PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Point out five types of learning outcomes that students will have to demonstrate that they have

acquired in order to achieve the title corresponding to the level of the Course. These learning

outcomes are:

1. Knowledge and understanding (At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he or she is able to understand different topics studied during the course. Must also be able to evaluate and interpret experimental and literature data).

2. Applying knowledge and understanding (At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he or she is able to identify and suggest the most effective methods for plant disease control. Must also be able to evaluate and interpret experimental and literature data).

3. Making judgements (At the end of the course, the student must show that he or she is able to make reasoned interpretative judgements based on the knowledge acquired about research activities extrapolated from scientific publications).

4. Communication skills (At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he or she can choose and use appropriate technical terminology, adapting his or her oral and written forms of communication to the required level and specific purposes; The student must also demonstrate that he or she can analyse and synthesise a scientific publication and present an article to colleagues). 

5. Learning skills (At the end of the course, the student must be able to keep his knowledge and skills up-to-date, capturing the fundamental aspects of the course relevant for his professional context, in a legally, ethically and scientifically correct framework)

21 hours of frontal lessons and 42 hours of practical exercises like debates and other activities in classroom and in lab/field.

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.

Fundamentals of Plant Pathology 

Strongly recommended although not mandatory.

1. Basic concepts of plant diseases management:
- Diseases features.
- Control strategy: principles and tactics

2. Agronomic practices to control plant diseases: 
- Sanitation
- Crop rotation
- irrigation

3. Physical and genetic methods:
- Solarization

4. Chemical control: 
- Fungicides features
- Fungicides classification according their mode of action (MOA)

5. Fungicide resistance.

7. Practical activities

Contribution of teaching to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Goal N.2

Target 2.4-By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Method: Lectures

Scientific or expository papers and pdf slides provided by the teacher 

Richard P. Oliver,  Janna L Beckerman - Fungicides in Practice. 2022. ISBN : 978-1-78924-690-2. 248 pages. CABI 

Verification of learning takes place through an oral exams with questions on other topics of the program.

The evaluation of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and exposition, and the student's ability to reason.

The vote follows the following scheme:

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills

Use of references: As appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge 

Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently

Using references: Use standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently

Using references: Use standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has explored the topics

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Important insights.

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

Main control strategies
Agronomic practices
Fungicides mode of action