Plant Pathology

300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

www.plantpath.iastate.edu
Charlotte R. Bronson, Chair of Department
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Tiffany
University Professors (Emeritus): McNabb
Professors: Braun, Bronson, Gleason, Harrington, Hill, McGee, Miller, Nutter, Tylka, Yang
Professors (Emeritus): Durand, Epstein, Hodges, Norton, Stewart
Professors (Collaborators): Wise
Associate Professors: Baum, Beattie
Assistant Professors: Bogdanove, Robertson, Whitham
Assistant Professors (Collaborators): Block
Senior Lecturers: Halverson

Undergraduate Study

The department participates in the interdepartmental undergraduate Microbiology major; see Agriculture, Curricula. For a second major in pest management see Agriculture, Curricula.

Graduate Study

The department offers studies for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in plant pathology, and minor work for students majoring in other departments or programs. A master of science nonthesis option is available. The department also participates in the interdepartmental majors in microbiology; toxicology; genetics; plant physiology; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; ecology and evolutionary biology; and sustainable agriculture.

Students entering graduate programs in the department need a sound background in the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences as well as adequate preparation in English.

Graduates have a broad understanding of the biology and management of plant pathogenic microorganisms and the interactions of pathogens with their host plants. They understand the relationship between plant pathology and allied disciplines and are able to communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. Graduates are able to address complex plant disease problems facing agricultural and bioscience professionals, taking into account the related ethical, social, legal, and environmental issues. They are skilled in research procedures, communicating research results, and writing concise and persuasive grant proposals.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 416, 483.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

Pl P 391. Practical Plant Health. (0-4) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 6 credits in biological sciences. Diagnosis of all types of plant health problems caused by diseases, insects, weeds, nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, herbicide injury, and environmental stress. Emphasis is on acquiring practical skills. Students will gain experience in written and oral communication.

Pl P 408. Principles of Plant Pathology. (Dual-listed with 508; Same as P M 408.) (2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 8 credits in biological sciences, including Biol 212. Braun. Principles underlying the nature, diagnosis, and management of plant diseases. Laboratory complements lecture topics and provides experience in plant disease diagnosis.

Pl P 416. Forest Insect and Disease Ecology. (Same as For 416, P M 416.) (3-3) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 8 credits in biological sciences, including Biol 211. Harrington. Nature of insects and pathogens of forest and shade trees; their role in the dynamics of natural and managed forest ecosystems; and the management of indigenous and exotic pests. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Pl P 452. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses. (Dual-listed with 552; same as Ent 452, Hort 452.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: Hort 351. Gleason, Lewis D. Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.

Pl P 477. Bacterial-Plant Interactions. (Dual-listed with 577; same as Micro 477.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Beattie. Focuses on plant- associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants; covers symbiotic nitrogen fixation, plant pathogenesis, plant growth promotion, and biological control.

Pl P 483. Wood Deterioration and Preservation. (Same as For 483.) See Forestry. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Pl P 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Junior or senior classification, 7 credits in biological sciences, permission of instructor. A maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.
A. Plant Pathology
H. Honors

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

Pl P 506. Plant-Pathogen Interactions. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 408 or 416, Biol 313. Baum, Whitham. Introduction to mechanisms of plant-parasite interaction. Genetics and molecular genetics of plant disease resistance and pathogenicity.

Pl P 508. Principles of Plant Pathology. (Dual-listed with 408.) (2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 8 credits in biological sciences, including Biol 212. Braun. Principles underlying the nature, diagnosis, and management of plant diseases. Laboratory complements lecture topics and provides experience in plant disease diagnosis.

Pl P 509. Plant Virology. (Same as Micro 509.) (2-6) Cr. 4. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: 408, Biol 454, BBMB 405, Chem 211. Hill. Plant viruses and the diseases they cause. Emphasis on epidemiology and control. Structure, function, and biochemical-biophysical properties of plant viruses.

Pl P 511. Integrated Management of Tropical Crops. (Same as Ent 511, Hort 511.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: 408 or 416 or Ent 370 or 376 or Hort 221. Gleason, Lewis. Applications of Integrated Crop Management principles (including plant pathology, entomology, and horticulture) to tropical cropping systems. Familiarization with a variety of tropical agroecosystems and Costa Rican culture is followed by 10-day tour of Costa Rican agriculture during spring break, then writeup of individual projects. Tour expenses paid by students.

