Agronomy and Herbaceous cropsModule General Agronomy
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: GIORGIO TESTAExpected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the training course the student acquires the basic scientific and technical skills on the natural factors of plant production and the technical and biological interventions capable of regulating them, in order to obtain from the cultivation of plants programmed productions in quantity and quality and well distributed. over time, respecting the protection of the environment. At the end of the course the student will be able to apply the general principles underlying plant production and supervise the operations of choice and preparation of the reproductive body, choice and preparation of the cultivation environment. At the end of the training course the student, through the analysis of the seeds and the preparation of a paper and a computer presentation, will possess the critical and judgment skills for the evaluation of herbaceous cultivation systems. The student will be able to communicate what he has learned having developed communication skills by presenting a topic of the course to his colleagues in the course. At the end of the course the student will have the ability to continue the study independently after the course of study having acquired skills useful for the preparation of a productive agroecosystem.
Course Structure
During the course students will be divided into groups that will prepare together a thesis on an agronomic topic. The thesis will be presented during the exercises towards the end of the course. The final exam is oral and includes the discussion of the thesis and further questions on other agronomic topics provided for in the course. The assessment of learning can also be carried out electronically, if the conditions require it.
Required Prerequisites
Knowledge of general biology, general and organic chemistry, soil fertility and plant nutrition, agricultural genetics and general agronomy.
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance during the course will take place in presence and is strongly recommended
Detailed Course Content
Textbook Information
Lecture notes, bibliographic materials and indications of online consultation material provided by the teacher
Book 1:
Giardini Luigi, 2012. L’agronomia per conservare il futuro. Pà tron.
Book 2: Ceccon Paolo, Fagnano Massimo, Grignani Carlo, Monti Michele, Orlandini
Simone (a cura di), 2017. Agronomia. EdiSES
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presentation of the course. Agriculture and man: historical stages. Agriculture-environment relations. Objectives and contents of General Agronomy. Structuring of the discipline. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 2 | Concept of ecosystem. Concept of agroecosystem. Modifications induced by anthropogenic interventions in the agroecosystem: nature of inputs and outputs and consequences on the balances between the components of the system. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 3 | The atmosphere. Definitions of climate. Factors and elements of the climate. Climate classifications. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 4 | Solar radiation and its relationships with cultivated plants. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 5 | Temperature and its relationships with cultivated plants. The thermal sums. Thermoperiodism, vernalization, devernalization, dormancy. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 6 | Precipitation and their relationships with cultivated plants. Relative humidity. Evapotranspiration. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 7 | The agrarian soil. Intrinsic characteristics of the soil: the origin, constitution, stratification, laying and exposure, color. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 8 | The agrarian soil. Extrinsic characteristics of the soil. Structure, biological conditions, chemical conditions, plasticity, adhesiveness, toughness. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 9 | Functions of habitability of agricultural soil: mass, softness, capacity of the soil for air and water. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 10 | Water-soil relations. Water potential of the soil and its components. The hydrological constants of the soil and the water available to plants. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 11 | Soil conservation and contour farming | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 12 | Dry farming | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 13 | Irrigation. Purposes of irrigation, time of irrigation intervention, irrigation methods. Quality of irrigated water. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 14 | Soil organic matter. Concept of fertility. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 15 | Soil tillage | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 16 | Functions of nutrition of the agrarian soil. Nutrients. Correctives, fertilizers and soil improvers. Fertilization program. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 17 | Elements of the fight against weeds. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 18 | Elements of the control of weeds. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 19 | Choice of breeding body: Crop rotation and its environmental significance. Notes on cultivation systems. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
| 20 | The yield and its components. Unit of measurement of yield. The quality of agri-food products and the factors that influence it. | Material provided by the teacher. Book 1. Book 2. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
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.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1 Soil texture
2 Soil structure
3 Water-to-soil relationships
4 Evapotranspiration
5 Factors and elements of climate
6 Quality of irrigated water
7 Hygienic conditions
8 Hydraulic-agrarian arrangements
9 The seeds
10 Notes on the fight against weeds
11 Ecosystem and agroecosystem
12 Aridoculture
13 Irrigation methods
14 Tillage
15 Leaf area index (LAI)