SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE AGROECOSYSTEM

Learning Objectives

• SOIL ORGANIC MATTER MANAGEMENT

  The course aims to provide a depth knowledge about the dynamics of the natural organic matter as well as the nutrients, in order to understand the factors regulating the plant growth, also as a function of the environmental changes leading to new scenarios. At the end of the course the student will have a wide knowledge about the dynamics of organic matter and the nutrients in the agronomic soils, as well as the nutritional properties of the soil-plant system. Moreover, the student will acquire informations about the possible use of organic waste matrices, rough or treated, in order to increase the soil organic component.

• Sustainable management of the agronomical techniques

  Provide knowledge for a rational management of the soil in view of soil conservation, maintenance of fertility and improve the yields and improve the knowledge for an optimal agronomical management in relation to public health, plant health, animal welfare and maintenance of non-renewable resources.

Course Structure

• SOIL ORGANIC MATTER MANAGEMENT

  The course is made of:

  -Frontal lessons;

  - Application part (laboratory exercitations and/or on field experience) by transferring the theoretical concepts to practical experiences by examples allowing the student to acquire greater mastery of the subject to complete the training process.

• Sustainable management of the agronomical techniques

  The course will be structured as follows:

  • Lectures
  • Participated lessons
  • Cooperative lessons
  • Analysis of case studies

Detailed Course Content

• SOIL ORGANIC MATTER MANAGEMENT

  Organic matter evolution of the soil; mineralization and humification processes; humic substances; influence of organic matter on the chemical, physical, biological properties of the soil; role of pedofauna and microrganisms in the evolution of soil organic matter; composting process; characteristics and possible use of sewage sludge; analytical methods for the study of soil organic matter.

• Sustainable management of the agronomical techniques

  Outline of General Agronomy

  Agrometeorology and agrometeorological Services

  Soil degradation, erosion, salinity, phytoremediation techniques

  Soil management: (i) Irrigation, planning of volumes and irrigation shifts, (ii) soil tillage and conservative techniques

  Crop physiology

  Simulation models

  Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming

  Bioenergetic systems: (i) Bioenergies, Biofuels, Life Cycle Assessment, Energy balance

  Biotechnology and genetically modified plants

  Development of a simulation model for the growth and production of crops

Textbook Information

• SOIL ORGANIC MATTER MANAGEMENT

  1. Ciclo della Sostanza Organica del Suolo (P. Nannipieri; Ed. Patron)(2003).

  2. Lecture notes.

• Sustainable management of the agronomical techniques

  1. Agronomia (Edises, Società Italiana di Agronomia)

  2. Fondamenti di Agronomia (Bonciarelli F.)

  3. Agronomia aziendale ed ambientale (Giardini)

  4. Appunti del Docente