ORTO-FLOROFRUTTICOLTURA

Module ARBORICOLTURA GENERALE

The course intends to give knowledge on the main propagation methods of plants, the biological cycles and the relationships between the vegetative and the reproductive activity of the fruit trees. At the end of the course student will be able to determine the nutrient and water requirements for the main fruit species and to able to establish an orchard; moreover the student will be able to establish the best pruning technique and the main uses of the growth regulators.By the end of the course, students will acquire adequate skills aimed at:

-        Knowledge and understanding: making independent agronomic decisions and supporting operators in the fruit-growing supply chain;

-        Applying knowledge and understanding: supporting fruit-growing supply chain operators in making the most appropriate pre-planting management choices for sustainable, quality production;

-        Making judgments: critically evaluating different agronomic strategies and crop management practices;

-        Communication skills: communicating clearly and effectively with the various operators in the fruit-growing supply chain;

-        Learning skills: being able to update and expand their own knowledge.

Lectures with presentation slides. Other activities: practical exercises, case study discussions, and field trips. 

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. 

(35 hours) and tutorials (28 hours) by case studies and/or seminars, also on line.

Learning assessment may be done remotely if necessary.

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),

The course directly contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, providing knowledge and skills related to the sustainable management of citrus, olive, and wine production.

Goal 2 - Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure the sustainability of food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and yields, contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems, and improve the capacity to adapt to climate change.

Goal 12 - Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, promoting agronomic production models that reduce waste, pollution, and loss of soil fertility.

Goal 13 - Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related risks through low-impact agricultural practices and the rational use of water and soil resources.

Goal 15 - Target 15.9: Integrate the conservation of agricultural biodiversity into agricultural and land-use planning processes, enhancing local varieties and promoting sustainable management practices for rural landscapes and agricultural ecosystems.

Definition of arboriculture. Morphology and physiology of fruit trees. Control of development and fruiting: bud dormancy, vegetative cycle, reproductive cycle; flower induction: sporogenesis, anthesis, pollination, fertilization, sterility, fruit, senescence and abscission; fruit ripening. Use of bioregulators. Propagation and reproduction; morphology and structure of the seed, apomissia and polyembriony, seed dormancy, germination, planting, care for seedlings. Multiplication: polarity, cuttings, micropropagation; graft (graft histogenesis; graft incompatibility - biochemical causes; interstocks). Soil and plant trees: soil chemical and physical characteristics; root development. Nutrients and their functions. Water deficit and water logging. Allelopathy, replanting problems. Soil tillage. Climate and woody plants: radiant energy, tree architecture, temperature, hydrometeors. Humidity. Wind. Control of vegetation and fruiting: the main objective of pruning; training system and planting criteria; training and production pruning. Fruit thinning. Use of bioregolators. Harvesting. Maturity indexes. Traditional and non-destructive methods

 1 - Principi di Arboricoltura. A cura ci C. Peano e F. Sottile. EdiSES, Napoli

 2 -Sansavini, S., Costa, G., Gucci, R., Inglese, P., Ramina, A., Xiloyannis, C., and Desjardins,Y., eds. (2019). Principles of Modern Fruit Science (Leuven, Belgium: ISHS), pp.421

Additional teaching materials provided by the instructor will include copies of the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures and seminars, scientific articles, and other educational resources, including relevant links and/or popular science articles for consultation.

Student learning assessment is conducted through an oral exam. Preparation is evaluated based on the following criteria: learning capacity and depth of understanding of the topics covered, conciseness and clarity of presentation, and reasoning ability.

Grading is structured as follows:

Fail

Subject knowledge and understanding: Major gaps. Significant inaccuracies.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Negligible. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18–20

Subject knowledge and understanding: Threshold level. Obvious flaws.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient abilities.

Use of references: Barely appropriate.

21–23

Subject knowledge and understanding: Routine knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Arguments are presented logically and coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

24–26

Subject knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Good analytical and synthetic abilities. Topics are expressed coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

27–29

Subject knowledge and understanding: Very good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Remarkable analytical and synthetic abilities.

Use of references: Has thoroughly studied the topics.

30–30 cum laude (30L)

Subject knowledge and understanding: Excellent knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Remarkable analytical and synthetic abilities.

Use of references: Significant in-depth study.

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).

What are the functions of the root system?

Describe the two models of fruit development.

What are the propagation methods specific to tree crops?