Students are expected to actively participate both during the course of the lectures and during the laboratory activities. In addition, students will be asked to prepare a report on a monographic topic, chosen in agreement with the lecturer, to be presented in the course of the lectures after preparing a power point. This will enable students to acquire a series of knowledge relating to the following aspects: a) carrying out bibliographic research by consulting articles and websites on the chosen topic, taking care to select the most reliable bibliographic sources; b) preparing a report on the basis of a well-drawn outline; c) preparing a power point by choosing suitable images and structuring the slides appropriately; d) presenting in public by answering the lecturer's questions and respecting the presentation time.
INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGEMENT
At the end of the course, the student will be able to deal independently with issues related to the topics covered in the course as he/she will have acquired a method of study and research and possible strategies for solving them. The communication skills they have honed will enable them to deal productively with the world of work.
The teaching will be organised in classroom lectures (42h) and laboratory exercises (14h) as well as educational visits to companies in different sectors of the agri-food industry organised ad hoc during the semester in question.
If the course is taught in an online learning mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to comply with the Syllabus.
As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, according to their educational objectives and specific needs.
You can also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) contact person in our department, Professors Giovanna Tropea Garcia and Anna De Angelis.
PREREQUISITES REQUIRED
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
Basic knowledge of microbiology, plant biology, general chemistry are important for understanding the teaching content.
LESSON ATTENDANCE
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
Strongly recommended. Attendance at the lectures is not compulsory for taking the examination, but it is advisable to contact the lecturer for updates on the course of the lectures.
COURSE PROGRAMMING
The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools for the diagnosis of the main biotic, abiotic and mycotoxin contaminations that alter the quality and quantity of post-harvest and storage plants as well as the prevention and control criteria and methods applicable in post-harvest.
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
Topics Text references
1. Introduction: concept of disease; symptomatology and
classification of diseases; generalities on pathogens of
plants; disease cycle. Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer
2. Host-pathogen interaction in fungal diseases and
bacteria: mechanisms of pathogen attack,
host resistance mechanisms. Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer
3. Diagnosis of diseases: the diagnostic procedure,
traditional and molecular diagnostic methods. Text 2 Materials provided by the lecturer
4. Principles of post-harvest plant disease control:
physical means, chemical means, biological means, combat
integrated. Text 1 Materials provided by the teacher
5. Fungal diseases: main post-harvest rots
(from Botrytis, Penicillium, Aspergillus etc.). Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer
6. Bacteria diseases: main bacteria diseases in post-harvest (Solanaceae, citrus, stone fruit). Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer
7. Rot by pectolytic bacteria in vegetable crops. Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer
8. Main abiotic diseases in post-harvest. Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer
9. Mycotoxins: toxigenic fungi and their epidemiology, main mycotoxins, prevention and control of mycotoxigenic fungi, case studies. Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer
10. Methods of culture isolation of fungi and bacteria, preparation and observation of fungal preparations at the
optical microscope. Text 2 Materials provided by the lecturer
11. Traditional and molecular techniques for the identification of plant pathogens. Text 2 Materials provided by the lecturer
REFERENCE TEXTS
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
The lecturer provides the necessary material for studying the topics covered through the
STUDIUM platform or by sending directly by e-mail. The student may consult any text in the field; the following texts are recommended for the study of the discipline:
Text 1: De Cicco V., Bertolini P., Salerno M.G. Post-harvest pathology of plant products.
Piccin Publisher, 274 pp.
Text 2: Belli G. Elements of plant pathology. Piccin Publisher, 475 pp.
Notes and monographs provided by the lecturer
OTHER TEACHING MATERIALS
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
The teaching material will be made available to the students, establishing from time to time the modalities of delivery, preferring the STUDIUM platform.
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction: concept of disease; symptomatology and classification of diseases; generalities on pathogens of plants; disease cycle | Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer |
2 | Host-pathogen interaction in fungal diseases and bacteria: mechanisms of pathogen attack, host resistance mechanisms | Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer |
3 | Diagnosis of diseases: the diagnostic procedure, traditional and molecular diagnostic methods | Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer |
4 | Principles of post-harvest plant disease control: physical means, chemical means, biological means, combat integrated. | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
5 | Fungal diseases: main post-harvest rots (from Botrytis, Penicillium, Aspergillus etc.). | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
6 | Bacteria diseases: main bacteria diseases in post-harvest (Solanaceae, citrus, stone fruit). | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
7 | Rot by pectolytic bacteria in vegetable crops. | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
8 | Main abiotic diseases in post-harvest. | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
9 | Mycotoxins: toxigenic fungi and their epidemiology, main mycotoxins, prevention and control of mycotoxigenic fungi, case studies | Text 1 Material provided by the lecturer |
10 | Methods of culture isolation of fungi and bacteria, preparation and observation of fungal preparations at the optical microscope. | Text 2 Material provided by the lecturer |
11 | Traditional and molecular techniques for the identification of plant pathogens. | Text 2 Materials provided by the lecturer |
VERIFICATION OF LEARNING
WAYS OF VERIFYING LEARNING
The examination consists of a written test and an individual oral interview and involves testing the ability to reason and link the knowledge acquired in the various disciplines. If it is deemed appropriate, a test will be proposed at the end of each lesson to check the lecturer's ability to convey the information during the lesson and to fill in any gaps accordingly. In addition, students will be asked to elaborate on a monographic topic that will be covered in a specific report and presented in the classroom in the form of a ppt.
Assessment elements will be the relevance of the answers to the questions asked, the quality of the content, the ability to link with other topics covered in the syllabus, the ability to give examples, the technical language property and the student's overall expressive ability.
Verification of learning may also be carried out electronically, should conditions require it.
The vote follows the following pattern:
Unsuitable
Subject knowledge and understanding: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalisations. Inability to synthesise
Use of references: Completely inappropriate
18-20
Subject knowledge and understanding: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections
Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Barely sufficient capacity
Use of references: Barely appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: Routine knowledge Ability to analyse and synthesise: Is able to analyse and synthesise correctly. Argues logically and coherently
Use of references: Use standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. Arguments are coherently expressed
Use of references: Use standard references
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: More than good knowledge
Ability to analyse and synthesise: Has considerable ability to analyse and synthesise
Use of references: Deepened topics
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: Excellent knowledge
Ability to analyse and synthesise: Has considerable analytical and synthesis skills.
Use of references: Important insights.
EXAMPLES OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND/OR EXERCISES
POST-HARVEST PATHOLOGY OF PLANT PRODUCTS
1) State the main differences between plant diseases of biotic/abiotic aetiology
2) Explain the different diagnostic methods that can be used to recognise the aetiology of a disease
of post-harvest plants
3) List the possibilities of chemical control of plant pathogens that can be used in the post-harvest period
4) Expose the main post-harvest plant diseases (e.g. wine, citrus
etc.).
5) Analysing health and hygiene risks related to the marketing/consumption of plants
contaminated with mycotoxins.