PROTECTED CULTIVATION

The course is aimed at training specialists capable to analyse problems and evaluate possible options to get production from crops produced under modified micro-climatic conditions. These specialists will be able to put into practice the skills acquired with the purpose of planning and managing out-of-season production processes through the use of appropriate protection and suitable production techniques.

At the end of the course the student will be able to design and manage crops in a protected environment.

Lectures, practical activity, case study discussion, field visit

- The protected cultivation in Italy and in the world . general and historical figures, diffusion and economic importance. - Presupposition and objectives of protected cultivations . biological: the needs of the crops; . environmental: the climate and its variations; . agronomic: quantity and quality of production, stability of yields.

- The microclimate under protected cultivation and its effects on crop response.

- Classification, agronomic meaning and management of mean, techniques and structures of protection.

- Choice of species and cultivars.

- Production scheduling.

- The most significant aspects of the agronomic technique under protected environment: . soil preparation and interventions to change its characteristics; . plant pruning and training; . plant growth regulators; . growing media; . soilless cultivation.

- Specific aspects on the greenhouse cultivation of tomato, melon, chrysanthemum, poinsettia.

1 - Slides presented and discussed during lectures

2 - A.A.V.V. Good agricultural practices for greenhouse vegetable crops. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 217. 2013.

3 - Stanghellini C., van't Ooster B., Heuvelink Ep.. Greenhouse horticulture. Wageningen Academic Publisher 2019.

4 - Romano Tesi - Colture protette. Calderini Edagricole