OVERVIEW

The course outlines the general characteristics of mushrooms, illustrates the role of fungal organisms in the economy of nature and man, describes the main groups according to the modern fungal systematics. The course highlights the complexity and importance of general and applied mycology.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the basic elements of mycology (biology, ecology, systematics); to illustrate the importance of fungi in the economy of nature and man, and in the fields of biodegradation and biotechnology. Issues related to human, animal, and plant mycopathology are addressed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance, active participation in lectures and laboratory activities, together with individual study will allow the student to
• know the morphological, metabolic, reproductive, trophic, and ecological characteristics of fungal organisms with particular reference to pathological symbioses;
• describe the main systematic of fungal groups;
• understand the possible use of mushrooms in different areas of applied mycology (from biotechnology to environmental restoration).

PREREQUISITES

To address the contents of the course, general notions of general and applied biology, genetics, chemistry and biochemistry are needed.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures taught through multimedia presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Mushrooms "sensu stricto" and "fungus-like" organisms: general characteristics. Criteria adopted in the modern classification of fungi.
Organization and biology.
Structure and ultrastructure. Growth and differentiation. Specialized vegetative structures and reproductive structures. Sexual and asexual mode of reproduction. Fundamentals of fungal genetics. General and specific aspects of metabolism (primary and secondary metabolism); metabolites of major economic interest. Effects of environmental factors on mushroom development and tolerance to extremes.
Ecology and activity.
Saprotrophism and its implications in natural cycles and biodeterioration. Mutualistic symbioses: mycorrhizae as key components of ecosystems. Lichenized mushrooms. Pathological symbioses: outline of the main groups of biotrophic and necrotrophic fungi. Entomopathogenic fungi and mycoparasites. Mushrooms as bioremediation agents. Mushrooms in biomonitoring: bioaccumulation and bioindication.
Identification with particular reference to macrofunghi
Description of the main fungal groups. Cultivation methods. Observation and identification of taxa most representative and interesting for their applications.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Multimedia presentations used during the lectures will be published on AulaWeb at the end of the course.

Deacon W.B., 2005. Fungal Biology. Blackwell Publishing.

Rambelli A., Pasqualetti M., 1996. Nuovi fondamenti di Micologia. Jaca Boock SpA, Milano.

Zotti M., Traverso M., Boccardo F., 2006. – Funghi di Liguria. Marco Sabatelli Editore, Savona. 159p.

Boccardo F., Traverso M., Vizzini A., Zotti M., 2008. – Guida ai funghi d’Italia. Zanichelli Editore, Bologna. 620 p.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MIRCA ZOTTI (President)

GIUSEPPINA ALBINA BARBERIS

SIMONE DI PIAZZA

MAURO MARIOTTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the following link: http://www.distav.unige.it/ccsbenicultura/orario-lezioni

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

An oral examination during which the student must answer questions regarding the topics covered by the course. 3 exam sessions are scheduled in the first semester and 3 in the second one.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

How to prepare the exam and the level of detail required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and confirmed during the lectures. The oral exam will focus on the topics covered by the lectures. The aim is to evaluate the level of learning, autonomy, language ownership, synthesis, and exposition skills achieved by the student.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance at lectures is strongly recommended.