2023/2024

Learn the main biotechnologies under development for the sustainable containment of plant diseases of agricultural interest. Particular emphasis will be given to those biotechnological techniques that have the purpose of enhancing and reusing agri-food waste in order to mitigate plant diseases in a circular economy context. Learn the main innovative diagnostic assays.

Plant pathology, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology

Introduction to the course, overview of the syllabus, how the exam is conducted, assignment of case studies
General concepts of plant pathology and Summary of the main phytopathogens: bacteria, phytoplasmas, fungi, oomycetes, viruses
General concepts of struggle and "conventional" struggle: agronomic, genetic, legislative, with synthetic chemistry
Definition of organic farming, regulation and legislation, the program of the European Green Deal and how to set up new methods of struggle
Defense mechanisms of plants
Mechanisms of antagonism
Use of natural substances with antimicrobial action and elicitors
Use of nanotechnologies: direct antimicrobial action, as carrier of active substances and nucleic acids
Gene delivery
Predictive models and phenomics
Diagnostics

Teacher's slides, scientific articles recommended by the teacher

Lectures, laboratory

A case study will be assigned to each student, who will have to prepare a power point presentation to be exhibited during the exam date.

    Sara Francesconi