212-409 Plant Pathology

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Subject Description

On completion of this subject, students should be familiar with the biology and taxonomy of the major biotic causes of disease; understand the processes of infection and pathogenesis; be aware of the factors leading to epidemic diseases; be capable of diagnosing common diseases of agricultural and horticultural crops; and be able to formulate a practicable approach to disease control in commercial species.

Topics include taxonomy, identification and biology of the main groups of plant pathogens and abiotic causes of plant diseases; host parasite relationships, the nature of resistance to and tolerance of pathogenesis; means of transferring, including and modifying resistance in plants; mycotoxicoses in feed and fodder crops; aspects of aerobiology, ecology and variation of plant pathogens; and the processes leading to plant disease epidemics and their evaluation; the types and uses of fungicides, the bases of biological control of plant disease, insects and weeds and the management and control of plant diseases in general. Practical work includes the identification and diagnosis of disease and the development of skills in research techniques and methodology in plant pathology. Excursions and assignments will be included when appropriate.

Assessment

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination. Marks are given for a practical examination, and for an assignment comprising a collection of plant diseases.

Prescribed Texts

• G N Agrios, Plant Pathology. 3rd ed., Academic Press, 1988.
• C J Alexopoulos and C W Mims, Introductory Mycology. Wiley, 1979.