208-307 Plant Pathology

On completion of this subject, students should:

• be familiar with the biology and taxonomy of the major biotic causes of disease;

• understand the use of molecular biology techniques in plant pathology;

• be aware of the factors leading to disease epidemics;

• be capable of diagnosing common diseases of agricultural and horticultural crops; and

• be able to formulate a practiable approach to integrated control in commercial species.

Topics covered include:

• taxonomy, identification and biology of the main groups of plant pathogens and abiotic causes of plant diseases;

• host-pathogen relationships, and the nature of resistance and pathogenesis;

• the application of molecular marker technology in pathogen identifacation, disease resistance and pathogen diversity;

• the processes leading to plant disease epidemics and their evaluation; and

• the bases of biological control of plant diseases and the management and integrated control of plant diseases in general.

Practical work includes the identification and diagnosis of common diseases; and the development of skills in research techniques and methodology in plant pathology.

Three-hour examination (60% of final marks), practical examination (10% of final marks), oral presentation (10% of final marks) and an assignment comprising a collection of plant diseases (20% of final marks).

• J F Brown and H J Ogle, Plant Pathogens and Plant Diseases. Rockvale Publications, 1997.
• G N Agrios, Plant Pathology. 4th edn, Academic Press, Harcourt/Academic Press.