Plant Pathology: Academic Programs: Courses / Syllabi

PATH 6290 - Plant Pathogenic Bacteria

Isolation, identification, inoculation, biology, and control of plant pathogenic bacteria.

Instructor - Tim Denny
Credit Hours - 3 (Two lectures and one 3-hour lab period)
Course Offered - fall semester of even-numbered years

Prerequisite

PATH 3530-3530L or MIBO 3500

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students are expected to have:
- an understanding of the major terms and concepts relevant to plant pathogen bacteria
- knowledge of the major phytopathogenic bacteria, including their taxonomy and the disease that they cause
- knowledge of pathogen ecology, pathogenesis mechanisms, epidemiology, and control
- learned standard, genetic and molecular methods for working with bacteria

Topical Outline

I. Introduction
   A. Overview of disease symptoms caused by bacteria
   B. History of bacteria as pathogens
   C. Review of the bacterial cell

II. Taxonomy
   A. Principles
   B. Techniques
   C. Current status of pathogenic bacteria

III. Etiology
   A. Xanthomonas
   B. Pseudomonas
   C. Erwinia and Pantoea
   D. Agrobacterium
   E. Burkholderia, Ralstonia, Acidovorax
   F. Fastidious prokaryotes
   G. Coryneform bacteria

IV. Ecology
   A. Survival in or on soil, debris, roots, leaves, seeds, inanimate objects or insects
   B. Dissemination

V. Pathogenesis
   A. Inoculation and entry
   B. Establishment - pathogenicity and incompatibility factors
   C. Pathogen products that contribute to disease

VI. Control
   A. Chemical
   B. Biological

UNIVERSITY HONOR CODE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty." Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work. For this course, students must be careful to write their lab reports by them selves. However, it is acceptable to discuss with other students the lab results and conclusions prior to beginning to write.