BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT PATHOGENS

Academic Year 2020/2021 - 2° Year - Curriculum Tecnologie fitosanitarie
Teaching Staff: Gabriella Cirvilleri
Credit Value: 6
Scientific field: AGR/12 - Plant pathology
Course Language: Italian
Taught classes: 28 hours
Exercise: 28 hours
Term / Semester:

Learning Objectives

The course aims to increase the knowledge regarding the biological control of plant pathogens in pre- and post- harvest environments. Particular attention will be paid to the selection strategies of the antagonists, their mode of action and potential applications to major crops and vegetables for the containment of the most significant pathogens in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere and in post-harvest. At the end of the course the student will be able to plan and propose appropriate biological control strategies for the different pre- and post-harvest horticultural contexts.


Course Structure

The course is carried out through lectures (28 hours) and exercises in the classroom, in the laboratory and technical visits in the field (28 hours). Discussions on case studies are also planned. If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.

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


Detailed Course Content

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1. Strategies of integrated and biological control.

2. Microbial antagonists, isolation and selection modes, action mechanisms

3. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

4. Antagonistic fungi and Trichoderma spp.

5. Antagonistic yeasts and post-harvest biological control

6. Systemic resistance and resistance inducers

7. Bioformulations based on antagonistic fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and substances of natural origin

8. Models of biological control against pre- and post- harvest diseases of fruits and vegetables


Textbook Information

  1. Agrios G.N. (2005). Plant pathology, 5° ed., Elsevier Academic Press, S. Diego, U.S.A.

  2. Battilani P. (a cura di) (2016). Difesa sostenibile delle colture. Edagricole

  3. Biavati B., Sorlini C. (a cura di) (2012). Microbiologia agroambientale. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

  4. De Cicco V., Bertolini P., Salerno M.G. (2009). Patologia postraccolta dei prodotti vegetali, Piccin Editori

  5. Iaccarino M. (2006 (a cura di) Microrganismi benefici per le piante. Idelson-Gnocchi

  6. Matta A., Buonaurio R., Favaron F., Scala A., Scala F. (2017). Fondamenti di patologia vegetale. Patron Editore

  7. Sellitto V.M. (a cura di) (2020). I microrganismi utili in agricoltura. Edagricole