Institute of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Sara E. Legler

Piacenza, where is it?

The main courses in Plant Pathology

Basic plant pathology

Grapevine diseases

Biological and integrated disease management

Epidemiology and disease modelling

Plant Pathology section - Theaching

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The main research topics

• Epidemiology and modeling of plant diseases

Plant Pathology section - Research

• Bio Control Agents in IPM

• Mycotoxin producing fungi

Plant Pathology section - Research

Barbera Croatina

Malvasia diCandia aromatica

OrtrugoSurface: 6300 HaWine production: 227638 HL

Viticulture in Piacenza

Plant Pathology section – Spin-off company

Aim:-> increase the value of research through transferring the technological innovation to practical agriculture at national and international level, with emphasis for increasing crop yield and quality, reducing the environmental impact and preserving food safety.

Horta meets these objectives by developing:

• new cropping strategies, methods and products,

• Decision Support Systems (DSSs) based on new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for integrated crop production.

Plant Pathology section – Spin-off company

• Wheat: diseases (rusts, powdery mildew, fusarium head scab, mycotoxins) and agronomic technical advices (density of seeds at drilling, nitrogen fertilization, weed control)

• Apple and pear scab

• Leaf curl of peaches

• Grape: diseases (DM, PM,insects) and agronomic technical advices.

Coming soon: Tomato and rice DSS!

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Modeling approach and applications

Define the model

purpose

Conceptualize the model

Develop the mathematical

framework

Evaluate the model

verificationvalidation

uncertainty analysis

sensitivity analysis judgement of

utility

problem to be addressed

stakeholdersintended use

model boundaries

Draw the model diagram

Making assumptions

Define complexity

Testing

conceptual model

driving models

Implement in DSS

Model development

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