| Mission |
The Laboratory of Phytopathology studies molecular, physiological and ecological aspects of plant pathogenic fungi and biocontrol bacteria and their interaction with host plants. This knowledge contributes to molecular understanding of disease and disease management of fungal and bacterial pathogens. The Laboratory is responsible for teaching and research in Phytopathology ranging from molecular to population. Courses are given at the broad scale (ranging from introductory to very specialised courses), focussed on the interaction between pathogens and host plants. Ecology of pathogens is also covered in courses. Research is focussed on ecological, physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of plant pathogenic fungi and biocontrol bacteria and their interaction with host plants. Research projects cover pathogenicity, virulence, avirulence, resistance and biological control. Attention is paid in research projects to model organisms(e.g. Cladosporium fulvum) but also to economicly important organisms (e.g.Botrytis cinerea, Phytophthora infestans and Mycosphaerella graminicola). In this way there is a good balance between fundamental and strategic research. Also research is carried out on biological control of soil-borne pathogens using Pseudomonas spp. All research programmes are part of the graduate schools Experimental Plant Sciences (theme 2, interactions between plants and bioticagents) and Production Ecology & Resource Conservation (subprogramme 2,growth limiting factors). |
