SISTEMI COLTURALI IN AMBIENTE PROTETTO
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: CLAUDIO CANNATAExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: The student will know and understand the general characteristics of cropping systems in protected environments, their historical development and diffusion, the types of structures and systems, and the related protection means. The student will also understand plant requirements with respect to climate, soil and nutrition, the biological bases governing production under modified microclimatic conditions, and cultivation techniques in soil and soilless systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to analyse microclimatic constraints and to evaluate and apply biological, technical and engineering solutions suitable for obtaining crop production in protected environments. The student will also be able to schedule production, to develop and manage a crop calendar, to manage production processes in protected cropping systems sustainably through suitable protection means and appropriate production techniques, and to plan the harvest and post-harvest phases of horticultural and floricultural products.
Making judgements: The student will be able to compare alternative technical solutions in terms of economic and environmental sustainability and to make cropping and management decisions based on technical and scientific criteria.
Communication skills: The student will be able to present concepts, methods and results related to cropping systems in protected environments clearly and with appropriate language, discussing their technical and scientific aspects with specialists in the field.
Learning skills: The student will be able to keep up to date independently on regulations and technological innovations in the sector.
Course Structure
The course is structured over 63 hours, of which 21 hours are lectures and 42 hours are other activities. It includes lectures, practical exercises, case study discussions, and field visits. To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the learning objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP representative (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders, SLD) of the Di3A Department.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus
Required Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biology (in particular plant biology and physiology) and mathematics (elementary calculus, ratios, units of measurement), as well as general notions of agronomy, horticulture and floriculture, and the nursery and ornamental plant industry, is considered useful for learning the subject. Such knowledge is to be understood as useful but not essential: it facilitates the understanding of the topics covered, but it is not a binding requirement for attending the course.
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The course explores cropping systems in protected environments, starting from structures and moving on to the integrated management of production. It examines the history, diffusion and economic role of protected cultivation, the types of greenhouses, the criteria for siting and sizing, and covering materials. It then covers the microclimate, radiative and thermal balance, climate control systems, and plant requirements in terms of climate, soil and nutrition.
The second part is devoted to soilless systems, both open-loop and closed-loop, with a focus on fertigation. It also covers sensors, decision support systems (DSS), IoT, automation and precision cropping, including indicators of water and energy efficiency.
A dedicated module addresses vertical farms: types and layouts, LED lighting, environmental control, energy management, suitable crop species, and economic and environmental assessment. This is followed by in-depth study of inputs in advanced systems, such as biostimulants, biofortification and the carbon balance.
The course concludes with production diversification: choice of species and cultivars, crop scheduling, and the production of small fruits, microgreens and baby leaf.
Textbook Information
1. Mezzi di protezione per l'ortofloro-frutticoltura ed il vivaismo. Tesi R., Edagricole. ISBN: 88-206-4247-6
2. Colture in Serra. Tecnologie per una ottimale coltura in serra. C. Stanghellini, B. van't Ooster, E. Heuvelink, Arvan srl, 2025. ISBN: 978-90-8686-329-7
3. Colture fuori suolo. Idroponica e coltivazione in substrato. L. Incrocci, F. Malorgio, D. Massa, A. Pardossi, Edagricole, 2022. ISBN: 885065572X
Other teaching materials that will be made available to students include:
- Copies of the PowerPoint presentations shown during lectures and seminars.
- Scientific articles and other teaching materials provided by the instructor, including any links and/or popular science articles to consult.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to protected cropping systems.Protected crops: history, spread, economic role.Siting, sizing, orientation; covering materials.Microclimate, natural light, radiative and thermal balance. | 1-2-4 |
| 2 | Soilless systems | 2-3-4 |
| 3 | Vertical farmsConcepts, types, and multilevel layoutsArtificial lighting: spectra, photoperiod, efficiencyEnvironmental control, automation, and energy managementSuitable species, yield per unit area, system limits | 2-4 |
| 4 | Environmental control, monitoring, and precision management | 1-2-4 |
| 5 | Inputs in advanced systems | 2-3-4 |
| 6 | Production planning and diversification | 2-4 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Learning will be assessed through an oral examination, aimed at verifying that the expected learning outcomes have been achieved. The examination will cover the topics of the syllabus: structures and protection means, microclimate, soilless systems, sensors and DSS, vertical farms, advanced inputs and production diversification. It may include the analysis of application cases, such as the choice of technical solutions, microclimate management or the planning of a crop calendar.
The following will be assessed:
- - knowledge and understanding of the contents and the level of depth reached;
- - the ability to apply knowledge to the analysis of microclimatic and management constraints and to the choice of appropriate technical solutions;
- - independence of judgement
- - the ability to synthesise and organise information and to link different topics of the syllabus;
- - the relevance of the answers to the questions asked;
- - clarity of presentation and command of technical language
Voto
Inglese
|
Non idoneo |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations Use of references: completely inappropriate |
|
18-20 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate Use of references: just appropriate |
|
21-23 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner Using references: use standard references |
|
24-26 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently Using references: use of standard references |
|
27-29 |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth |
|
30-30 e lode |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis Use of references: important insights |
Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- Describe nocturnal thermal inversion in a greenhouse: under what weather conditions does it occur, what does it depend on, and what are its consequences for the crop? Indicate the strategies to limit it.
- Define VPD (vapour pressure deficit) and explain why it is a more useful descriptor than relative humidity in greenhouse management.
- Compare natural ventilation, forced ventilation and evaporative cooling (pad and fan, fogging) in terms of effectiveness, water consumption and VPD control.
- In a closed system, the EC (electrical conductivity) of the drainage solution progressively increases: what are the causes, which ions accumulate, and how would you intervene?
- In a greenhouse with insufficient natural light, when is artificial lighting worthwhile? Compare HPS (high-pressure sodium) and LED lamps in terms of efficiency, heat emission and spectrum.
- Compare FDR (frequency domain reflectometry) sensors and tensiometers for irrigation management in substrate: measured quantity, advantages and limitations. Which would you choose for a coconut coir substrate, and why?