Provide in-depth knowledge on the role, functions and absorption of nutrients in cultivated plants, as well as on the biology, ecology, on the role and impact of weeds in agroecosystems.
Students will acquire skills in fertilization plans and in fertilizer management techniques, as well as on the weeds management in the main Mediterranean crops by physical, mechanical, chemical, ecological, biological means and integrated control.
To study the principles of cultivation of annual and perennial herbaceous plants of potential interest for the production of energy, cellulose pulp and biocomposites in the context of cultivation systems that can be implemented in the Mediterranean environment.
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the necessary skills on the agronomic techniques of the main dedicated biomass crops for the Mediterranean environment, and on the main bioconversion processes for the production of renewable energy and non-energy products in a circular economy perspective.
The course includes 28 hours of frontal lessons (or remotely) and 28 hours of practical lessons (seminars, case studies, such as fertilization plans and weeding plans for specific crops, and visits to some important agri-food companies). 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.
Lectures (28 hours), other activities, such as practical exercises, laboratory visits, group work, didactic experiences in the field (28 hours).
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.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require.
Weed Management
Concept of weed. Adaptation strategies of weeds. Seed-bank. Germination and physiological, environmental and agronomic factors. Population dynamics and agronomic factors affecting them. Damages caused by weeds. Competition between crops and weeds. Critical period of weed competition. Means of weed control, both direct and indirect. Direct means of weed control: mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, ecological and integrated. Herbicides and plant: penetration, translocation, biotransformation, mechanisms of action, selectivity. Environmental dynamics of herbicides. For the most widespread crops in the Mediterranean, will be considered the main weed species and their control techniques.
Fertilization Management
Concept of fertility. Form and dynamics in agroecosystems of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium and magnesium. Micronutrients. Classification of fertilizers and techniques of administration. Fertilization and product quality. Fertilization environmentally friendly. Fertilization in organic farming. Foliar fertilization. Technical and agronomic principles of fertigation. Writing a fertilization program. Fertilization programs for the main Mediterranean crops.
Testo 1: Giardini L., 2012 – L’Agronomia per conservare il futuro. Patron Editore, Bologna.
Testo 2: Ceccon P., Fagnano M., Grignani C., Monti M., Orlandini S. (edited by), 2017 – Agronomia. EdiSES, Napoli.
Testo 3: Perelli M. (edited by), 2009 – Nutrire le piante, trattato di scienza dei fertilizzanti. Arvan.
Testo 4: Catizone P., Zanin G., 2002 – Malerbologia, Patron Editore, Bologna.
Notes and schemes of the lessons provided by the teacher and published on STUDIUM (https://studium.unict.it/dokeos/2021/courses/23081/).