NPLB15007U Diagnosis of Diseases of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants

Volume 2015/2016
Content

The course will introduce commonly occurring plant diseases in agriculture, horticulture, orchards and forests and provide hand-on experience with classical and web-based methods used in identifying the causal organisms and diagnosing their diseases. The course mainly focuses on practical, classical diagnostics of material collected by the participants, but in addition, an introduction to molecular diagnosis is given. Assessment of crop damage in the field and how to collect samples for further studies will be discussed. The participants should also finalise a minor essay about a disease observed during the field course.

The participants learn:

  • How to diagnose plant diseases - step by step - using classical practical methods (using microscopy, literature, keys and web-based tools)
  • How to identify pathogenic fungi, bacteria and virus from their pathogen morphology, hosts and host symptoms
  • How to describe, characterise and assess damage in the field and how to collect samples for identification of the causal agents of disease
  • How to describe a disease in order to understand how and why it develops
Learning Outcome

The course deals with plant disease problems in agriculture, horticulture (greenhouses, orchards, field crops) and forestry with special reference to North European conditions.

The main aim of the course is to obtain hands-on experience in diagnosis of plant diseases

After completing the course, the participants should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Describe plant pathogen morphology
  • Describe symptoms caused by plant pathogens
  • Identify and classify plant pathogens based on morphology
  • Obtain an overview of the most important groups of plant pathogens
  • Describe, characterise and assess damage in the field
  • Collect diseased plant samples for further studies
  • Understand the theory behind molecular techniques for identification of microorganisms
  • Understand and describe the fundamental characteristics of a disease and how it develops in a host

 

Skills:

  • Be able to use common tools for identifying plant pathogens
  • Be able to apply principles for diagnosis of plant diseases based on pathogen morphology and disease symptoms
  • Obtain an overview of the most important groups of pathogens and their main characteristics

 

Competences:

  • Knowledge and ability to work with diagnostic methods
  • Be able to communicate results from disease diagnostics
  • Understand how a specific plant disease develops
  • Cooperate with other participants when conducting the diagnosis and report the results

Handbooks and manuals will be available

Competences equivalent to an introductory course in plant pathology/plant diseases
The course consists of a two-week field course in Campus-Tåstrup, focussing on problem-based studies including field collections, identification of pathogens and diagnosis of plant diseases using keys, manuals and microscopes. Most of the work is carried out in groups of two participants supervised by the teachers. Furthermore, there will be short theoretical introductions to specific topics as well as an excursion. The participants should also complete a minor essay about disease observed, make a final overview of the pathogen groups observed and contribute two diseases to a disease database
• Before the course start, the participants should anticipate about one week preparation time
• The course takes place at Campus-Tåstrup, as it is dependent on plant material from the field
• A free shuttle bus runs between Campus-Frederiksberg and Campus-Tåstrup
• In addition to the regular registration for the course, all potential participants (especially from outside KU) are strongly encouraged also to notify the course responsible directly for more information
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 8
  • Guidance
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 6
  • Practical exercises
  • 70
  • Preparation
  • 31
  • Project work
  • 4
  • Theory exercises
  • 15
  • Total
  • 138
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Written assignment
Continuous evaluation of individually prepared diagnosis reports (weight: 80%)
Overview of taxonomy of diagnosed pathogens (weight 5%)
Contribution to disease database (weight: 5%)
Minor essay (weight 10 %)
Exam registration requirements

Be present at least 75% of the time

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner.
Exam period

Assessment of course activities finalised the last day of week 28

 

Re-exam

Oral exam in full curriculum

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning outcome