PATOLOGIA VEGETALE MOLECOLARE

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: VITTORIA CATARA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Train the students to design and conduct research and activities with innovative tools on: plant interaction- plant pathogens, interactions in the plant microbiome, biotechnological interventions for integrated plant protection and selection of micro-organisms for biocontrol of plant pathogens; and developing and applying molecular investigation protocols for detection, identification and characterisation of beneficial pathogens and micro-organisms. In detail, the learning outcomes include:

Knowledge and understanding abilities: Specific knowledge and understanding skills on Molecular Plant Pathology as defined above.

Applying knowledge and understanding abilities: Ability to identify research and techniques useful in the study of the phenomena of interaction of plant pathogens with the plant and the microbiome, the development of diagnostic techniques and kits, the selection of microorganisms with beneficial activities

Making judgements: The set of knowledge and skills acquired through lectures and integrative activities will help to provide the tools to make the appropriate technical choices on the basis of specific requests. During the course of the laboratory activity, the ability to critically analyse the results of the trials will also be verified.

Communication skills: The student will be encouraged to study, individually or in groups, some topics to deepen their knowledge independently and to communicate on the topics covered during the course or laboratory activity.

Learning skills: Ability to learn the scientific concepts of molecular applications for the solution of plant pathology problems and the basis for stimulating autonomy also in relation to subsequent cycles of study.

Course Structure

The course (8 ECTS) consists of 4 ECTS of frontal lesson (28 hours) and 4 ECTS (56 hours) of integrative activity. The lectures are conducted with the help of MS PowerPoint presentations and are provided to the student. Other activities include in-depth discussion of the topics covered in lectures, including case studies from scientific papers, seminars, laboratory or computer exercises and company visits. If the course is given in mixed mode or distance, the necessary variations may be introduced from what was declared in order to respect the program reported.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, students may request a personal interview so as to plan any compensatory and/or dispensative measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the teacher CInAP (Center for Active and Participated integration - Services for Disabilities and/ or DSA) of our Department, Professor Giovanna Tropea Garcia and Anna De Angelis.

Required Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required, however knowledge of molecular biology methods also acquired through the attendance of subjects in agricultural genetics, molecular biotechnology or LM-7 in the first semester of the first year Molecular biotechnology and agricultural plant genetics help to address some of the topics covered

Attendance of Lessons

Strongly recommended for the high number of hours of supplementary activity planned

Detailed Course Content

The Molecular Plant Pathology course deepens knowledge on plant-pathogen interactions, recalling the main aspects of the biology of the plant pathogens with particular reference to the attack mechanisms of the pathogens and on the main plant defense responses, the plant-plant interactions in the microbiome and between microorganisms involved in plant pathology aspects. Other subjects will then address issues related to sustainable defense and innovation development in plant disease control, the latest methods of phytopathological diagnosis and characterisation of micro-organisms associated with plants, Methods of study and investigation in plant pathology. In 2022, a textbook on Molecular plant pathology was published which is useful for learning and following the lessons.

Textbook Information

Patologia vegetale molecolare. M. Reverberi - M. Ruocco - L. Covarelli - L. Sella 2022, 690 pp. Piccin ISBN 978-88-299-3141-5

The text has been published recently and will be used for many of the topics. The degree of depth will be defined by the teacher during the lessons. For those who need further basic information on plant pathology, the following texts can also be consulted at departmental libraries:

- Matta A., Buonaurio R., Favaron F., Scala A., Scala F. 2017. Fondamenti di patologia vegetale (2a edizione), 490 pp. Patron editore ISBN 9788855533829

- Vannacci G. et al. 2021. Patologia vegetale. Edises, Università ISBN 9788836230419.

- Belli G. (2012) Elementi di Patologia Vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova. 2nda edizione 454 pp.

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Introduction to molecular plant pathology and references to the fundamentals of plant pathology	PDF of the lectures (Studium).
2	Pathogenesis mechanisms: phytopathogenic oomycetes and fungi	Text 1. PDF of the lectures (Studium),
3	Pathogenesis mechanisms: phytopathogenic bacteria	Text 1. PDF of the lectures (Studium), seminars, tutorials.
4	Pathogenesis mechanisms: replication, movement, pathogenesis and transmission of fitoviruses	Text 1. PDF of the lectures (Studium), seminars.
5	Plant resistance mechanisms: The biochemical and molecular basis for the recognition of pathogens and the activation of plant defenses.	Text 1. PDF of the lectures (Studium).
6	Plant resistance mechanisms: acquired systemic resistance (SAR), induced systemic resistance (ISR), RNA silencing.	Text 1. PDF of the lectures (Studium), seminars
7	Integrated disease management: Biological control microorganisms	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium), seminars, tutorials.
8	Integrated disease management: The role of the phytobiome in pathogenesis	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium), seminars, tutorials.
9	Integrated disease management: suppressive soils	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium).
10	Integrated disease management: resistance induction and defense priming	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium).
11	Integrated disease management: Biotechnology for plant pathogens resistance to pathogens	Testo 1. PDF delle lezioni del docente (Studium), seminari.
12	Diagnosis and investigation methods in plant pathology: conventional vs. innovative methods; importance and plant-based testing methods.	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium), seminars.
13	Diagnosis: Innovative methods for plant pathogens detection	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium), seminars, tutorials.
14	Diagnosis: methods for the identification and characterisation of plant-related micro-organisms (pathogens, biocontrol agents)	Text 1. PDF of the lectures of the teacher (Studium), seminars, tutorials.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Not suitable - Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies. Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize. Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18-20 - Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections. Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills. Use of references: As appropriate.

21-23 - Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge. Ability to analyze and synthesize: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently. Using references: Use standard references.

24-26 - Subject knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge. Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently. Using references: Use standard references.

27-29 - Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good. Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis. Use of references: Has explored the topics.

30-30L - Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge. Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis. Use of references: Important insights.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

The questions refer to the titles of the program contents starting from the general topic of the lectures (e.g. molecular mechanisms of attack of the different pathogen groups, innovative defence methods, resistance mechanisms of the plant, Induction of resistance, innovative diagnostic techniques, antagonistic micro-organisms, interactions in the microbiome) and then to arrive at the case studies.

Degree Course in

Agricultural Biotechnology