The growing anthropogenic pressure, the ongoing climate changes and the intensification of extreme events, expose plants to unusual and unpredictable environmental conditions, subjecting them to abiotic stresses that are atypical in intensity, frequency and duration. As a result of non-optimal growth conditions, plants develop an increased vulnerability to pathogens and weeds. Moreover, the increasingly advanced process of globalization facilitates the accidental introduction of alien species of potentially harmful and invasive pests and pathogenic microorganisms which creates significant damage to agricultural production, as well as representing a concrete threat to native biodiversity. Understanding plant responses to environmental stresses provides a fundamental knowledge for the development of innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture in a context of strong climatic variations, which protects food security, health, ecosystem and both native and agronomical plant biodiversity. The aim of this course is to provide the necessary skills to understand the effects of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants and their responses to environmental changes, also considering the effects that these responses have on the environment.
teacher profile teaching materials
Secondary metabolism in plant-environment interaction. Main classes of secondary metabolites. Functional and ecological roles of secondary metabolism.
Typology of abiotic stresses and their impact on plants. Plant responses to abiotic stresses. Adaptations and acclimations to water deficit. Adaptations and acclimations to water excess and oxygen deficiency. Adaptations and acclimations to saline stress. Adaptations and acclimations to high and low temperatures. Adaptations and acclimations to different light conditions. High irradiance stress. Ultraviolet radiation stress.
Type of pollutants and their impact on plants. Plants responses to environmental pollutants. Nitrogen oxides. Tropospheric ozone. Heavy metals. Effects of high atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.
Plant biotic interactions. Negative interactions between plants and other organisms. Constitutive defenses. Elicited defenses. Resistance and priming. Beneficial interactions between plants and other organisms. Nitrogen fixers, mycorrhizae and pollinators.
Biopesticides, bioherbicides, biostimulants from agri-food chain waste as starting material for the extraction of natural bio-active compounds.
2. Biologia delle Piante Vol. 2: Interazioni con l’ambiente e Domesticazione. Smith A. M. et al; Zanichelli Editore
3. Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale. Alberto Matta et al; Patron Editore, Bologna
4. Scientific articles and power point slides provided by the professor.
Programme
Acclimatative and adaptive responses to environmental stresses. Tolerance, defense and homeostasis. Avoidance and contrast strategies. Phenotypic plasticity. Physiological and metabolic responses to environmental stresses.Secondary metabolism in plant-environment interaction. Main classes of secondary metabolites. Functional and ecological roles of secondary metabolism.
Typology of abiotic stresses and their impact on plants. Plant responses to abiotic stresses. Adaptations and acclimations to water deficit. Adaptations and acclimations to water excess and oxygen deficiency. Adaptations and acclimations to saline stress. Adaptations and acclimations to high and low temperatures. Adaptations and acclimations to different light conditions. High irradiance stress. Ultraviolet radiation stress.
Type of pollutants and their impact on plants. Plants responses to environmental pollutants. Nitrogen oxides. Tropospheric ozone. Heavy metals. Effects of high atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide.
Plant biotic interactions. Negative interactions between plants and other organisms. Constitutive defenses. Elicited defenses. Resistance and priming. Beneficial interactions between plants and other organisms. Nitrogen fixers, mycorrhizae and pollinators.
Biopesticides, bioherbicides, biostimulants from agri-food chain waste as starting material for the extraction of natural bio-active compounds.
Core Documentation
1. Interazioni Piante-Ambiente. Luigi Sanità di Toppi; Piccin Editore2. Biologia delle Piante Vol. 2: Interazioni con l’ambiente e Domesticazione. Smith A. M. et al; Zanichelli Editore
3. Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale. Alberto Matta et al; Patron Editore, Bologna
4. Scientific articles and power point slides provided by the professor.
Reference Bibliography
1. Interazioni Piante-Ambiente. Luigi Sanità di Toppi; Piccin Editore 2. Biologia delle Piante Vol. 2: Interazioni con l’ambiente e Domesticazione. Smith A. M. et al; Zanichelli Editore 3. Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale. Alberto Matta et al; Patron Editore, Bologna 4. Scientific articles and power point slides provided by the professor.Type of delivery of the course
The course will take place through classroom lectures and laboratory exercises. The lectures are organized through power point presentations that are made available to the student.Attendance
Attendance is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
The oral exam will consist in the discussion of the topics related to the program. Laboratory exercises may also be the subject of the interview. The ability to describe the theoretical aspects, the level of detail, the clarity of presentation and the language properties will be assessed.