Main objectives
Acquire knowledge of Plant Pathology and Plant defenses: identification of the main causes of diseases and deterioration of food products. Acquire knowledge on integrated strategies for the protection of plants from viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
Specific objectives
A) Knowledge and understanding skills
The concept of disease
The different types of phytopathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects
The genetic, molecular and biochemical basis of defensive strategies, innate, of plants
the classic and integrated strategies for combating diseases in the main crops
the concept of food safety linked to the contamination of the main crops
The concept of sustainability and related legislation
B) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Know how to use specific terminology
Identify the main factors causing illness in the main crops and know the strategies of infection
Identify the genetic basis of plant resistance to the main plant pathogens
Outline classic and integrated control strategies for plant diseases and in general to improve food safety in light of the concepts of sustainability and the application of current regulations
C) Autonomy of judgment
Identification of new perspectives / development strategies to safeguard the main crops from a production, safety and quality point of view
Evaluation, interpretation and reprocessing of literature data in the field of food crop protection
D) Communication skills
Ability to illustrate the results of research and experimentation carried out in the context of the exercises
Ability to understand manuscripts in English and to indicate the salient features of the oral exam
E) Learning ability
Learn the specific terminology
Logically connect the acquired knowledge
Identify the most relevant topics of the subjects dealt with
know how to consult specialist databases (eg pubmed; EFSA)