AGRICULTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY, SOIL FERTILITY AND PLANT NUTRITION MANAGEMENT

Knowledge and understanding abilities: By the end of the course, students will have acquired basic chemical and biochemical knowledge needed to understand the functioning of the soil–plant system and the main metabolic processes underlying plant life. In particular, they will be able to:

describe the molecular composition of agricultural ecosystems;

interpret, at the molecular level, selected biotic and abiotic phenomena occurring in soil and plants;

understand the mechanisms regulating the availability and uptake of nutrients.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding abilities: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• predict nutrient availability for plants based on soil properties, environmental conditions, and crop-specific physiological needs;
• plan actions to analyze and assess the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of farm soils;
• address and solve basic problems related to soil system functioning.

Making judgements: The course will enable students to:

independently assess the physical, chemical, and biological fertility of agricultural soils, considering both production goals and environmental sustainability.

Communication skills: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

-        use appropriate technical language to describe the soil–plant system;

-        write a professional report on soil fertility characteristics, employing proper data interpretation and scientific terminology.

Learning skills: The course provides a general understanding of the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil, as well as basic knowledge of plant biochemistry. By the end of the course, students will be able to assess soil fertility and apply strategies to maintain or improve it, according to specific production or environmental goals. They will also acquire the knowledge needed for effective management of the soil–plant system in both agricultural and natural settings.

The course consists of:

21 hours of lectures, during which students acquire fundamental knowledge on soil fertility, mineral nutrition, and plant biochemistry;

42 hours of practical activities (laboratory, classroom, and/or field exercises), aimed at applying theoretical concepts through hands-on experiences and examples, enabling students to develop a deeper understanding of the subject and to complete their educational training.

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.

Knowledge of general, inorganic, and organic chemistry constitutes an essential prerequisite for this course.

Attending the classes is not mandatory, though strongly advised.

Introduction to the soil–plant system Liquid and gaseous phases of the soil. Clay minerals and Fe and Al oxides. Structure and properties; organic matter: evolution and properties. Biological component of the soil; physical properties of the soil; cation and anion exchange; soil pH. Soils with abnormal pH reactions and their correction. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycles, and the nutritional requirements of plants. Mechanisms of nutrient uptake and the plant root and vascular systems. Introduction to plant biochemistry. Plant cell and leaf anatomy. Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions, Calvin cycle, photorespiration, and C4 and CAM plant cycles. Cellular respiration: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Field trip and/or classroom and laboratory exercises.

The recommended textbooks for studying this subject are the following:

Book 1: Fondamenti di Chimica del suolo (2017). Sequi, Ciavatta, Miano. Patròn Editore, Bologna

Book 2: Fondamenti di Biochimica agraria (2016). Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Patròn Editore, Bologna

Additional teaching materials for students, available on the STUDIUM platform, include copies of the slides presented during lectures and seminars.

All students will be required to take two intermediate oral examinations, one at mid-course and one at the end of the course. Students who pass both exams with a minimum grade of 18/30 will be exempt from the final oral examination; their final grade will be the average of the two intermediate assessments. Students who fail one of the two exams, or do not take the intermediate assessments, will be required to take a final oral examination covering the entire course content.
Assessment may also be conducted online if circumstances require it.

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.

1)       What is the concept of soil fertility?

2)       How is soil defined?

3)       What are soil horizons?

4)       Describe a soil profile.

5)       How does water move through soil?

6)       Gaseous and liquid phases of soil.

7)       The soil colloidal system.

8)       Types of silicates.

9)       What are phyllosilicates? Describe a tetrahedron and an octahedron.

10)    Iron and aluminum oxides.

11)    What is the coordination number, and what are isomorphic substitutions?

12)    Variable surface charges.

13)    What is the net charge of a clay mineral, and what is the point of zero charge (PZC)?

14)    Montmorillonite.

15)    Kaolinite.

16)    Mineralization and humification of soil organic matter.

17)    The rhizosphere.

18)    How is organic matter distributed in the soil? Chemical composition of plant residues.

19)    What are humic substances and how are they classified? What are non-humic substances?

20)    Soil structure.

21)    What are the binding agents that hold soil aggregates together?

22)    Soil texture.

23)    Determination of soil texture (sedimentation method).

24)    Soil density (differences between light and heavy soils) and soil color.

25)    What does the lyotropic series indicate? What are the principles underlying the exchange capacity phenomenon?

26)    What is the CEC (cation exchange capacity), and how does it vary with pH?

27)    Anion exchange capacity (specific and non-specific).

28)    Soil reaction (potential pH and actual pH) and causes of soil acidification.

29)    How does soil pH affect nutrient availability?

30)    Acidic soils and how to correct them.

31)    Alkaline, saline-alkaline, and saline soils and their correction.

32)    Immobilization and assimilation of nitrogen forms.

33)    Nitrification and denitrification.

34)    Nitrogen fixation.

35)    Mineral forms of phosphorus and forms available to plants.

36)    Water absorption by roots. Apoplast, symplast, xylem, and phloem.

37)    What are passive and active nutrient transport mechanisms? Main differences and features.

38)    Glycolysis and where it occurs.

39)    Krebs cycle.

40)    Oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain.

41)    Energy balance of cellular respiration.

42)    Light-dependent phase of photosynthesis.

43)    Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation.

44)    Dark phase of photosynthesis: carboxylation and reduction.

45)    Dark phase: regeneration of ribulose.

46)    Photorespiration.

47)    C4 plant cycle.

48)    CAM plant cycle.

49)    Differences between C4 and CAM plants.