GESTIONE SOSTENIBILE DELLE RISORSE IDRICHE IN AGRICOLTURA

Knowledge and understanding abilities:

Students will acquire knowledge of the theoretical principles regarding on the sustainable management of water resources in agriculture, including the fundamentals of agricultural hydraulics and watershed hydrology. They will be able to understand concepts related to the design and evaluation of irrigation systems as well as methodologies for estimating and measuring the crop water requirements. In addition, students will gain theoretical understanding of nature-based solutions (NBS) for treating and reusing non-conventional water resources, water harvesting and recovering systems.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding abilities:

Students will acquire theoretical knowledge to design efficient irrigation systems. They will use appropriate techniques for calculating the crop water requirements. Furthermore, they will be able to integrate NBS and other approaches for the treatment and reuse of non-conventional water resources in the agricultural context.

Making judgements:

Students will make critical judgment and autonomy in analysing different approaches for sustainable management of water resources in agriculture. They will be able to assess the technical feasibility of numerous solutions, including NBS, also taking into account environmental and social impacts. In addition, they will be able to make informed decisions on how to optimize the use of water resources under specific local conditions.

Communication skills:

Students will acquire communication skills on concepts related to water resource management in agriculture, both in written and oral form. They will be able to present in a clearly and comprehensibly manner, using appropriate terminology, the results from analyses related to agricultural water management and NBS adoption.

Learning skills:

Students will develop the ability to learn independently and continuously update themselves on advanced technologies and approaches for managing water resources in agriculture, including innovations in NBS and technologies for the treatment of non-conventional water. They will be able to follow and analyze scientific and technical advancements in this field for supporting the continuation of their studies.

The course is structured through lectures, exercises, seminars, and field trips, with a strong emphasis on the practical application of acquired knowledge. This will enable students to solve real-world problems related to water resource management in agriculture.

 Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current regulations, students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on learning objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to refer to the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or learning disorders)

 If conditions require teaching given in a hybrid mode or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what previously stated in order to comply with the program.

Attending the classes is not mandatory, though strongly advised

The subject provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable water management in agriculture. It is organized into three main modules, with the following contents:

1. Agricultural Hydraulics Module

This module focuses on the fundamental principles of hydraulics applied to agriculture, with particular attention to the design and management of irrigation systems. After an introduction to the basic concepts of agricultural hydraulics, the module addresses methodologies for the analysis and sizing of long pressure pipes, as well as flow measurement through orifices. The content covered during the course is designed to provide students with methodologies for the practical resolution of irrigation system sizing problems and for verifying their operation.

2. Hydrology Module

This module covers the fundamentals of watershed hydrology. It analyzes the hydrological cycle and the water balance of surface and groundwater resources, exploring how these interact within a watershed and how they can be monitored and managed to support agriculture. A key focus is the analysis of crop water requirements, including the main methods for estimating and measuring crop evapotranspiration.

3. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Module

This module will describe the use of NBS, such as constructed wetlands and the management of urban wastewater, for the treatment and reuse of non-conventional water in agricultural contexts. Students will explore how these solutions can reduce environmental impact, improve water quality, and promote sustainable resource management. The module also covers design criteria for sizing rainwater harvesting and reuse systems.

Each module includes a theoretical part to introduce key concepts, followed by practical exercises and case studies to apply the knowledge in real-world situations.

·         Cirelli, G.L., I trattamenti naturali delle acque reflue urbane. Ed. Gruppo Editoriale Esselibri – Simone, 2003

·         Ferro, V. (2013) – Elementi di idraulica e idrologia per le scienze agrarie, ambientali e forestali. McGraw-Hill.

·         Kadlec Robert H. and Scott D. Wallace. Treatment Wetlands, Second Edition. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francies Group and CRC Press (2009)

·         Mastrorilli, M. (Ed.). (2015). L'acqua in agricoltura: gestione sostenibile della pratica irrigua. Edagricole.

Other teaching materials will be available on STUDIUM platform, as follows:

• PowerPoint file presented during lectures and seminars.

• Scientific articles and other teaching materials provided during the classes, including web site links and/or technical articles.

The vote follows the following scheme:

Negative:

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important 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: just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: ability 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: good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed 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.

·         Describe the main factors that influence pressure losses in a pressurized pipe and explain how they are calculated

·         Determine the flow rate delivered by an orifice.

·         Describe the hydrological balance at the basin level and how is it applied to the management of water resources in agriculture?

·         What are the main factors that influence crop water requirements?

·         How can NBS contribute to the sustainable water management?

·         What are the environmental and economic benefits of using NBS for wastewater treatment in agriculture?

·         What are the components of a rainwater harvesting system?