Grapevine Protection

The aim is to provide information on viticultural pests and pathogens, in detail:

PATHOLOGY

infromation on grapevine diseases, their spreading patterns and to evaluate their economic impact on production. To know how to prevent its early event and spread applying suitable integrated pest management programs.

ENTOMOLOGY

a) knowledge on biology, ethology of grapevine feeder insects (indigenous and exotic), as well as on damages caused to grapevine

b) build-up expertise on insect control strategies with emphasis on environmental friendly methods, IPM and biological control

c) Knowledge on the epidemiology of grapevine diseases transmitted by insect vectors and on prevention and control methods.

At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to recognize and manage grapevine diseases, their causal agents and their pattern of spread in vineyards.
- to apply traditional and modern diagnostic techniques for identification of the pathogens of grapevine. Modern pesticide usage and knowledge of the main related problems occurring in vineyard.
- to evaluate pathogen risk infection, its management also applying infection predicting models
- to identify the most important species of insects, indigenous and exotic, with a high risk of introduction, which cause direct damage and transmit agents of diseases of economic interest in viticulture
- to evaluate the influence of the environment on development of the insect populations in the vineyard, on the epidemiology of the plant pathogens they transmit
- to set up appropriate containment strategies, with particular emphasis on techniques with a low environmental impact
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course the student will have theoretical and practical knowledge of:
- Impact of pest insects on grapevine production
- Role of vector insects in spreading grapevine pathogenic viruses and bacteria
- Grapevine insect pest control and prevention strategies, including insecticides and agronomical, mechanical, and biological tools, in order to obtain specific skills for designing and realizing IPM programs
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
-design prevention and control programs for several pests of grapevine
- design prevention and control programs for grapevine diseases transmitted by insect vectors
- design rational plans for the application of insecticides and alternative control methods in order to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects, thus preventing damages to beneficial insects and avoiding the selection of insect and fungi strains showing insecticide /fungicide resistance
INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT
At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate and choose the best control programs against selected pest insects of grapevine
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The students will acquire a correct terminology on plant pathology, agricultural entomology and control methods. Moreover, by the analysis of papers and attending scientific seminars, they will develop the ability to analyse and understand scientific works
LEARNING SKILLS
At the end of the course the students will be able to evaluate and compare the different grapevine pests control options as well as to identify useful and reliable sources of scientific information