Plant Pathology: Academic Programs: Courses / Syllabi

PATH 8420 - Biology of Plant Pathogenic Fungi

The genetics, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, and taxonomy of important plant pathogenic fungi with emphasis placed on both well-known and emerging pathogens as well as experimental organisms and species that might be potential bioterrorism agents.

Instructor - Charles Mims
Credit Hours - 3
Course Offered - Spring, even years

PREREQUISITES:

PATH(PBIO) 4200/6200 - 4200L/6200L

COURSE OBJECTIVES OR EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of the course is to provide students with advanced and detailed information on the biology of plant pathogenic fungi not included in courses already taught in the Department of Plant Pathology.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Introduction to plant pathogenic fungi
Classification, identification and monitoring of plant pathogenic fungi
Necrotrophs, biotrophs and hemibiotrophs
Adhesion to host surfaces, appressorium formation and pathogen ingress
Haustoria
Sporulation, dissemination and survival
Rust fungi
Smut fungi
Ascomycetes/Deuteromycetes as plant pathogens
Oomycetes as plant pathogens
Seed borne pathogens
Soil borne/root pathogens
Foliar pathogens
Flower infecting fungi
Endophytes
Mycotoxin producing fungi
Important experimental organisms
Population genetics of plant pathogenic fungi
Pathogenicity genes
Biology of fungicide activity and development of resistance to fungicides
Emerging pathogens
Plant pathogenic fungi as potential agents of bioterrorism
Student presentations on selected pathogens

UNIVERSITY HONOR CODE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

UGA Student Honor Code: "I will be academically honest in all of my academic work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others." A Culture of Honesty, the University's policy and procedures for handling cases of suspected dishonesty, can be found at www.uga.edu/ovpi. Every course syllabus should include the instructor's expectations related to academic integrity.