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.

1. Strategies of integrated and biological control.

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

3. Antagonistic bacteria and “Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria”

4. Antagonistic fungi and Trichoderma spp.

5. Antagonistic yeasts and post-harvest biological control

6. Bioformulations based on antagonistic fungi, bacteria, and yeast and substances of natural origin

7. Models of biological control against pre- and post- harvest diseases of fruits, vegetables and forest plants.

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

2) Pandey A., Mukerji K.G.(Eds.) 2006. Biological Control of Plant Diseases ( 9781560223276)

3) Copping L.G. (Ed.) 2011. The manual of biocontrol agents: a world compendium. 4th Edition. BCPC Publ. (British Crop Production Council (978-1-901396-17-1)

4) Ciancio A., Mukerij K.G. (Eds). 2008. Integrated management of diseases caused by fungi, Phytoplasma and bacteria. (978-4020-8570-3)