Agronomy and Herbaceous crops

Module Herbaceous crops

The course aims to guide students in learning basic knowledge and acquiring skills related to the rational and sustainable agronomic management of the main field crops aimed at providing products and raw materials for the agro-industrial food and non-food sectors of current and potential interest for the Mediterranean environment.

Specifically, at the end of the course, students will be able to:

i) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the agronomic bases for the choice and sustainable management of the main field crops;

ii) apply the knowledge and understanding ability acquired with a professional approach, and possess adequate skills to support arguments aimed at solving problems concerning the choice of field crops to be grown in Mediterranean agroecosystems, and to define and apply strategies and tactics capable of optimizing the combination of environmental and agronomic factors, maximizing production results, as well as product quality and ecosystem services of crops.

iii) collect and interpret data and information aimed at independently analyzing the dynamics, processes and effects concerning the choice of crops and agronomic practices to be adopted in agroecosystems in the Mediterranean environment, critically evaluating the quantitative and qualitative results and impact, as well as identifying innovative methods and tools for the rational and sustainable management of crops;

iii) communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialists and non-specialists relating to the choice and agronomic management of field crops in the Mediterranean environment, using a systemic approach;

iii) develop, with specific reference to the subject matter, learning skills that allow them to continue their university studies in subsequent cycles with a high degree of autonomy.

Contribution of the discipline to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

The contents of the discipline contribute to pursuing the following goals (G)-targets (T) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

- G2: T2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5;

- G4: T4.4;

- G5: T5.b;

- G6: T6.3, T6.4, T6.5, T6.6;

- G7: T7.2, T7.3;

- G8: T8.2, T8.6;

- G9: T9.5, T9c;

- G12: T12.2, T12.3, T12.4, T12.5, T12.b;

- G13: T13.1, T13.3;

- G15: T15.1, T15.3, T15.4.

Lessons (21 hours). Hands-on activities in the form of individual papers or research, working group, and in-depth seminars (42 hours).

If the course will be held in mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to comply with the planned program reported in the syllabus.

*Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, if the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or Learning disorders

To guarantee equal opportunities and in accordance with the current laws, students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participated inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning disorders) of the Department.

Basic knowledge of plant biology, chemistry, plant nutrition, plant breeding and agronomy.

Not mandatory, but recommended.

Presentation of the course.

Definition and classification criteria of field crops. The concept of yield and its characteristics relating to field crops: economic yield and useful product categories; yield expression and production determinism.

The concept of agro-industrial production chain. Quality and technological suitability of raw materials provided by field crops. Main production sectors.

Importance and prospects for the spread of field crops worldwide, in the EU, and in Italy; their valorization in semi-arid Mediterranean environments.

General information (origin and spreading, systematics, morphology, biology, physiology, soil, climate and nutritional requirements); choice of the genotype and breeding (objectives and methods); agronomic management (crop rotation, soil preparation, sowing, fertilization, irrigation, control of the main abiotic and biotic stress); harvesting and use of production (yield, quality, and supply chains) of the species belonging to the following crop groups.

Grain and reproductive organs.

- Cereals and pseudocereals: wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt, corn and sorghum, rice; buckwheat, quinoa;

- Grain legumes: faba beans, chickpeas, lentils, grass peas, lupins, beans, peas, soybeans;

- Oilseed crops: rapeseed, Abyssinian cabbage, camelina, flax, sunflower, safflower, castor bean, hemp, sesame;

- Fiber: cotton;

- Horticultural: globe artichoke;

- Other species (notes).

Underground organs.

- Sugar: sugar beet;

- Horticultural: potato;

- Other species (notes).

Foliage.

- Aromatic and medicinal: tobacco;

- Other species (notes).

Fiber.

- Textiles: hemp, flax;

- Other species (notes).

Stem and leaf for forage (notes).

- Herbage;

- Meadows;

- Pastures.

For ecological functions (notes).

- Cover crops;

- Phytoremediation;

- Ecosystem services.

Bioenergy (notes).

- Lignocellulosic;

- Oilseed crops.

1. Mosca G. Reyneri A. (Coord.) – Coltivazioni erbacee. Cereali e colture industriali (vol. 1). Edagricole (2023).

2. Mosca G. Reyneri A. (Coord.) – Coltivazioni erbacee. Aromatiche e officinali, orticole agroindustriali, foraggere e colture a fini ecosistemici ed energetici (vol. 2). Edagricole (2023).

3. Baldoni R., Giardini L. (Coord.). Coltivazioni erbacee. Cereali e proteaginose. Pàtron Ed. (2000)

4. Baldoni R., Giardini L. (Coord.). Coltivazioni erbacee. Piante oleifere, da zucchero, da fibra, orticole ed aromatiche. Pàtron Ed. (2000)

5. Baldoni R., Giardini L. (Coord.). Coltivazioni erbacee. Foraggere e Tappeti erbosi.  Pàtron Ed. (2000)

6. Lecture notes provided by the teacher (ppt presentations of the lessons, notes on the topics covered)

Oral exam

In particular, the achievement of the learning outcomes will be ascertained through an oral discussion with the student, during which the performance will be assessed in terms of the level of preparation achieved on the subjects of the discipline, argumentative and synthesis skills, clarity and language properties, with specific reference to technical terminology, as well as interdisciplinary connection skills and the degree of in-depth analysis. Verification of learning can also be done electronically, if the conditions require it. The evaluation will be expressed according to the following scale:

i) insufficient performance (<18). The student shows incomplete and superficial knowledge of the subjects of the discipline and lack of argumentative skills, does not express itself clearly and appropriately;

ii) sufficient performance (18 ÷ 20/30). The student has understood and demonstrates to know, albeit generically, the topics of the discipline, possesses satisfactory argumentative and expository skills, and language properties;

iii) fair performance (21 ÷ 23/30). The student shows a fairly good understanding and knowledge of the subjects of the discipline, as well as fairly good argumentative and expository skills and language properties;

iiii) good performance (24 ÷ 26/30). The student shows a good understanding and knowledge of the topics of the discipline, as well as good argumentative and expository skills and language properties,

iiiii) optimal performance (27 ÷ 29/30) The student shows an optimal degree of understanding and knowledge of the subjects of the discipline, as well as optimal argumentative skills and interdisciplinary connection, optimal analytical and synthesis skills, clarity and language properties;

iiiiii) excellent performance (30/30 ÷ 30/30 cum laude) The student shows full mastery of the subjects of the discipline, as well as excellent argumentative skills and interdisciplinary connection, clarity and confidence in presentation and language properties. Honors are given to the particularly deserving student, who will have shown specific interest in the topics of the discipline attested by a high degree of in-depth study.

1. Definition of field crop

2. Classification criteria for field crops

3. Difference between the biological cycle and the cropping cycle

4. Agronomic management of durum wheat

5. Pedo-climatic requirements of sunflowers

6. General problems of grain legumes

7. Classification of forage crops

8. Varietal evolution of durum wheat

8. Objectives of lentil breeding

10. Grain quality of durum wheat

11. Yield components of rapeseed

12. Choice criteria of field crops in Mediterranean environments