Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science
Head: Boris A. Vinatzer
Professors: J. F. Derr, J. D. Eisenback, E. A. Grabau, R. Grene, C. Hong, C. S. Johnson, D.B. Langston Jr., J. M. McDowell, D. G. Schmale III, B. A. Vinatzer, J. H. Westwood, and K. S. Yoder
Associate Professors: S. D. Askew, M. Balota, J. N. Barney, A. B. Baudoin, E. Colláková, J. G. Jelesko, G. Pilot, and S. L. Rideout
Assistant Professors: C. W. Cahoon, M. L. Flessner, D. C. Haak, H. L. Mehl, M. Nita, and X. Wang
Special Research Faculty: E. A. Bush, D. S. McCall, and S. Y. Park
Instructor: M. A. Hansen
Web: www.ppws.vt.edu
Overview
The primary mission of the department is research, extension and graduate education in the areas of plant pathology (nature, biology and control of plant diseases), plant physiology, and weed science (weed biology and control, action of herbicides). No undergraduate majors are offered in these areas, but the department does offer an undergraduate minor in Plant Health Sciences, focused on managing plant health in response to a variety of biotic and abiotic threats. These threats include pathogens, weeds, insects and environmental stressors (drought, heat, cold, pollutants, nutrients) that impact our food crops, forests, and landscape plants; students in the Departments of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Horticulture, Biological Sciences, or Biochemistry are most likely to enroll in this minor, but students in other departments may participate as well if they have the prerequisite freshman biology and chemistry courses. Consult the department office (413 Price) or web site (www.ppws.vt.edu) for more information on the minor. Several undergraduate courses offered by the department are also required or electives for students in agricultural or biological majors. These courses are designed to furnish basic knowledge of the nature, diagnosis, and control of plant diseases; identification, biology, and control of weeds; plant metabolism, nutrition, molecular biology, and growth regulation; and modern pest management and pesticide usage.
The department offers graduate programs leading to M.S. in the life sciences and Ph.D. in plant pathology, plant physiology and weed science. A non-thesis M.S. program in plant protection and pest management is also available (see Graduate Catalog).
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (PPWS)
2004: MYSTERIOUS MUSHROOMS, MALICIOUS MOLDS
Study of the fungi and their close
relatives, with special attention to their roles in the
natural world and in shaping the course of human history.
Historical and practical
significance of fungi as sources of medicine, pathogens of
plants and animals, rotters and decayers of organic matter,
makers of food and drink, manufacturers of dangerous
toxins, and producers of mind-altering chemicals. A student
must have a basic understanding of biology.
(3H,3C)
2104: PLANTS, GENES, AND PEOPLE
Explores how and why humans have
manipulated plant genomes from prehistory through the
current genomic era by examining the scientific,
cultural, historical, and legal aspects of plant gene
management in both conventional and transgenic crops.
Pre: BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1105.
(3H,3C)
2964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3504: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND THE BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT
Course explores how both agricultural and non-crop plants
grow, develop, and respond to biotic environmental
influences. Topics include symbiotic and pathogenic
microorganisms, herbivores, phytoremediation, parasitic
plants, and weeds. The scope ranges from biochemical,
cellular, tissue, to whole plant physiology. Course includes
an experimental project in plant physiology on one of the
topics.
Pre: (BIOL 1006 or BIOL 2304), CHEM 1036.
(3H,3C)
3514: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY LAB
A laboratory course designed to illustrate basic
physiological principles related to nutrient deficiencies,
membrane permeability and composition, water/nutrient
absorption and translocation, transpiration, photosynthesis,
physiological functions of growth regulators, enzyme
activity, and elemental composition of plant tissue. Course
requirements may be satisfied by taking PPWS 3504 or CSES
4344 prior to or concurrent with this course.
(3L,1C)
3754: WEEDS THAT SHAPE OUR WORLD
Introduction to weed management methods, weed
characteristics- chemistry, morphology and reproduction,
and the economic and social factors that both drive and
limit efforts to control plant populations. Identification
of weed species.
Pre: (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1105 or BIOL 1205H), (BIOL 1006 or BIOL 1106 or BIOL 1206H).
(3H,3C)
4104: PLANT PATHOLOGY
Introduction to plant pathology as a science and a crop
protection discipline. Plant disease diagnosis, biology,
and identification of plant disease-causing agents, factors
leading to disease build-up, and management of plant
diseases. Diseases of specific crops are studied as examples
to illustrate general principles.
Pre: (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1105), (BIOL 1006 or BIOL 1106).
(3H,3L,4C)
4114: MICROBE FORENSICS/BIOSECURITY
Concepts of comparative and evolutionary genomics for
pathogen characterization and identification taught through
case studies of bioterrorism, involuntary and voluntary
disease transmission, infectious disease epidemics, and
genetically modified organisms; emphasis placed on
unambiguous source attribution of a disease outbreak to a
particular microbe, risk assessment, response as individual,
community, and nation to a bioterrorism attack or disease
outbreak, federal biosecurity regulations, and career
opportunities.
Pre: BIOL 2604, (BIOL 2104 or BIOL 2004).
(3H,3C)
4264 (ENT 4264): PESTICIDE USAGE
An interdisciplinary study of pesticides used in urban and
agricultural environments. Topics studied will include:
classification, toxicology, formulation, application
techniques, safety, legal considerations, environmental
impact, and research and development of new pesticides.
Pre: CHEM 2515 or CHEM 2536.
(2H,3L,3C)
4504: FUNDAMENTALS OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Fundamental principles of plant physiology (photosynthesis,
respiration, transpiration, nutrition, translocation, and
development) will be integrated with discussion of the
relationship between abiotic environmental factors and plant
physiological processes. Both agricultural and non-crop
plants will be emphasized.
Pre: (BIOL 1006 or BIOL 2304), CHEM 1036.
(3H,3C)
4604: BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
Broad overview of the causes, consequences, and epidemiology
of invasive plants, animals, and microbes. Conceptual,
mechanistic, societal, and political components of invasive
species from Darwin to modern day, covering the invasion
process from introduction to ecological or economic impact.
Taxonomy, management, and risk assessment will be covered
via case studies, within a policy context.
Pre: BIOL 1105, BIOL 1106.
(2H,3L,3C)
4754: WEED SCIENCE: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
Weeds and human affairs; costs and losses; emphasis on
weed biology, weed identification and weed-crop ecology;
agronomic, physiological, and chemical principles underlying
prevention, eradication, and control of undesired
vegetation; methods of weed control available for modern
agronomic, forestry, horticultural, and non-crop situations.
Pre: BIOL 2304, CHEM 1036.
(2H,3L,3C)
4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.