Sustainable Management of Biotic Resources in Agriculture

Upon completion of this course each student will be able to:
– understand the importance of the plant microbiome in plant growth, productivity and health,
– obtain and seek useful information on the methodologies of modern and classical methods of plant microbiome analysis,
– understand the importance of utilizing microorganisms in improving soil fertility, enhancing plant growth and nutrition in plant protection against plant diseases and pests and plant resistance to abiotic stress (eg drought, salinity, etc.),
– gain knowledge about the methods of management of rhizosphere microorganisms,
– know the different categories of biofertilizers-microbial inoculants, and their characteristics,
– understand the prospects and difficulties of using biofertilizers-microbial inoculants and to become familiar with the methodologies of their development, production and application in agriculture,
– acquire knowledge about the methodologies applied for the commercial production of microbial vaccines,
– know the different categories of microbial pesticides and their characteristics, – gain knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of applying microbial pesticides for a sustainable agriculture,
– understand the importance of utilizing microorganisms in agricultural systems, environmental applications and in the production of products on an industrial scale,
– record, present and analyze research results, combine and correlate research results with the relevant literature in order to be able to evaluate, interpret and propose sustainable solutions for a sustainable agriculture.