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PFG0081
Biological control and the role of plant biomes in plant health
The course is the next in a series of four courses that follows a PhD course series in the Nordic countries with now 33 PhD courses in plant pathology – in each course the focus will be on a sub-discipline within plant pathology.
This first course, in the four courses applied for, the focus is on biological control of plant diseases where living organisms or virus (i.e. biocontrol agents (BCAs)) are used for controlling plant diseases. In plant production (BCAs) can be applied to the plant crop (augmentative biocontrol) or microbial populations active in the plant microbiomes can lead to disease suppression. The course will introduce fundamental concepts and the terminology in biocontrol and then have two main approaches for exploiting biocontrol in plant crop production: 1) augmentative biocontrol and 2) plant microbiome function for improving plant health. We will cover aspects from molecular, cellular, individual and population levels relevant for understanding the biology related to biocontrol interactions embracing effects of BCAs formulated with one strain or in consortia and the option to affecting microbiome function that result in disease suppression. State of art methodologies for studying biocontrol interactions and analysing plant microbiomes will be introduced. Practical aspects on how to develop BCAs from production, formulation and delivery to the crop are addressed and aspects of risk assessment and legislation will be discussed.
This first course, in the four courses applied for, the focus is on biological control of plant diseases where living organisms or virus (i.e. biocontrol agents (BCAs)) are used for controlling plant diseases. In plant production (BCAs) can be applied to the plant crop (augmentative biocontrol) or microbial populations active in the plant microbiomes can lead to disease suppression. The course will introduce fundamental concepts and the terminology in biocontrol and then have two main approaches for exploiting biocontrol in plant crop production: 1) augmentative biocontrol and 2) plant microbiome function for improving plant health. We will cover aspects from molecular, cellular, individual and population levels relevant for understanding the biology related to biocontrol interactions embracing effects of BCAs formulated with one strain or in consortia and the option to affecting microbiome function that result in disease suppression. State of art methodologies for studying biocontrol interactions and analysing plant microbiomes will be introduced. Practical aspects on how to develop BCAs from production, formulation and delivery to the crop are addressed and aspects of risk assessment and legislation will be discussed.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
PFG0081 Biological control and the role of plant biomes in plant health, 4.0 Credits
Subjects
Biology Agricultural Science,Crop Production Science,Horticultural Science,Education cycle
Postgraduate levelGrading scale
Pass / Failed
Prior knowledge
The course is primary for PhD students within the Nordic NOVA/BOVA-university networks but will be open for other PhD students and staff members too. NOVA/BOVA MSc. students in the final part of their studies can also attend. Staff and PhD/MSc students from other universities are welcomed if space allows. Basic knowledge of plant pathology, genetics, biochemistry and/or microbial ecology is preferable.Objectives
This course aims to give the participants an advanced insight and understanding of the sub-discipline "biological plant disease control" with special focus on the following aspects: • Terminology and concepts used in biological plant disease control and plant biome research • Sources of potential biocontrol organisms, their isolation and methods for selecting candidate biocontrol organisms (Biocontrol agents: BCAs) • Mechanisms in biocontrol interactions – competition for space and resources, antibiosis, exploitation and induction of plant defence responses. In addition, also addressed in a microbial ecology context for linking mechanistic studies to the practical use of BCAs in plant production. • Become familiarized with methods for studying biocontrol interactions at the molecular (genome and biochemical), cellular, individual and population levels – including relevant bioinformatics. • Be familiar with plant microbiomes seen in relation to biocontrol functional groups and patho-biome function. One focus will be endophytism related to plant health. Insight in methodologies used for studying plant microbiomes (descriptive and functional studies) as well as biocontrol effects on plant pathobiomes will also be an outcome. • Production, formulation and delivery of biocontrol agents (BCAs) in different plant cropping systems. Formulating BCAs in consortia or synthetic microbiomes will also be addressed. • The role of biological control in IPM (integrated pest management) strategies – with focus on reducing chemical pesticide use and alleviating fungicide resistance in pathogen populations, and combining plant disease resistance with biocontrol approaches. • Legislative aspects including risk assessment and registration in Europe and other countries as well as information about the Nagoya protocol for access and sharing beneficial organisms globally. • Future goals in biocontrol researchContent
The course is the next in a series of four courses that follows a PhD course series in the Nordic countries with now 33 PhD courses in plant pathology – in each course the focus will be on a sub-discipline within plant pathology. This first course, in the four courses applied for, the focus is on biological control of plant diseases where living organisms or virus (i.e. biocontrol agents (BCAs)) are used for controlling plant diseases. In plant production (BCAs) can be applied to the plant crop (augmentative biocontrol) or microbial populations active in the plant microbiomes can lead to disease suppression. The course will introduce fundamental concepts and the terminology in biocontrol and then have two main approaches for exploiting biocontrol in plant crop production: 1) augmentative biocontrol and 2) plant microbiome function for improving plant health. We will cover aspects from molecular, cellular, individual and population levels relevant for understanding the biology related to biocontrol interactions embracing effects of BCAs formulated with one strain or in consortia and the option to affecting microbiome function that result in disease suppression. State of art methodologies for studying biocontrol interactions and analysing plant microbiomes will be introduced. Practical aspects on how to develop BCAs from production, formulation and delivery to the crop are addressed and aspects of risk assessment and legislation will be discussed.Additional information
The teaching will be organized as follows: One week at course facilities where the participants meet for 5 days teaching (physical course part) that will be following a pre course period of two month where a journal club will be running on Zoom once a week. Papers discussed are suggested by the course teachers – the discussion facilitated each time by two students. All the above mentioned objectives will be included in the course scheme and two main international teachers with leading expertise in biocontrol- and microbiome research will be invited for the physical course. Other teachers will be coming from the participating NOVA universities. There are several Nordic NOVA teachers who are highly competent in the subjects addressed. These Nordic teachers will take part in the course.At the physical course, there will be traditional lectures, students’ oral- and/or poster presentations, group discussions and special student assignments during the course – some assignments initiated before course start. An excursion will be organized including both social/societal- and professional aspects.