Plants Get Sick Too
Did you know that plants also get diseases that can cause global impacts on both the plants and the societies that depend on them? In this class we will explore some of the most devastating plant epidemics throughout history. We will explore the role that potato late blight played in history, the history and the ongoing threat of wheat stem rust, how the world's coffee production has been and is being threatened by coffee rust, and several other major plant diseases. Expect to learn something about the types of pathogens that infect plants, the damage they do, and how they alter both natural and agricultural ecosystems -- sometimes with devastating consequences for humans and other species.Dr. Mary Handley is a Professor Emerita of Integrated Science and Technology at JMU. Her background includes study and work in plant pathology, horticulture and plant science, environmental science, sustainable agriculture, and chemistry.
Please contact our office regarding availability of this course:
540-568-4253
pce@jmu.edu