PLNT7480 Epidemiology in Plant Disease Fall Term 2010

Course Outline (see on page 2).

Course Objectives: The intent of the course is to give the students the most important epidemiological principles in host-pathogen interactions. The course is designed to present this through areas of importance at the present time including novel methods in identifying and monitoring diversity between and within pathogens. The hope is that at the end of the course, the student will be able to derive principles of plant disease management from knowledge of different aspects studied and learnt in class. The course will familiarize students with some important topics and literature concerning plant disease epidemiology. It will also encourage development of skills necessary for critical evaluation of research articles. Although not restricted to, the emphasis will be on the epidemiology of cereal, oilseed, and special crop diseases (i.e. potatoes, legumes) of current importance in western Canada.

Instructor: Dr. Dilantha Fernando, Plant Science, Rm. 205 Agriculture, Phone 474-6072

Timetable: Meeting for lectures, and class presentations - Thursdays from 1.00 to 3.30 pm

Texts (Recommended to read):
1. Introduction to Plant Disease Epidemiology – Campbell and Madden Wiley Inter-science Publication 1990.
2. Epidemiology and Plant Disease Management – Zadoks and Schein 1979

Required to read: All research articles that are distributed in class, or requested to download and read.

Student Evaluation:

Discussion & Presentations 25%
Term paper 25%
Research Proposal 25%
Paper Reviews 25%

ROASS
In accordance with the calendar regulations concerning ‘Responsibilities of Academic Staff to Students’ students are reminded that ‘academic dishonesty’ including ‘plagiarism and cheating’. Note also the date for voluntary withdrawal from first term.

Final Note: Remember, there are no mid term exams or a final exam in this course. Thus, presentations, participation in discussion, research proposal and term paper should be taken very seriously if you are to master the subject of plant disease epidemiology, achieve high standards and get a good grade.

Good Luck and I look forward to a very interesting fun-filled educational term with you!!

PLNT7480 Epidemiology in Plant Disease Fall 2010

GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE

Influence of Pathogen
(1) Fernando Dispersal Units and Methods utilized in Trapping Dispersal Units

Influence of Environment
(2) Fernando Macro and Micro Climatic Data Analysis

Influence of Host
(3) Fernando Susceptible and Resistant Cultivars and Gene for Gene Hypothesis

(4,5) Paper Reviews three papers will be reviewed, presented in class and analyzed

Disease in Space
(6) Fernando Disease Gradients in relation to Disease Development from a inoculum source

(7) Student 1 Pathogen / Disease Spread Molecular Analysis -
Gene flow, heterozygosity, Shannon Index.

(8) Student 2 Genetic Diversity & population structure with methods (AFLP, SRAP, etc).
Geographic Population differentiation, genetic and genotypic diversity, genetic distance.

Crop Loss Assessment and Reduction Methodology
(9) Student 3 Disease Incidence, Severity and Disease Progress Curves (DPS)

(10) Fernando Populations and diversity of microorganisms in soil – for disease management
Influence of the crop, soil-type, analysis methods and population variation.

Disease forecasting
(11) Guest Disease in Time - disease forecasting - Methods to predict disease

Disease Management
(12) Fernando Chemical Control - Thresholds, cultural/Integrated Management, Host Resistance

(13) Fernando Chemotypic diversity, pathogenicity / aggressiveness in disease

(14) Group Ecological Fitness of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes – understanding genes and their functions