SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEM

Modulo MANAGEMENT OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER

Knowledge and understanding: the course aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of natural organic matter

and nutrients, in order to understand the factors that regulate plant growth, also as a function of environmental changes that lead

to new scenarios. At the end of the course, the student will have a broad knowledge of the dynamics of organic matter and

nutrients present in the agronomic soils, as well as the nutritional properties of the soil-plant system. Furthermore, the student will

acquire information on the possible use of organic waste matrices, raw or treated, in order to increase the soil organic

component.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the knowledge acquired will allow students to 1) know the factors that

influence soil fertility, the main threats depending on the type of land use, climate, agronomic practices, as well as other anthropic

and environmental factors; 2) know the main actions useful for counteracting the loss of soil fertility or improving it and

understand the impacts that land and soil management can have on soil fertility; 3) independently collect data, using various

available sources, to evaluate the state of soil fertility; 4) connect the data collected and field investigations to the environmental,

pedological and agricultural context of reference.

Making judgement: teaching aims to provide critical and judgmental skills through lectures and all other theoretical-practical

activities (laboratories, seminars held by external experts, technical visits); the student must also be able to evaluate and

interpret experimental and literature data.

Communication skills: attending lessons and reading recommended texts will help the student in the acquisition and use of

technical language.

Learning skills: teaching aims to provide useful tools to students to keep their knowledge and skills updated in order to

undertake futher studies with a high degree of autonomy.

The course will include:

21 hours frontal lessons

42 hours other activities (in classroom and/or in laboratory and/or educational visits).

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 be done remotely if necessary.

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 Inclusion - Services for

Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of Prof. Anna De Angelis. 

None

Strongly recommended

Evolution of soil organic matter; mineralization and humification processes; humic substances; influence of organic matter on soil

chemical, physical and biological properties; role of pedofauna and microorganisms in the evolution of soil organic matter;

composting process; characteristics and possible use of sewage sludge; analytical methods for the study of soil organic matter.

Teaching contributes to the pursuit of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030 through lectures,

dedicated seminars, workshops and educational visits:

GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER

Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase

productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme

weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in

accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize

their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND

Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems

and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international

agreements.

Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore

degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought

and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

Target 15.4: By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their

capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.

Verification of learning takes place through an oral interview. Learning assessment may be done remotely if necessary. 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, synthesis and exposition properties, and the student's reasoning ability.

Voting follows the following scheme:

Not suitable 

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies. 

Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections. 

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just sufficient skills. 

Use of references: As appropriate.

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Able to correctly analyze and summarize. Argue logically and coherently.

Using references: Use standard references.

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed coherently.

Using references: Use standard references.

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has considerable analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of references: He explored the topics in depth.

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has considerable analysis and synthesis skills.

Using references: Important insights.

 Composition of soil organic matter

Agronomic importance of soil organic matter

Humification process

Influence of organic matter on the physical properties of soil

Influence of humic substances on the chemical properties of soil

Composting process