Information Package / Course Catalogue
Fungal Antagonists and Their Utilization in the Management of Plant Pathogens
Course Code: ZBK509
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 6
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to compare all interactions between antagonistic fungi microorganisms and plants, to analyze the causes and consequences of changes in disease cycle as a result of their interactions with plant pathogenic species, to introduce the main principles of biological control of plant diseases and the effect mechanisms understand in biological control, and to provide classification and interpretation of successful benefical fungi microorganisms.

Course Content

The general information on the fungal antagonists, Some fundamental concepts on biological control with plant diseases, mechanisms of biological control against pathogens: effects through direct and indirect, Host-pathogen interaction, Collectting plant and soil samples from the field to be used in biological control research, Isolation of potential antagonistic fungi from the collected samples, Experimental demonstration of some biological control mechanisms, in vitro tests for the selection of the most effective potential antagonist fungi, establishment of in vivo and field assays.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To be able to evaluate the general definitions and historical development of fungal antagonists
2.Analysis and the isolation of fungal antagonists
3.Observing mechanisms of antagonists in biological control of pathogens
4.Analysis and interpretation of the results of in vitro, pot, and field experiments with antagonists
5.Ability to comment on what needs to be done to be successful in biological control
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Bora, T. ve Özaktan, H., 1998. Bitki Hastalıklanyla Biyolojik Savaş. PrizmaMatbaası, İzmir, 2005.
2.Cook,J.R.,K.F.Baker,1983. The nature and Practice of Biological Control, Cambridge University Pres, APS,St Paul Minnesota,pp 539.
3.Jogaiah, S. 2021. Biocontrol Agents and Secondary Metabolites. Woodhead Publishing, New Delhi, 110002, India. pp.694.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Definitions: the concepts of pathogens and antagonists, biological control, and its historical development
Week 1 - Practice
Retrieving information on pathogenic and antagonistic fungi from different Web-based databases
Week 2 - Theoretical
The role and importance of biological control in the management of plant diseases
Week 2 - Practice
Analysis of proportional changes in biological control research publications indexed in academic databases
Week 3 - Theoretical
Fungal antagonists and commercial products
Week 3 - Practice
Exploring fungal-based biopesticides registered in Türkiye and worldwide through the BKÜ database
Week 4 - Theoretical
Direct interaction mechanisms between pathogens and antagonists: antibiosis and parasitism
Week 4 - Practice
Conducting in vitro assays for the evaluation of antibiosis and parasitism
Week 5 - Theoretical
Direct interaction mechanisms between pathogens and antagonists: competition (nutrients and space), hypovirulence
Week 5 - Practice
In vitro evaluation of antagonistic interactions based on competition
Week 6 - Theoretical
Indirect interaction mechanisms between pathogens and antagonists: induction of plant resistance (Quiz)
Week 6 - Practice
Utilization of host plant databases to identify genes involved in plant resistance induction
Week 7 - Theoretical
Indirect interaction mechanisms between pathogens and antagonists: cross-protection
Week 7 - Practice
Utilizing host plant databases to identify genes involved in plant resistance induction
Week 8 - Theoretical
Biological control against soilborne diseases and examples
Week 8 - Practice
Application of inoculation methods for soilborne fungal pathogens under in vivo conditions
Week 9 - Theoretical
Biological control strategies against phyllosphere-associated plant diseases and examples
Week 9 - Practice
Application of inoculation Methods in plant for phyllosphere-associated fungal pathogens under in vivo conditions
Week 10 - Theoretical
Isolation methods and identification of fungal antagonists
Week 10 - Practice
Collection of plant and soil samples from agricultural production areas
Week 11 - Theoretical
Production and preservation methods of fungal antagonists in culture media
Week 11 - Practice
Isolation of antagonistic fungi from plant and soil samples
Week 12 - Theoretical
How should an antagonist be selected on the path to commercialization? What are the criteria?
Week 12 - Practice
Obtaining pure cultures and single-spore isolates of antagonistic fungi
Week 13 - Theoretical
Variability in the field performance of biological control agents and management of failures
Week 13 - Practice
Analysis and interpretation of results from in vitro and pot experiments with antagonists
Week 14 - Theoretical
Registration processes for biopreparations
Week 14 - Practice
Presentations
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Presentation1%10
Quiz1%10
Midterm Examination1%10
Final Examination1%70
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Lecture - Practice142256
Quiz1415
Midterm Examination112113
Final Examination119120
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)150
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
OÇ-1
OÇ-2
5
5
5
OÇ-3
5
3
5
OÇ-4
5
5
5
5
OÇ-5
4
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026