MYCOLOGY IN PLANT PATHOLOGY AND PLANT VIROLOGY

Module PLANT VIROLOGY

The course will be delivered through lectures (21 hours) aimed at providing students with fundamental knowledge, together with classroom-based activities including discussions, debates, and seminars (42 hours) designed to develop synthesis skills and communication abilities.

Should the course be delivered in blended or distance-learning mode, the necessary adjustments may be introduced in order to ensure compliance with the planned syllabus.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in accordance with current legislation, students may request a personal meeting to arrange any compensatory and/or exemptive measures, in line with the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) representative of our Department.

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. 

-General knowledge on virus and virus-like pathogens.

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

-Symptomatology

-Principal methods of diagnosis 

-Methods of loss prevention and containment. 

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 

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:

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies

Ability to analyse and synthesise: Irrelevant. Frequent generalisations. Inability to summarise

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 the subject matter: Routine Knowledge 

Ability to analyse and synthesise: Is able to analyse and synthesise correctly. Argues logically and coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis abilities: Has good analysis and synthesis abilities. Arguments are expressed coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Knowledge more than good

Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Has considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has deepened the arguments

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Very good knowledge

Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Has considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Has significant in-depth knowledge.

Characteristics of plant viruses

Disease cycle of plant viruses

Management of plant viruses