Pre-requisite: 62103
Pre-requisite: 62212(recommended)
The defining characteristics of fungi and their major taxonomic groups are described and illustrated in laboratory-based tutorials and a field trip which link theory and observation. Experiments exploring aspects of plant-pathogen interactions are strongly supported by discussion of the underlying concepts controlling infection, disease development and disease spread. In particular the ability of plants to resist disease and the nature of resistance genes are discussed together with strategies for protecting commercial crops against disease.