FERTILITA' DEL SUOLO E NUTRIZIONE DELLE PIANTE

The course aims to provide the students a general comprehension of the chemical-physical and bio-ecological properties of the soil and the plant biochemistry. The student at the end of the course will get the skills and the abilities to evaluate the soil fertility, from a chemical, physical and biological viewpoint, and implement strategies to manage it or to increase it according to the target of production fixed and/or environmental need.

Knowledge and understanding
The course will provide students with the necessary chemical and biochemical concepts to understand the functioning of the soil-plant system, as well as the metabolic processes that regulate life. In particular the student will learn:
- the molecular composition of ecosystems.
- the molecular basis of various biotic and abiotic processes that occur within.
- the mechanisms that regulate the availability of nutrients.

Applying knowledge and understanding
The course will enable students to:
- use soil characteristics, environmental conditions and plant characteristics to deduce nutrient availability for the plant.
- plan the necessary actions required to determine the soil properties of a agricultural farm.
- solve simple problems regarding the soil system.

Making judgements
The course will enable students to:
- critically assess and evaluate the physical, biological and chemical fertility of a farm's soils.
 
Communication skills
The course will enable students to:
- adopt appropriate scientific terminology when referring to the soil-plant systems.
- write a detailed professional report on the fertility characteristics of a soil.

The course is made of:

- Frontal lessons (21 hours) in which the student acquires the basis notions on the aspects of soil fertility and plant nutrition;

- Application part (42 hours) (laboratory exercitations and/or on field experience) by transferring the theoretical concepts to practical experiences by examples allowing the student to acquire greater mastery of the subject to complete the training process.

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 professor Anna De Angelis.

Introduction to the soil–plant system Liquid and gaseous phases of the soil. Clay minerals and Fe and Al oxides. Structure and properties; organic matter: evolution and properties. Biological component of the soil; physical properties of the soil; cation and anion exchange; soil pH. Soils with abnormal pH reactions and their correction. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycles, and the nutritional requirements of plants. Mechanisms of nutrient uptake and the plant root and vascular systems. Introduction to plant biochemistry. Plant cell and leaf anatomy. Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions, Calvin cycle, photorespiration, and C4 and CAM plant cycles. Cellular respiration: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Field trip and/or classroom and laboratory exercises.

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

Text 2: Fondamenti di Biochimica agraria (2016). Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Patròn Editore, Bologna

Both textbooks are required for studying the subject, together with the slides presented by the instructor during lectures, which will be made available on the Studium platform.

All students will be required to take two intermediate oral examinations, one at mid-course and one at the end of the course. Students who pass both exams with a minimum grade of 18/30 will be exempt from the final oral examination; their final grade will be the average of the two intermediate assessments. Students who fail one of the two exams, or do not take the intermediate assessments, will be required to take a final oral examination covering the entire course content.
Assessment may also be conducted online if circumstances require it.

The score assignment follows the adopted scheme:

Not suitable for passing examination

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

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

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

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills

Use of references: As appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently

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 topics are expressed consistently

Using references: Use standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has well explored 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.

1)       What is the concept of soil fertility?

2)       How is soil defined?

3)       What are soil horizons?

4)       Describe a soil profile.

5)       How does water move through soil?

6)       Gaseous and liquid phases of soil.

7)       The soil colloidal system.

8)       Types of silicates.

9)       What are phyllosilicates? Describe a tetrahedron and an octahedron.

10)    Iron and aluminum oxides.

11)    What is the coordination number, and what are isomorphic substitutions?

12)    Variable surface charges.

13)    What is the net charge of a clay mineral, and what is the point of zero charge (PZC)?

14)    Montmorillonite.

15)    Kaolinite.

16)    Mineralization and humification of soil organic matter.