AGC706: Insect Pathology / Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology

This course looks at the constant on-going warfare between plants and their pathogens; how plants have evolved to defend themselves and the mechanisms that pathogens have evolved to gain entry and nutrients from their host. Initially we look at the wide spectrum of micro-organisms that can attack plants; these include fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Then we assess how environmental factors are important in disease development. We look at mechanisms of controlling plants diseases including breeding methods, biological control and chemical control as well as environmental aspects. We examine the impact of plant diseases in natural and agricultural systems and investigate the importance of quarantine in the protection of Australian native flora and crop plants.