Plant Pathogenic fungi is designed to meet special needs of graduate students in plant pathology, but it might be of interest to students in plant biology, food science, or biology who meet the entry level requirements. The course deals with advanced topics in the systematics, morphology, and ecology of the fungi. In addition to providing an understanding of the fungi, the course is intended to make mycology useful tool to the plant pathologist.

Students should have a background at the level provided by Introductory Mycology (PBI 119).

Three lecture and two laboratory periods per week.

Special assignments:

Importance of mycological studies to plant pathology

Basic morphological concepts of the fungi

Fungal nomenclature and the International Botanical Code

Techniques used to study the fungi

Sexuality in the fungi

Biological basis of reproduction in the fungi

Species concepts and speciation

Phylogenetic relationships among the major groups of fungi

Evolution in the classification of the Fungi Imperfecti

Discussion of the works of Saccardo, Hughes, Ellis, etc.

Concept of the conidioma

The role of sclerotia in the classification and ecology of plant pathogenic fungi

Problems in the classification of fungi: pleomorphism, ontogeny, genetic variation

The role of the stroma in the classification of plant pathogenic fungi

The role of the ascus and centrum characters in the taxonomy of the Pyrenomycetes

Concept of the apothecium

Morphology, taxonomy, and ecology of selected groups: (e.g., Hyphomycetes, Coelomycetes, Pyrenomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes, Urendineomycetes, Oomycetes).

Laboratories are devoted to comparative morphology, identification of species using keys and literature, ecological adaptations, and analysis of species criteria in selected groups of plant pathogenic fungi.

Potential course overlap:

None. Occasional topics may overlap with other Plant Pathology courses (e.g., PLP215 or PLP130).