BIOCHIMICA E FISIOLOGIA DEL SISTEMA SUOLO PIANTA

The course aims to provide the students the necessary tools for the comprehension of the plant responses to the different soil conditions. In particular, the dynamics related to the rhizosphere will be deepened trough the comprehension of the metabolic processes involved in the stress response.

The course is made of 42 hours of frontal lessons in which the student will acquire the basis notions on the aspects of soil fertility and plant nutrition.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Introduction. Soil genesis and evolution. Gas and liquid phase of the soil. Solid phases of the soil: inorganic and organic components. Organic matter: evolution and properties. Physical and morphological characteristics of the soil. Chemical properties of the soil: pH, anion and cation exchange. Soil fertility. Soil-root interactions: the rhizosphere. Radical absorption of water and ions. Nutritional needs of plants. Mechanisms of nutrient uptake and transport. Nitrogen cycle. Phosphorus cycle. Carbon cycle. Photosynthesis. Photorespiration. C4 and CAM plant pathways. Phloem translocation. Secondary metabolism and stress conditions. Signal transduction. Hormones and plant growth regulation.

Text 1: Fondamenti di Chimica del suolo (2017). Sequi, Ciavatta, Miano. Patròn Editore, Bologna.

Text 2: Fisiologia Vegetale (2013). Taiz, Zeiger. Piccin, Padova.

Text 3: Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale (2016). Taiz, Zeiger, Moller, Murphy. Piccin, Padova.

Text 4: Fondamenti di Biochimica agraria (2016). Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Patròn Editore, Bologna.