Department of Plant Pathology

University of Zagreb :: Faculty of Agriculture

Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Pavilion IV, Ground Floor
Fax: +385 (0)1 239 3730

Present activities

In the Department we are dealing with scientific and applied research in fields of Phytomicology, Phytobacteriology and Phytovirology as well as with plant disease diagnostics (both conventional and molecular).

Simultaneously, one of the areas involved is Phytopharmacy (researching efficacy of conventional, bio- and enzymatic fungicides, bio-agents, biotechnical compounds, resistance of plant pathogens, etc.).

Research and production services

Isolation and identification of plant pathogens through conventional laboratory techniques, serological and contemporary molecular techniques;

Preparation of nutritious substrates for microorganisms cultivation;

Microphotography;

Recommendations for control of plant pathogens;

Monitoring and forecasting of fire blight;

Analysis of seeds and planting material health.

Research infrastructure

Phytomicology Lab & Collection of isolates of fungi:

Isolation, cultivation and identification of phytopathogenic fungi by conventional methods, researching of resistance to fungicides, incapsulation of mycological bio-factors into bio-preparates.

Phytobacetriology Lab & Collection of bacterial isolates:

Isolation, cultivation and determination of bacterial plant pathogens, molecular marker analysis, monitoring and forecasting of fire blight.

Phytovirology Lab, Collection of woody indicators (in vivo) needed for testing for the presence of viruses infecting grapevine & Collection of grapevines (in vivo) for preservation of grapevine viruses.

Historical review of the department of plant pathology

Department of Plant Pathology was established in 1919 when the Economical-Forestry Faculty started with programs. The lectures about plant disease begun with professor Fran Jesenko (1919-1920) and soon taken over by professor Vladimir Škorić )1921-1947). Prof. Škorić was extraordinary scientist at that time as earned his abundant knowledge thru specialisation in Holand and USA. Papers he published in that period are well acknowledged and quoted to this day. As truthful erudite and polyglot (connoisseur of 16 languages) he received many specialised journals and established thematic library appreciated in region. Prof. Škorić was followed by another great figure in plant pathology, prof. Josip Kišpatić (1947-1987). As he was going ahead with new solutions in managing plant diseases he designed a novel course, the Fungicides. His contribution to the introduction of fungicides for seed treatment is especially significant. Prof. Kišpatić was appreciated as great teacher and his course teaching was recognized by all generations of students he taught. He also left behind a number of course books as he wrote easily and knew how to deliver dryasdust matter captivating for the reader. From 1947 to 1981 his co-workers was prof. Ivanka Milatović. She was an excellent taxonomist of pathogenic fungi and her great legacy are the first descriptions of fungi in Croatia. In 1948 (until 1986) a team welcomed prof. Ana Šarić who expand field of virology (she established the virology laboratory) and hers achievements were acknowledged abroad. The name of a higher associate Velimir Seiwert B.Sc. (1959-1982) should be emphasizing because he worked at the Department in the field of phytopharmacy but extended to the weed control. His contribution to weed control on railway lines is to be especially noted. The successor of prof. Kišpatić on the Dept's chairman position till 2010 was prof. Bogdan Cvjetković and as mentor of courses in plant pathology and phytofarmacy. In 2001 he started new course, Plant Virology and Phytopathogenic Bacteria. He was one of the promoters of Croatian Society of Plant Protection and its first president. Furthermore, he was instrumental in initiating the journal Glasilo biljne zaštite (official journal of CSPP) become scientific as its editor in chief since 2008, the position he hold till. He has served as associate editor in boards of several journals: Phytopathologia Mediterranea, Agronomski glasnik, Poljoprivredna znanstvena smotra, Zaštita bilja Beograd. He made lot of efforts in organising courses for non-science audience (growers, extension services). His work in the field of plant pathology was recognized by a number of awards including the National Science Award of the Republic of Croatia - Annual Science Award (2002).