MYCOLOGY IN PLANT PATHOLOGY AND PLANT VIROLOGY

Module PLANT VIROLOGY

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of Plant Virology useful for the detection/diagnosis, prediction, prevention and complex management of diseases caused by virus and virus-like agents that affect the quality and quantity of plants.

The course will consist of lectures (21 hours) to provide students with foundational knowledge, along with supplementary activities such as laboratory exercises, case study discussions, in-depth analysis of scientific material, and educational visits to companies in the agri-food sector to develop students’ ability to apply their foundational knowledge (42 hours).

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Knowledge of Plant Pathology (essential), General Botany (important) and Systematics (useful).

The Course aims to provide and deepen the general and basic knowledge of Plant Virology and virus-like diseases. The specific deepening of the characteristics of these pathogens will be aimed at studying the implications on pathogenetic processes and epidemiology, diagnosis, management and damage containment. Within the case studies will be treated the most important diseases from viruses and virus-like agents, with particular reference to phytosanitary emergencies and pathogens at risk of introduction, and the legislative frameworks related to prevention and phytosanitary management. The course contributes to the pursuit of the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through specific workshops on sustainable management of virus diseases.

-General knowledge on virus and virus-like pathogens.

-Specific mechanisms of colonization, movement, pathogenesis, transmission, epidemiology.

-Semeiotics

-Principal methods of diagnosis 

-Methods of loss prevention and containment. Phytosanitary legislation.

-Specific case studies for the main crops

For the study of the discipline, with particular reference to the basic topics, the following texts are recommended:

1) G. Belli. Elementi di Patologia vegetale, Piccin.

2) L. Bos. Plant viruses, unique and intriguing pathogens, Backhuys Publishers Leiden 

3) Reverberi et al. patologia vegetale molecolare. Piccin

4) AA.VV. I principali virus delle piante ortive. Edagricole. 

Exercise protocols are provided during class. This also includes copies of the PowerPoint presentations given during lectures and seminars, as well as scientific articles and other instructional materials provided by the lecturer, including any links and/or popular science articles for further reading.

The evaluation of learning takes place by means of an oral interview. The assessment of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: the student's ability to learn and the level of in-depth study of the topics covered, the student's ability to synthesise and expound, and the student's reasoning ability.

The grading follows the following scheme:

Voto/Grade	Italiano	English
Non idoneo	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: significative carenze e imprecisioni Capacità di analisi e sintesi: irrilevanti, frequenti generalizzazioni Utilizzo di referenze: completamente inappropriato	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations Use of references: completely inappropriate
18-20	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: molto modesto, imperfezioni evidenti Capacità di analisi e sintesi: appena sufficienti Utilizzo di referenze: appena appropriato	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate Use of references: just appropriate
21-23	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza poco più che sufficiente Capacità di analisi e sintesi: discreta capacità di analisi e sintesi, argomenta in modo logico e coerente Utilizzo di referenze: utilizza le referenze standard	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner Using references: use standard references
24-26	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza buona Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha buone capacità di analisi e di sintesi buone, gli argomenti sono esposti coerentemente Utilizzo di referenze: utilizza le referenze standard	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently Using references: use of standard references
27-29	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza più che buona Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha notevoli capacità di analisi e di sintesi Utilizzo di referenze: ha approfondito gli argomenti	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth
30-30 e lode	Conoscenza e comprensione argomento: conoscenza ottima Capacità di analisi e sintesi: ha notevoli capacità di analisi e di sintesi Utilizzo di referenze: significativi approfondimenti	Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: important insights

 

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).