The course emphasizes the ecological and biological aspects of alien parasites and the impact they may have in different ecosystems. The student will be introduced to general management principles and to interventions which can be used in managing invasive parasites
Alberto Panconesi; Salvatore Moricca; Alessandro Ragazzi; Irene Dellavalle; Riziero Tiberi. Parassiti delle piante arboree forestali ed ornamentali. Specie introdotte e di temuta introduzione, 2014.
A selection of scientific research articles and reviews will be rendered available on moodle learning platform
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired: concepts that form the basis for understanding the nature of invasive alien parasites, of their vectors and pathways, of the impact they may have on ecosystems. Competence acquired: understand the causes, the dynamics, the impact and the management strategies against alien parasites.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended): Students are expected to be familiar with the principles and terminology of plant pathology and entomology, diagnostic techniques and pest management practices.
Courses required: none
Courses recommended: B026453, B026452, and B026451
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150(6= x 25)
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 100
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 20
Contact hours for Laboratory (hours): 0
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 24
Seminars (hours): 6
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab, although non compulsory, is strongly recommended
Teaching tools
Video projector, PC, overhead projector, experimental fields, labs
Type of Assessment
Exam modality:
Oral examination on the subjects of lectures and laboratory. All students will complete one written assignment. Audit: clarity of basic concepts; reasoning skills on real cases; proper use of technical-scientific language.
Written assignments: will be graded on the following criteria: 1) Appropriate and accurate references utilized 2) Requested topic addressed 3) Grammatical accuracy 4) Logical organization of content
Course program
Introduction to alien parasites: concepts and terms; the process of invasion: causes, ecology and impact on agricultural and natural ecosystems ; general principles for managing alien parasites; the importance of insect vectors to plant health; pest risk analysis and the international plant protection convention; international and regional phytosanitary regulations; international standards and guidelines for best practice management; case studies.
Field and laboratory experience: - Develop a sampling program - Collect pest data - Interpret data on pest population densities, manage data, interpret graphs - Conduct a field trial and a pest survey- Application of diagnostic protocols for regulated pests.