Unit CROPS PROTECTION I AND II

ENTOMOLOGY

Code	80082306
CFU	6
Teacher	Roberto Romani
Teachers	Roberto Romani
Hours	54 ore - Roberto Romani
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline della sicurezza e della valutazione dei processi e degli alimenti
Sector	AGR/11
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Entomology (6 CFU) Relationships between insect and man. Morphology and physiology. Reproduction and development. Systematics. Ecology, ethology and population dynamics. Economic thresholds. Integrated pest management. Identification, biology, ecology, damage and control of the key species harmful to food crops. Laboratory practicals.
Reference texts	Gullan P.J., Cranston P.S. 2006. Lineamenti di Entomologia. Zanichelli Colazza, Peri, Lo Bue (2018) Lineamenti di Entomologia in Agricoltura Biologica Palermo University Press Pennacchio F, 2014. Gli Insetti e il loro controllo. Liguori editore
Educational objectives	Knowledge 1. Basic knowledge of general and applied entomology 2. General morphological and bio-ethological features of insects 3. General morphological and bio-ethological features of mites 4. Morphology, bio-ethology and peculiar traits of arthropods harmful to food plants 5. Features of agroecosystems (herbaceous and trees) characterised by food plants 6. Damages caused by arthropods to food plants 7. Monitoring and collecting techniques of phytophagous arthropods 8. Control methods of phytophagous arthropods 9. Morphological and bio-ethological features of the natural enemies of phytophagous arthropods 10. Outlines of the active ingredients and commercial insecticides used against phytophagous arthropods Skills 1. Distinguish the main order of insects 2. Recognize the most important arthropods harmful to food plants 3. Damage evaluation 4. Evaluation of the insects associated with food plants 5. Make a choice between different control methods to be applied to the food plants 6. Design and application of IPM methods, and their implementation to food plants 7. Observation and insect dissection under a stereomicroscope
Prerequisites	In order to understand the contents of the units, it is necessary that students positively passed the class of "Fundamentals of Biology" and that the following knowledges are well consolidated: - general zoology, animal cell general structure, herbaceous and tree cultivated species taxonomy.
Teaching methods	Teaching tools and devices Video-projected slides (powerpoint), PDF distributed to the students, Video, Suggested textbooks. Learning methods Reading and self-study on reference books, Reading and self-study on material given by the teacher, Presentation of talks of small workgroups on specific topics
Other information	Classes will be given at the DSA3
Learning verification modality	The final exam will be a 30 min. oral examinationon IPM strategy apllied to one of the agroecosystems studied. Questions on insect morphology and systematics, anatomy, physiology and ecology of the main insect groups. During the oral examination, the use of the language as well as the ability to cross-link topics within different modules will be taken into account.
Extended program	CLASSES Introduction to Entomology. Insect body. Insect and man, the diffusion and economic importance of insects in agriculture in pre- and post-harvesting. Insect morphology and systematic. External morphology, head and mouthparts, thorax, abdomen. Anatomy and physiology, the integumentary system, muscular system, nervous system, sensory system, the food canal, the excretory system, circolatory system, respiratory system, secretory and reproductive systems. Reproduction, post-embryonic development. Bio-ecology and control, the role of insects in agroecosystems. Ecology of phytophagous and entomophagous insects: parasitoids and predators, tri-trophic interactions and semiochemicals. Plant damages. Population dynamics. Economic damage, monitoring and economic injury level. Control stategies of phytophagous insects. The evolution of control strategies, integrated pest management. Quarantine. Agronomic and genetic control methods. Biological control methods. Biotecnical, physical and mechanical control methods. Chemical control methods. Arthropods harmful to cultivated plants. Recognition, damages and IPM strategies of the main species harmful to crops. Herbaceous agroecosystems: industrial crops, vegetables, cereals, legumes. Tree agroecosystems: olive, grape, pomaceae, stone fruits. PRACTICALS Identification of the main insect orders (phytophagous and entomophagous) External morphology and anatomy; post-embryonic development; morphological features and recognition keys of the insect orders of agricultural interest; mouthparts and insect trophic iteractions with plants; laboratory experience (insect dissection). How to rear both harmful and beneficial insects in laboratory. Control methods: biological and chemical insecticides, natural enemies, traps, sex pheromones, integration of the different control methods. Case study on a tree crop (olive).

PLANT PATHOLOGY

Code	80082206
CFU	6
Teacher	Roberto Buonaurio
Teachers	Mara Quaglia (Codocenza)
Hours	54 ore (Codocenza) - Mara Quaglia
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline della sicurezza e della valutazione dei processi e degli alimenti
Sector	AGR/12
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Concenpt of disease and diseases classification. Symptoms. General aspects and infectious processes of phytopathogenic agents (viruses, prokaryotes, oomycetes, and fungi). Plant disease diagnosis. Plant resistance to pathogens. Introduction to epidemiology. Plant disease control. Risk associated with the presence of mycotoxins and pesticide residues in food. Symptoms, pathogen cycle, epidemiology, and control of a number of diseases caused by viruses, phytopathogenic prokaryotes (phytoplama and bacteria), oomycetes, and fungi.
Reference texts	1. Download lesson slides from Unistudium (https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/) 2. Matta A., Buonaurio R., Scala A., 2017. Fondamentì di Patologia vegetale. Patron Editore, Bologna. 3. Bianco P.A., Bonanomi G., Brunelli A. et al., 2021. Patologia vegetale. EdiSES Universitaria. 4. Reverberi M., Ruocco M., Covarelli L., Sella L., 2022- Patologia vegetale molecolare. Piccin editore 5. Belli Giuseppe, 2007. Elementi di Patologia vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova 6. Agrios G.N., 2005. Plant Pathology. Elsevier Academic Press
Educational objectives	The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the issues related to reducing pre- and post-harvest losses caused by plant pathogens. Students will also be able to approach disease diagnosis and understand the related control measures to ensure the safety, quality, and wholesomeness of food throughout the various production chains.
Prerequisites	- To understand the mechanisms by which plant pathogens alter plants and their products, it is strongly recommended that you have taken the "Fundamentals of Plant Biology" exam. - A good knowledge of English is useful for further exploring the topics covered in class by reading texts and articles from the international scientific literature.
Teaching methods	Lessons and practice. Multidisciplinary surveys on farms The lectures will cover all the course topics, as outlined in the syllabus. The practice, which are intended to complement and provide students with hands-on experience of the main topics covered in the lectures, will be carried out in the equipped lecture room and in the microscopy room. Together, they include the following activities: - Observation and description of symptoms and signs in infected plant samples and estimation of the incidence and severity of a disease based on symptoms; - Use of the stereomicroscope and optical microscope for the observation of the structures of phytopathogenic fungi. - Application of Koch's postulates: isolation of phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria from infected plant material and performance of pathogenicity tests with different phytopathogenic agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi). - Refrigerated blotter for the detection of phytopathogenic fungi from caryopses and seeds.
Other information	For classroom and time of lessons, please visit https://dsa3.unipg.it/it/calendario-lezioni. It is strongly recommendend to attend the lessons. For any questions, please contact the teacher directly by email (mara.quaglia@unipg.it) or by phone (+39 075 585 6461). Student office hours will be held in person or via the Teams platform. Dates and times will be agreed by email.
