On 15 and 23 April 2025, in cooperation with the Central Library of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, we organised field trips for the first-year students of the Secondary Vocational School of Viticulture and Pomology in Modra.
The main aim of the excursion was to present our many years of research into phytopathogenic fungi that attack fruit and ornamental trees and at the same time to show how scientific findings can be applied in practise. The students were given an introduction to the history of our institution and the research into fungi of the genera Erysiphe and Taphrina. During the introductory lecture, we introduced them to the basic methods used to study these fungi and explained how we use current and historical data to understand their distribution and model their possible occurrence in the future.
The lecture was followed by a tour of the Department of Microbial and Plant Interactions, including the herbarium collections with examples of documented specimens. As part of the practical demonstrations, students visited a microscopy laboratory where they were able to examine Taphrina-infected fruit tree leaves and observe their microscopic structure. The demonstration also included microscopic images of infected plant tissue and fungal cells. In the cultivation lab, students tested the basics of maintaining and growing Taphrina yeast cultures. In the molecular lab, they then practically tested the visualisation of Taphrina DNA by applying it to an agarose gel and then illuminating it with UV light.
There was an excellent atmosphere throughout the event and the students showed interest in the topics presented, which we were very pleased about. We would like to thank all participants for their attendance! Organizing team:
PSBC: Miroslav Caboň, Michaela Caboňová, Gabriela Kozárová, Kamila Bacigálová
Central Library of the Slovak Academy of Sciences: Katarína Hrnčiarová
SVSVP Modra: Jozef Izakovič
