PLANT PROTECTION

Academic Year 2018/2019 - 3° Year - Curriculum Pianificazione del paesaggio

Learning Objectives

• Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology

  Provide the basic knowledge on the causes of biotic and abiotic diseases of plants used for ornamental purposes, landscaping , and green areas .The student will gain, further, diagnostic skills and a basic understanding of the criteria for the correct approach to managment of the control strategies for the sustainability of the natural and man-made environments.

• Applied Entomology and parasitology

  The course aims to provide notions about the animal pests to the plants (of agricultural, ornamental and forest interest) with special reference to insects, nematodes, mites, and rodents; moreover, the course provides basic concepts about their rational control methods

Course Structure

• Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology

  Frontal theoretical lectures will be held using the Powerpoint support. Specific sites will be consulted favoring interaction with the student. Practical-theoretical exercises will be carried out in the laboratory and in the field to promote students' learning and increase their practical knowledge on the main plant pathogens.

• Applied Entomology and parasitology

  The didactic objectives will be achieved through lectures, conducted with the aid of computer-based teaching schemes, and laboratory trainings. The laboratory activities focus on topics covered in theoretical lessons and on the analysis of case studies. In addition, technical field visits of multidisciplinary interest will be organized.

Detailed Course Content

• Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology

  General concepts of Plant pathology; Main agents of plants diseases and their interactions with plants for the environment. Major diseases of ornamental plants and Mediterranean scrub. The concept and types of diagnosis:traditional, immunological and molecular techniques. Principles of plant disease control; Principles of plant health legislation. Forest ecosystem and urban forest concept; urban environment peculiarities. Peculiarities and aspects of nursery cultivation. Study of the main diseases of ornamental and forest plants. Laboratory: recognition of symptoms of major diseases of ornamental and forest plants. Preparation and observation of optical microscopy preparations and observation of phytopathological samples, under a stereomicroscope; Recognition, under an optical microscope, of reproductive structures of the main plant pathogens; Isolation methods of some causative agents responsible for serious diseases of the forest and ornamental sectors and their morphological and molecular characterization.

  Field trips:in-depth analysis of cases study. Monographic seminars on topics, related to the program, held by experts in the field. Reference databases, reference texts and scientific periodical consultation, phytopathological websites.

• Applied Entomology and parasitology

  Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects

  1. General characteristics of insects and their applied interest.
  2. Morphology: head, thorax, abdomen, and their appendages.
  3. Anatomy and physiology: exoskeleton system; nervous system; sensory system; digestive system; respiratory system; circulatory system; excretory system; secretory system; reproductive system; post-embryonic development; physiology of metamorphosis.

  Biological behaviour and relationships with the environment (insect ecology)

  1. Specific and group events: dimorphism and polymorphism; aggregation and society; biological cycles; biotic potential and environment; population epidemiology; biological balances; spread of the species.
  2. Harmfulness of insects: direct and indirect damages; transmission of pathogens; action thresholds.

  Control methods of insect pests

  1. Cultural practices; habitat management.
  2. physical and mechanical methods.
  3. biological control: entomophagous arthropods and entomopathogenic species; biological control methods; microbial and genetic control.
  4. chemical control: insecticides and their modes of action; commercial formulations and active ingredients; side effects of pesticide applications.
  5. Principles of integrated pest management.

  Systematics, biology and recognition; damage and economic importance; methods of control of the main groups of insect pests

  Elements of plant parasitology; systematics, biology and recognition; damage and economic importance; control methods of the main groups of:

  1. nematodes
  2. mites
  3. rodents

Textbook Information

• Ornamental and Forest Plant Pathology

  1) Belli G. -.2006. Elementi di Patologia Vegetale (seconda edizione, 2012), Editore Piccin, Padova

  2) George N. Agrios – Plant Pathology – Academic. Press. Inc., San Diego, California (VI edizione).

  3) Alberto Panconesi, Salvatore Moricca, Alessandro Ragazzi. Parassiti delle piante arboree forestali ed ornamentali. Specie introdotte e di temuta introduzione. Patron editore, 2014

  4) P. Capretti e A Ragazzi- Elementi di Patologia Forestale – Patron Editore Bologna

  5) A.Garibaldi, M.L.Gullino, V.Lisa- Malattie delle piante ornamentali- Calderini Edagricole

  6) F.Moriondo – Introduzione alla patologia forestale- seconda edizione. Utet, Torino

  7) N. Anselmi, G. Govi , 1996, “Patologia del Legno”, Edagricole, Bologna

• Applied Entomology and parasitology
  1. BACCETTI B., BARBAGALLO S., SÜSS L., TREMBLAY E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma [ISBN 88-728722227].
  2. FERRARI M., MARCON E., MENTA A., MONTERMINI A. 2003. Malattie e parassiti delle piante da fiore, ornamentali e forestali, 2 volumi. Edagricole Ed. [ISBN 978-88-506-4550-3].
  3. PENNACCHIO F. (a cura di). AA.VV. 2014. Gli insetti e il loro controllo, Liguori Editore, Napoli [ISBN 8820753510]
  4. TREMBLAY E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, voll. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli;