The course covers the main causes of damage of forest trees by abiotic stress (thermal, water, pollution) and biotic due to fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses. Will be illustrate Koch's postulates, the concepts of parasitism, pathogenicity and virulence, the infectious cycle, the plant-pathogen interactions, disease resistance, epidemiology, diagnosis and struggle. The main diseases of forest trees in forest plantations and nurseries will be illustrated.
Boa, E. R. (2003). An illustrated guide to the state of health of trees: recognition and interpretation of symptoms and damage. Food & Agriculture Org.. "available online"
- Capretti P. Ragazzi A. 2009. Elementi di patologia forestale. Pàtron . Bologna
- Moriondo F, Capretti P., Ragazzi A., 2006. Malattie delle piante in bosco, in vivaio e delle alberature. Ed. Pàtron, Bologna
http://www.forestpathology.org/index.html
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Plant Pathology, Mycology, Forest Ecology.
Identification of causes of damages to forest trees Identification of fungal agents responsible for damage
Competence acquired:
Diagnostic in plant pathology.
Estimation of the impact of biotic and abiotic agents on forest stands; Preparation of strategies to prevent and contrast harmful agents
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Ability to recognize the main causes, biotic and abiotic, which can damage the forest trees in both natural forests and plantations; knowledge of the means and methods to prevent and contrast diseases in forest.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses required: Botany
Courses recommendedEcology, Microbiology, Dendrology
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Strongly recommended
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 125
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 75
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 28
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 8
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 10
Seminars (hours): 2
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 2
Further information
Teaching tools
Lectures with PPT, questionnaires, laboratory exercises and excursions in the forest
Type of Assessment
Exam modality:
written and oral examination on the topics covered by lectures and practical work in forest
Course program
The course covers:
- the main causes of damage of forest plants to abiotic (thermal stress, water, pollution) and biotic due to fungi, oomycetes, bacteria and viruses.
- -discusses the concepts of parasitism, pathogenicity (Koch's postulates) and virulence, the infectious cycle, the plant-pathogen interactions, disease resistance, epidemiology, diagnosis and struggle.
- -describes the main diseases of forest trees in the Alps and the Mediterranean, and particularly those that affect the foliage (defoliation, dieback and rusts), the stem (agents of canker, wilt and decay), the root system (rot and boot rot decay).
The course focuses on the ecological and biological characteristics of pathogenic microorganisms and their interaction with plants.