ECTS - University of Pisa
| Modules | Area | Type | Hours | Teacher(s) | |
| BIOPESTICIDES | AGR/12 | LEZIONI | 64 |
|
SI PREGA DI PROCEDERE ALLA VISIONE NELLO SLOT IN LINGUA INGLESE
The general aim of the course is to allow students to obtain specific skills related to the growing importance of (micro)biological agents in the protection of plants from the challange of microbial pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and viruses. The student will prove solid knowledge and understanding how control of microbial diseases of plants using microorganisms (i.e. biological control, or ‘biocontrol’) offers an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, alternative to chemical pesticides, activities which require deep knowledge of the latest developments and best practises in the field of agricultural sciences; the student will be also aware of the main aspects to develop an useful beneficial microorganism at industrial level, including risk evaluation.
The student will be assessed on his/her demonstrated ability to discuss all the issues presented during the formal lessons and the practical classworks.
By the end of the course the student will possess competences for building up and elaborating on arguments, and for problem-solving in the field of plant protection with novel eco-friendly technologies; in particular, the student will have acquired the ability to cover crucial role(s) in research teams engaged in the procedures of registration of candidate biopesticides; to develop strategic and creative responses in researching solutions to well defined concrete and abstract problems in the field of plant protection; to be able to apply his problem solving abilities also in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to his/her specialist fields of study.
Practical lab activities with living samples will allow positive interaction between the teacher and the students.
The student will be able to collect and interpret relevant data in the specific field of plant protection with the aim to form an opinion based on considering all connected social, scientific and ethical issues; to train others and develop team performance; to formulate responses to abstract and concrete problems in the field of non-chemical plant protection; to communicate information, ideas and solutions to an audience consisting of specialists and non-specialists; in particular, he/she will demonstrate ability in promoting advantages of biological approaches in protecting plants from the challenge of noxious organisms; to use effectively, in written and oral forms, at least one European language – other than Italian - in the specific field of expertise and to exchange general information.
A proper level of behavioural activity will be acquired by the student and verified during the frontal lessons and the practical activities.
Knowledge of the English language with a level of competence equal to B2.
Basic knowledge of botany, microbiology, molecular biology; ability to use the basic instrumentation of the microbiological lab (optical microscope, preparation of cultural substrates).
Delivery:
i) face to face
+ (academic year 2020-2021 = COVID19 emergency)
ii) distance learning over the Internet (virtual class)
The lectures are performed with the use of slides and videos, while practical classes are performed in a didactical biotechnological laboratory.
During the course the teacher gives the students advice and suggestion to guide them in the individual study and in the preparation of the exam.
The content of the course may change slightly from year to year according to legislative novelties and therefore the detailed program is distributed by the teacher at the beginning of the semester.
The interaction between the teacher and the students takes place through on-the-spot questions, interviews at the end of classes and by appointment, by e-mail or Skype connection.
The course will offer lectures, seminars and laboratory. Attendance is strongly advised.
An introduction: plant pathology in a pill. General info on economic and social importance of biotic plant diseases and their management. The One Health concept. Chemical control of plant diseases and health/environmental side effects. Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Biopesticides with special regard to biofungicides; classes of biofungicides (microbial pesticides, resistance inducers); the market of pesticides and biopesticides; pesticides and biopesticides labelling; the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI); the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL); the development of biopesticides, risk assessment and the registrative dossier. Mechanisms of action of biofungicides: direct antagonism (hyperparasitism/predation); mixed-path antagonism (antibiotics, physical/chemical interference, lythic enzymes); indirect antagonism (competition, induction of host resistance). A SWOT analysis of biopesticides.
Biofungicides registered for the Italian market based on the following active ingredients: Ampelomyces quisqualis; Aureobasidium pullulans; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ‘group’; Coniothyrium minitans; Pseudomonas chlororaphis; Pythium oligandrum; Streptomyces griseoviridis; Trichoderma ‘group’.
Case studies of relevant biofungicides not registered for the Italian market: Peniophora gigantea; Pseudomonas syringae; Rhizobium radiobacter; post-harvest bio-treatments.
Naturally occurring study cases of biological control of plant diseases: Cryphonectria parasitica, suppressive soils; Take-all decline.
Mycoherbicides: theory and applications.
Practical experiences: basic elements of the plant pathology lab; antagonistic tests as dual cultures. Presentation of relevant topics from the mass media, possibly from the perspective of students’ countries of origin. Consultation of databases and web sites, in order to practically apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during lessons.
Slides covering all the issues of the program, freely available in the e-learning web site of DAFE-UniPI (ask the teacher for password).
Selected web sites and free-access scientific papers as indicated by the teacher.
The complete collection of the teacher’s slides in a single file (pdf) are uploaded at the beginning of the semester and left available to students for the whole academic year.
Non-attending students are invited to ask for a meeting with the teacher before starting to prepare for the exam.
Final oral essay with with marks given in thirthiethes.
For outstanding students degrees may be awarded a cum laude distinction.
The lowest passing grade is 18/30.
Lifelong learning skills: the student will have the learning skills to allow him/her to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous, in a field of constant development such as crop protection.
