Horticulture

Module Vegetable and flower cultivation

Lectures (21 hours) and practical exercises (42 hours).

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.

1. Course introduction (definition and scope)
2. Knowledge of the horticultural and floricultural sector: historical development, distribution and importance, main agroecosystems
3. Characteristics and classification of vegetable and ornamental plants
4. Vegetable and floricultural products: types, characteristics, quality profile
5. Requirements of vegetable and floricultural crops in relation to climate, soil, and nutrition
6. Varieties and cultivars; objectives of plant breeding; registration and protection of new plant varieties
7. Product innovation
8. Crop rotations and intercropping
9. The horticultural and floricultural nursery sector
10. The cultivation process: soil preparation, crop establishment, plant management, and management of other components of the vegetable and floricultural agroecosystem
11. Cultivation systems, methods, and techniques of specific relevance to horticulture and floriculture (fertilization, irrigation, fertigation)
12. Management of harvesting and post-harvest handling

1. Lesson outlines and notes provided during the course

2. Orticoltura - Principi e pratica

Alberto Pardossi, Giorgio Prosdocimi Gianquinto, Pietro Santamaria, Luca lncrocci (Curatori) – Edagricole

3. Orticoltura mediterranea sostenibile

Romano tesi – Pàtron Editore

4. Florovivaismo - Principi e tecniche

Valentina Scariot, Stefania De Pascale, Antonio Ferrante, Daniela Romano (Curatori) – Edagricole

5. Gestione della qualità e conservazione dei prodotti ortofrutticoli

Giancarlo Colelli, Paolo Inglese (Curatori)

Learning assessment is conducted through an oral examination, covering any of the topics and case studies addressed during the course. This assessment may also be carried out remotely if circumstances require. The evaluation of the student's preparation will be based on the following criteria: learning ability and depth of understanding of the topics covered, clarity and conciseness of presentation, and the student’s reasoning skills. The grading follows the following scale:

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 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge;

Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis;

Use of references: important insights.

Which are the common specific features of the vegetable and floricultural supply chains?

On what does the expression of the productive potential of a vegetable or floricultural crop depend, and why is full satisfaction of the crop’s requirements generally not pursued?

When is it necessary to extend the photoperiod in a short-day species?