PLANT DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

The course aims to provide knowledge on traditional and innovative methods for the diagnosis and characterization of the main plant disease agents. The student will learn the different techniques of phytopathological diagnosis (isolation, biological assay, serological and molecular methods for the diagnosis and characterization and identification of plant pathogens) as well as their use in diagnostic protocols provided in relevant disciplinary and legislation on quarantine and quality pathogens. The student will have to acquire skills in the choice of the most suitable method of diagnosis for the rapid and accurate interception of pathogens in order to better target methods of prevention and control.

The teaching will be carried out through lectures (21 hours) for the acquisition of technical knowledge together with laboratory exercises, discussions of case studies as well as educational visits to companies in the food industry to develop the ability to apply technical knowledge in practice (43 hours).

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 be done remotely if necessary.

As 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.

Aims and criteria for the choice of diagnostic methods

Diagnosis on symptomatological basis vs. pathogens

Sampling techniques

Biological assay techniques

Isolation techniques

Serological diagnosis techniques and protocols

Molecular diagnostic techniques and protocols

Molecular characterization techniques of plant pathogens

Innovative diagnostic techniques

Development of diagnostic protocols

Criteria for choosing the method of diagnosis

Validated protocols, routine diagnsoi protocols, massal diagnosis protocols

National and European regulations on phytopathological diagnosis techniques and laboratories 

Diagnostic laboratory standards and accreditation 

Safety standards in diagnostic laboratories

Case studies

Teaching contributes to the pursuit of the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through specific workshops on early diagnosis for sustainable management of plant diseases.
 

The teacher will provide all necessary, also by STUDIUM platform, to study covered topics. 

- Legislative tools, validated protocols, in-depth readings and IT tools edited by
of the teacher.

- IPPC-FAO and EPPO standards related to surveillance, diagnosis techniques, sampling techniques

- IPPC-FAO standard on the management of a phytopathological diagnosis laboratory 

- Specific diagnosis protocols

The evaluation of learning takes place by means of an oral interview. The assessment of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: the student's ability to learn and the level of in-depth study of the topics covered, the student's ability to synthesise and expound, and the student's reasoning ability.

The grading follows the following scheme:

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies

Ability to analyse and synthesise: Irrelevant. Frequent generalisations. Inability to summarise

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

Subject knowledge and understanding: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Barely sufficient capacity

Use of references: Barely appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter: Routine Knowledge 

Ability to analyse and synthesise: Is able to analyse and synthesise correctly. Argues logically and coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of subject matter: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis abilities: Has good analysis and synthesis abilities. Arguments are expressed coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Knowledge more than good

Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Has considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has deepened the arguments

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Very good knowledge

Capacity for analysis and synthesis: Has considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Has significant in-depth knowledge.

Criteria of sampling methods in case of seed-borne pathogens

Protocols and performance of a virus molecular characterization test

Accreditation of phytopathological diagnosis laboratories

Quality standards of a phytopathological diagnosis laboratory

Mass diagnostic methods

Innovative diagnostic techniques