The course develops a training course able to provide students skills and applicative skills on crops intended in whole or in part for the feeding of domestic animals and on the related cultivation techniques in different pedo-climatic conditions, with particular attention to the semi-arid environment. The skills acquired will make it possible to recognize, cultivate and use forage species, improve the degree of farm self-sufficiency and the quality of forage production taking into account the social, economic and cultural aspects and the existing environmental and landscape constraints.
In particular, at the end of the course, students will be able to:
i) the knowledge and understanding of the bases of the management of Mediterranean forage systems, with particular attention to the choice of species, cultivation techniques aimed at optimizing production performance and the quality of forage resources.
ii) apply knowledge and understanding skills with a professional approach, and possess adequate skills to devise and support arguments aimed at solving problems relating to the rational management of forage resources in the Mediterranean environment;
iii) collect and interpret data and information aimed at independently analyzing the production processes and the effects of agronomic techniques applied to forage systems, critically evaluating their sustainability and scientific and ethical consequences.
iv) communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions relating to topics of agronomic interest to specialists and non-specialists.
v) develop, with specific reference to the contents of the discipline, learning skills that allow them to continue their university studies in subsequent cycles with a high degree of autonomy.
The course will be structured as follows:
If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline.
It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduzione al corso: definizioni, cenni storici, importanza ecologica e ambientale, clima e colture foraggere | Appunti del docente |
2 | Classificazione agronomica delle colture foraggere; la produzione foraggera nel mondo, in Italia e in Sicilia. | Appunti del docente |
3 | Erbai autunno-primaverili di graminacee, di leguminose, di crucifere, miscugli. | Testo di riferimento n. 1, capitolo n. 2, pagine 33-65 |
4 | I trifogli e le mediche annuali dei riposi pascolativi mediterranei. | Appunti del docente |
5 | Erbai primaverili-estivi ed estivi di graminacee, di leguminose, miscugli. | Testo di riferimento n. 1, capitolo n. 2, pagine 66-81 |
6 | Prati avvicendati di leguminose: importanza agronomica ed ecologica, evoluzione storica. | Testi di riferimento n. 4 e 6 |
7 | Prati avvicendati di leguminose: diffusione ed inquadramento sistematico; principali specie e varietà; tecnica colturale; consociazioni ed associazioni prative. | Testo di riferimento n. 1, capitoli n.3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9,10, 11; pagine 83-177 |
8 | Prati avvicendati di graminacee: - diffusione ed inquadramento sistematico - caratteristiche generali - principali specie e varietà - Consociazioni ed associazioni prative. | Testo di riferimento n.1, capitoli n. 13 e 14; pagine 181-237 |
9 | Le popolazioni mediterranee di Dactylis glomerata L. . | Appunti del docente |
10 | Pascoli: definizione e inquadramento; l'ecosistema cotico erboso; la valutazione dei pascoli, metodi di analisi; la vegetazione pastorale ed i metodi di studio; tipologie di vegetazione pastorale . | Testo di riferimento n. 1, capitolo n. 15, paragrafi 1, 2, 3, 4; pagine 239-273 |
11 | Pascoli: produzione, utilizzazione, miglioramento, organizzazione del'attività pastorale. | Testo di riferimento n. 1; capitolo n.15, paragrafi 5, 6,7, 8; pagine 274-293 |
12 | Il sistema foraggero: metodi di studio. | Appunti del docente e testi di riferimento n. 5 |
13 | Casi studio di sistemi foraggeri mediterranei. | Appunti del docente |
The assessment of learning takes place through an oral interview. The evaluation of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and exposition, and the student's ability to reason.
The vote follows the following scheme:
Unsuitable
Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Major shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability of synthesis.
Use of references: Completely inappropriate.
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Just enough skills
Using references: As soon as appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Is able to analyze and synthesize correctly. Argue logically and consistently. Use of references: Use standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Has good ability to analyze and synthesize. The arguments are consistently expressed.
Use of references: Use standard references.
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Has considerable ability to analyze and synthesize.
Use of references: Has investigated the topics.
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: Important insights.
Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, if the conditions require it.
Classification of forage crops.
Areas and production of forage crops in Italy and Sicily.
Description, biology, adaptation and cultivation techniques of a grassland and alternate meadow forage species.
Pastures: typologies, methods of surveying pastoral vegetation and production.
Techniques for improving the production and quality of pasture.