Pl P 530. Ecologically Based Pest Management Strategies. (Same as Agron 530, Ent 530, SusAg 530.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2006. Prereq: SusAg 509. Durable, least-toxic strategies for managing weeds, pathogens, and insect pests, with emphasis on underlying ecological processes.

Pl P 543. Plant Disease Epidemiology. (2-4) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered 2005. Prereq: 408 or 416. Nutter. Theory and practice relating to the quantification of biotic plant stress as affected by the temporal and spatial interaction of host and pathogen populations. Analysis of environmental, ecological, and host and pathogen genetic factors that alter the course of plant disease epidemics. Risk assessment theory and modeling the impact of biotic plant stresses on yield and quality.

Pl P 552. Integrated Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Turfgrasses. (Dual-listed with 452; same as Ent 552, Hort 552.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: Hort 351. Gleason, Lewis D. Identification and biology of important diseases and insect pests of turfgrasses. Development of integrated pest management programs in various turfgrass environments.

Pl P 565. Professional Practice in the Life Sciences. (Same as Agron 565, An S 565, BCB 565, Hort 565, V MPM 565.) Cr. 0.5 per module. S. Prereq: Graduate classification. Professional discourse on the ethical and legal issues facing life science researchers. Offered in modular format; each module is four weeks.
A. Professional Practices in Research. Good scientific practices and professional ethics in the life sciences.
B. Intellectual Property and Industry Interactions. Ethical and legal issues facing life scientists involved in research interactions with industry.
C. Life Science Ethics. Basic principles of moral theory, and ethical issues about the environment, biotechnology, and the appropriate role of scientific experts in public moral debate.

Pl P 574. Plant Nematology. (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2006. Prereq: 408 or 416. Baum. Morphology, anatomy, identification, control, and life cycles of common plant-parasitic nematodes; host-parasite interactions; Caenorhabditis elegans.

Pl P 577. Bacterial-Plant Interactions. (Dual-listed with 477; same as Micro 577.) (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: 3 credits in microbiology or plant pathology. Beattie. Focuses on plant- associated bacteria in terms of their ecology, diversity, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in their interactions with plants; covers symbiotic nitrogen fixation, plant pathogenesis, plant growth promotion, and biological control.

Pl P 590. Special Topics. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 10 credits in biological sciences, permission of instructor.

Pl P 594. Seed Pathology. (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2007. This course will be offered Fall semesters via distance ed. only. Prereq: 408. McGee. Significance of diseases on the major phases of seed production; growing, harvesting, conditioning, storing, and planting seed. Pathogens considered include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and abiotic agents. Emphasis on control, epidemiology, host-parasite relationships, and seed health testing.

Courses for Graduate students

Pl P 608. Molecular Virology. (Same as V MPM 608.) See Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine.

Pl P 643. Natural Toxins. (Same as Tox 643.) See Toxicology.

Pl P 691. Field Plant Pathology. (0-6) Cr. 2 each time taken. Alt. SS., offered 2005. Prereq: 408 or 416. Diagnosis of plant diseases, plant disease assessment methods, and the integration of disease management into commercial crop production practices. Objectives are to familiarize students with common diseases of Midwest crops and landscape plants, and to provide experience in disease diagnosis. Field trips include commercial operations, agricultural research facilities, and ornamental plantings.

Pl P 692. Molecular Biology of Plant-Pathogen Interactions. (Same as Micro 692.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: 506 or BBMB 405 or Gen 411 or Micro 402 or course in molecular biology. Bogdanove, Whitham. Molecular and physiological mechanisms of plant disease and resistance. Host-pathogen recognition and response, resistance gene function, signal transduction, Agrobacterium, virus-host interactions.

Pl P 694. Colloquium in Plant Pathology. (2-0) Cr. 2 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: 408 or 416, permission of instructor. Advanced topics in plant pathology, including biological control, cultural control, risk assessment of resistance gene deployment, genetic engineering for disease resistance, chemical control, tropical diseases, fungal genetics, insect vector biology, and professional communications.

Pl P 698. Seminar. Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S.

Pl P 699. Thesis and Dissertation Research. Cr. var. F.S.SS.