PLANT PROTECTION

12 CFU - 2° Semester

Teaching Staff

ANTONELLA PANE - Module Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology - AGR/12 - 6 CFU
GAETANO SISCARO - Module Applied Entomology and Parasitology - AGR/11 - 6 CFU

Learning Objectives

Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology
The course aims to provide basic knowledge on biotic and abiotic diseases of plants used for ornamental, landscaping, and green areas, with particular reference to fungi, oomycetes, bacteria and abioti stresses. At the end of the course, the student will have acquired diagnostic skills, will be able to evaluate the phytosanitary importance of the main plant disease agents and will have the basic knowledge to define eco-sustainable strategies for the containment of infections in natural and anthropogenic environments.
Applied Entomology and Parasitology
The course aims to provide knowledge on animal pests of ornamental, forestry and urban interest, with particular reference to insects, nematodes, mites, and rodents, and on rational strategies for their control. At the end of the course, students will acquire basic knowledge useful for the identification of the key animal pests injuring plants, evaluate their phytosanitary importance and they will be able to define eco-sustainable strategies for their control.

Course Structure

Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology
The didactic objectives will be achieved through frontal theoretical lectures (4CFU=28 hours) wich will be held using Powerpoint support. Specific sites will be consulted favoring interaction with students. The laboratory activities focus on topics covered in theoretical lessons.Technical field visits of multidisciplinary interest will be organizedto promote students' learning and increase their practical knowledge on the main plant pathogens.

The assessment of students' learning may also be carried out elettronically, if conditions would require.

If the teaching is given in a mixed or on-line mode, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated in order to comply with the Syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and / or DSA

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.
Applied Entomology and Parasitology
The didactic objectives will be achieved through lectures (4CFU=28 hours), conducted with the aid of computer-based teaching schemes and also laboratory trainings and technical visits will be carried out (2 CFU = 28 hours). Laboratory activities focuses on topics covered in theoretical lessons and on analysis of case studies. Technical field visits have multidisciplinary interest and aim to foster students learning and to improve their practical skills.

If teaching is given in a mixed or on-line mode, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the current syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and / or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview to plan compensatory and / or relief measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP Disability Advisory Centre of our Department advisors Professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia e Anna De Angelis.

Detailed Course Content

Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology
General concepts of Plant pathology; Main agents of plants diseases and their interactions with plants for the environment. Major diseases of ornamental plants and Mediterranean scrub. The concept and types of diagnosis Principles of plant disease control; Principles of plant health legislation. Forest ecosystem and urban forest concept; characteristics of urban environment . aspects and peculiarities and of nursery cultivation. Study of the main diseases of ornamental and forest plants. Laboratory: recognition of symptoms of major diseases of ornamental and forest plants. Recognition,of reproductive structures of the main plant pathogens; Isolation methods of some causative agents responsible for serious diseases of the forest and ornamental sectors and their morphological and molecular characterization.

Field trips. Monographic seminars on topics, related to the program, held by experts in the field. Reference databases, reference texts and scientific periodical consultation, phytopathological websites.
Applied Entomology and Parasitology
Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects: general characteristics of insects and their applied interest; morphology of head, thorax, abdomen, and their appendages; anatomy and physiology: exoskeleton system; nervous system; sensory system; digestive system; respiratory system; circulatory system; excretory system; secretory system; reproductive system; post-embryonic development; physiology of metamorphosis.

Biological behaviour and relationships with the environment (insect ecology): specific and group events: dimorphism and polymorphism; aggregation and society; life cycles; biotic potential and environment; population dynamics; biological balances; spread of the species.

Harmfulness of insects: direct and indirect damage; transmission of pathogens; control thresholds.

Control methods of insect pests: agronomic practices; habitat management; physical and mechanical methods; biological control: entomophagous arthropods and entomopathogenic species, biological control methods, microbial and genetic control; chemical control: insecticides and their modes of action; commercial formulations and active ingredients; side effects of pesticide applications; principles of integrated pest management.

Main groups of insect pests: systematics, identification and biology of the main orders and families (Isoptera; Orthoptera; Thysanoptera; Rhynchota Heteroptera and Homoptera: leafhoppers, whiteflies, psyllids, aphids and scales; Lepidoptera: leafminers, leafroller moths, armyworms, lymantriidae moths, cossid millers, pierid butterflies; Coleoptera: scarab beetles, longhorn beetles, leaf-beetles, weevils, bark beetles; Diptera: leaf-miner flies; Hymenotera: sawflies); damage and phytosanitary importance; control strategies

Elements of plant parasitology; systematics, biology and recognition; damage and phytosanitary importance; control methods of the main groups of Mites: white mites, spider mites, gall mites; Nematodes: anguinidae, pratilenchidae, heteroderidae, longidoridae and xiphinematidae; Mammals: insectivores (moles), lagomorphs (hares, rabbits) and rodents (mice, voles).

Textbook Information

Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology
1) Belli G. -.Elementi di Patologia Vegetale (seconda edizione, 2012), Editore Piccin, Padova

2) George N. Agrios – Plant Pathology – Academic. Press. Inc., San Diego, California (VI edizione).

3) Alberto Panconesi, Salvatore Moricca, Alessandro Ragazzi. Parassiti delle piante arboree forestali ed ornamentali. Specie introdotte e di temuta introduzione. Patron editore, 2014

4) P. Capretti e A Ragazzi- Elementi di Patologia Forestale – Patron Editore Bologna

5) A.Garibaldi, M.L.Gullino, V.Lisa - Malattie delle piante ornamentali- Calderini Edagricole

6) F.Moriondo – Introduzione alla patologia forestale- seconda edizione. Utet, Torino

7) N. Anselmi, G. Govi , 1996, “Patologia del Legno”, Edagricole, Bologna
Applied Entomology and Parasitology
1. TREMBLAY E., 2016. Entomologia applicata, vol. 1 Liguori Editore, Napoli; [ISBN 978-8820706814]
2. BACCETTI B., BARBAGALLO S., SÜSS L., TREMBLAY E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma [ISBN 88-728722227].
3. FERRARI M., MARCON E., MENTA A., MONTERMINI A. 2003. Malattie e parassiti delle piante da fiore, ornamentali e forestali, 2 volumi. Edagricole Ed. [ISBN 978-88-506-4550-3].

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