BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT PATHOGENS

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.

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.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline.
It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

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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

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