Learning verification modality	Final oral exam lasting approximately 20 minutes, designed to assess the student's knowledge of the course content. To assess the level of acquisition of specific phytopathological terminology, the oral exam begins with a description of: - the symptoms of a sample (real or photographed) of a plant or its product infected by phytopathogens and/or - the structures of phytopathogens. During the course, ongoing tests may be administered, consisting of open-ended and multiple-choice questions, to monitor students' understanding of the topics of the course For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LD), visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa
Extended program	GENERAL PART 1. Plant Pathology: Introduction to Teaching 1.1 Economic and Social Consequences of Plant Diseases 1.2 Definition of Disease, Disease Triangle, Pathogenicity, Virulence, Susceptibility, and Resistance. 1.3 Relationships between organisms (ecological relationships and symbiotic relationships) . 1.4 Trophic Relationships Between Plants and Parasites. Biotrophism and Necrotrophism. 1.5 Parasitic and Non-Parasitic Plant Diseases 2. Symptoms and Signs of Plant Diseases 2.1 Symptoms and Signs: Definition 2.2 External and Internal Symptoms 2.3 Local and Systemic Symptoms 2.4 Chromatic Changes 2.5 Necrosis and Other Degenerative Changes 2.6 Breaks in Continuity and Detachment of Parts 2.7 Changes in Shape and Size 2.8 Estimation of plant deisease Incidence and Severity Based on Symptoms 3. Phytoviruses 3.1 General Characteristics of Phytoviruses 3.2 Genomes 3.3 Capsid 3.4 Morphology 3.5 Replication of ssRNA+ Phytoviruses 3.6 Movement of Viruses in Plants 3.7 Transmission of Phytoviruses 4. Phytopathogenic Prokaryotes 4.1 Classification of Phytopathogenic Prokaryotes 4.2 Habitat of Classical and Fastidious Bacteria 4.3 Infectious Process of Classical and Fastidious Bacteria 4.4General Information on Phytoplasmas 4.5 Genome and Transmission 4.6 Classification 5. Oomycetes and Fungi 5.1 General Information on Oomycetes 5.2 General Information on Fungi 5.3 Classification of Oomycetes and Fungi 5.4Infectious Process of Oomycetes and Fungi 6. Pathogenicity and Virulence Factors 6.1 Pathogenicity of Phytopathogenic Bacteria: Type I Secretion Systems III and IV 6.2 Pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi: the role of melanins 6.3 Virulence factors: Phytotoxins 6.4 Virulence factors: Cell wall-degrading enzymes 6.5 Virulence factors: Exopolysaccharides 6.6 Virulence factors: Phytohormones 7. Mycotoxins 7.1 Main genera of mycotoxigenic fungi (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Claviceps, Fusarium, Penicillium) 7.2 Main mycotoxins (Aflatoxins, Toxic alkaloids, Altertoxins, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, Patulin, Trichothecenes, Zearalenone, Emerging Myotoxins). 8. Plant Resistance 8.1 Different Levels of Resistance 8.2 Pre-infectional Morpho-structural and Biochemical Defenses 8.3 Post-infectional Morpho-structural and Biochemical Defenses 8.4 Qualitative and Quantitative Resistance 8.5 Non-Host Resistance and Tolerance 8.6 Acquired Systemic Resistance and Induced Systemic Resistance 9. Principles of Epidemiology 9.1 Definition of Epidemiology 9.2 Endemic, Epidemic, Sporadic, and Pandemic Diseases 9.3 Environment and Infectious Plant Diseases (Temperature, Humidity, Light, Soil Reaction and Chemical Composition) 9.4 Development and Prediction of Epidemics 10. Diagnosis 10.1 Traditional and Innovative Diagnostic Tests 10.2 Koch's Postulates 11. Principles of Plant Disease Control 11.1 Legislative Means 11.2 Genetic Means 11.3 Agronomic Means 11.4 Physical Means 11.5 Biological Means 11.6 Chemical Means 11.6.1 Pesticide Residues in Food (MRL) 11.7 Overview of Plant Protection Legislation: Organic and Integrated Management SPECIAL SECTION 1. Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) 2. Flavescence dorée (Dorée) of Grapevine (Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis) 3. Olive Scab (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi) 4. Grapevine Downy Mildew (Plasmopara viticola) 5. Grapevine Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe necator) 6. Grapevine Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) 7. Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis) 8. Cereal Rust (Puccinia spp.) 9. Cereal Decay (Tilletia spp.) 10. Cereal carbon dioxide from Ustilago spp. 11. Tomato leaf spot from Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici 1. Plant pathology 1.1. Plant pathology history 1.2 Losses Caused by Plant Diseases 1.3 Plant disease definition 1.4 Disease triangle 1.5 Relationships between organisms (ecological relationships and symbiotic relationships) 1.6 Biotrophs, hemibiotrophs, necrotrophs 1.7 Abiotic and biotic diseases 2. Disease symptoms and signs 2.1 Definition of symptoms and signs 2.2 External and internal symptoms 2.3 Local and systemic symptoms 2.4 Colour modifications 2.5 Necrosis 2.6 Detachment of plant parts 2.7 Shape and size modifications 3. Pant Viruses 3.1 General aspects of plant viruses 3.2 Genomes 3.3 Coat protein 3.4 Morphology 3.5 Replication of ssRNA+ viruses 3.6 Virus movement 3.7 Virus transmission 3.7.1 Transmission through vegetative propagation 3.7.2 Transmission through gamic propagation 3.7.3 Contact transmission 3.7.4 Sap transmission 3.7.5 Transmission through insect vectors 3.7.6 Further transmission modality 4. Phytopathogenic prokaryotes 4.1 Taxonomy of prokaryotes 4.2 Bacterial habitat 4.3 Bacterial infection process 4.3.1 Prepenetration phenomena 4.3.2 Penetration 4.3.3 Infection 4.3.4 Evasion 4.4 Survival and dissemination 4.5 Phytoplasma 4.6 Genome and transmission 4.7 Taxonomy 5. Oomycetes, plasmodiophorids and fungi 5.1 Oomycetes: general aspects 5.2 Plasmodiophorids: general aspects 5.3 Fungi: general aspects 5.4 Infection process of oomycetes and fungi 5.4.1 Prepenetration phenomena 5.4.2 Penetration 5.4.3 Infection 5.4.4 Evasion 6. Pathogenicity and virulence factors 6.1 Pathogenicity of phytopathogenic bacteria: type III and type IV secretion systems 6.2 Pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi: role of melanin 6.3 Virulence factor: phythotoxins 6.4 Virulence factor: enzymes that degrade cell walls 6.5 Virulence factor: exopolysaccharides 6.6 Virulence factor: phytohormons 7. Mycotoxins 7.1 Main toxigenic fungi 7.2 Aflatoxins 7.3 Ochratoxins 7.4 Fusarium-toxins: zearalenones, trichothecenes and fumonisins 8. Plant resistance 8.1 The resistance degree 8.2 Preexisting structural and chemical defenses 8.3 Induced structural and chemical defenses 8.4 Qualitative and quantitative resistance 8.5 Non host resistnce and tolerance 8.6 Induced resistance 9. Epidemiology 9.1 Definitions 9.2 Endemic, epidemic, sporadic and pandemic diseases 9.3 Environment and infectious plant diseases (temperature, humidity, light, soil pH) 9.4 Plant disease and forecasting 10. Diagnosis 10.1 Traditional and innovative analyses 10.2 Koch’s postulates 11. Control of plant diseases 11.1 Prevention and therapy 11.2 Quarantine 11.3 Use of resistant plants 11.4 Use of pathogen-free propagating material and seed 11.5 Control of vectors 11.6 Agronomic methods 11.7 Physical methods 11.8 Chemical methods 11.9 Biological methods SPECIFIC PLANT DISEASES 1. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2. Grapevine flavescence dorée by Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis 3. Olive knot disease by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi 4. Grapevine downy mildew by Plasmopara viticola 5. Grapevine powdery mildew by Erysiphe necator 6. Grapevine gray mold by Botrytis cinerea 7. Apple scab by Venturia inaequalis 8. Cereal rusts by Puccinia spp. 9. Cereal common bunt by Tilletia spp. 10. Cereal smut by Ustilago spp. 11. Tomato fusarium wilt by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Topics relating to mycotoxins in food and pesticides are included under objective 3