction, mechanisms of action of pathogens, mechanisms of plant resistance, principles of defense against diseases. Case studies.
Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects
1. General characteristics of insects and their applied interest.
2. External morphology: head, thorax, abdomen and their appendages.
3. Elements of anatomy and physiology of insects: tegumental system; nervous system; sensory system; digestive system; respiratory system; circulatory system; excretory system; secretory system; reproductive system; postembryonic development; physiology of metamorphosis.
Means and methods of control of insects
1. Agronomic or cultural means.
2. Physical and mechanical means.
3. Biological control: entomophagous and entomopathogenic; classical biological control techniques; microbiological control; biotechnologies.
4. Chemical control: insecticides and their mode of action; commercial formulations and active ingredients; secondary effects of antiparasitic treatments.
5. Principles of supervised and integrated control.
Notions of entomological systematics and knowledge of the main orders of Insects
Collembola
Blattodea
Orthoptera
Thysanoptera
Hemiptera
Lepidoptera
Diptera
Coleoptera
Hymenoptera
Overview of other Arthropods of economic importance
1. Mites: systematic classification, morphology, anatomy and biology; damage and economic importance; control methods.
1. Matta A., Buonaurio R., Favaron F., Scala A., Scala F. 2017. Fondamenti di patologia vegetale (2aedizione), 490 pp. Patron editore ISBN 9788855533829
1. BACCETTI B., BARBAGALLO S., SÜSS L. & TREMBLAY E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma.
2. TREMBLAY E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, voll. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli.
All the slides projected in class, as well as additional didactic notes and eventual bibliographic material for further information, will be provided by the teacher through the "Studium" web platform.