OVERVIEW

Plants interact with the external environment and must adapt to various, often changing, circumstances and stress factors, both biotic and abiotic, which can affect their survival, growth, and reproductive capacity.

Biotic stresses include attacks by pathogens or herbivores, while abiotic stresses encompass thermal stress (low or high temperatures), flooding, saline stress, drought, and interactions with heavy metals.

During the course, examples of different anatomical and morphological adaptations and the main physiological mechanisms by which plants respond to environmental stresses and attacks by pathogens and herbivores will be provided.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the foundations for understanding the morpho-physiological adaptation mechanisms of plants to different types of biotic and abiotic stress.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will acquire knowledge of the main morpho-physiological adaptation mechanisms of plants to various types of biotic and abiotic stresses, through specific examples related to scientific studies on these topics.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons.

"Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.”

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Abiotic stress:

- high temperature stress

- cold stress

- water stress

- saline stress

- anaerobic stress

- interactions with heavy metals

Biotic stress:

- microbial pathogens

- pests and parasites

- plant defense mechanisms

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Smith et al. Biologia delle piante. Volume 2 - Interazione con l'ambiente. Domesticazione. Zanichelli.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Presentation/test and related discussion

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures. The student will prepare a short computer presentation of about 15 minutes on recent scientific publications selected by the professors.