PLV321 Plant Pathology and Resistance Breeding

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:May Bente Brurberg

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:20

Course frequency:Odd years

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:Autumn parallel.

About this course

The biology and life style of plant pathogens, how they can be isolated and cultivated. Classical and modern ways of diagnosing. Disease cycle, including survival, dispersal and infection, in connection to environmental factors. Development of plant disease epidemics and population genetics. The pathogen's weapons and plants' defense mechanisms. Principles for disease control, with particular focus on plant resistance and resistance breeding. National and international plant health legislation.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: adequate insight in plant pathology and resistance breeding to work with these topics on master- and PhD level, both theoretically and experimentally.

Skills: Should be able to 1) Evaluate environmental and social consequences of plant diseases and the strategies to combat the diseases; 2. Stay updated on plant diseases threatening our cultivated plants; 3) Critically evaluate published literature in this area.

General competences: The theoretical foundation necessary for acquiring knowledge in the and skills that can be used to for solving plant health problems and contribute to a sustainable development.

  • Lectures, lab exercises, literature seminars, self study.
  • Teaching books, scientific literature, question hour before the exam, Canvas.
  • Bachelor level courses in plant physiology,microbiology, genetics and chemistry (BOT130, BIO130, BIO120 and KJM100), including experience in lab work in these subjects are necessary, in addition to basic plant pathology (equivalent to PLV200).
  • Oral exam - 50 %

    Folder (laboratory reports, literature seminar + literaure report) - 50 %.



    Portfolio Grading: Letter grades Oral exam Grading: Letter grades
  • External examinor (censor) present in oral exam, and participating in final grading
  • Laboratory exercises, submission of laboratory reports, and literature seminars with submission of report.
  • A collaboration with other Nordic universities: SLU, KU-LIFE and HU-AF may be established
  • 8 h per week in 11 weeks
  • Master students in Plant Sciences
  • Special requirements in Science