Erbaceous Coltural Systems

Learning Objectives

• Techniques for weed and fertilization management

  Provide in-depth knowledge on the role, functions and absorption of nutrients in cultivated plants, as well as on the biology, ecology, on the role and impact of weeds in agroecosystems.

  Acquire skills in fertilization plans and in fertilizer management techniques, as well as on the weeds management in the main Mediterranean crops by physical, chemical and integrated control.

• Biomass crops for energy production

  Provide knowledge to rational management of biomass crops for energy in the supply chains for agrofuel production of thermoelectric energy, biogas, bioethanol and biodiesel. The course will also provide knowledge on the subjects necessary for the development of an agro-energy sector: Legislation, Obtaining Biomass, Logistics, processes of transformation, processing plant, end use, Sustainability (Energy, Environmental, Economic, Social)

Detailed Course Content

• Techniques for weed and fertilization management

  Weed Management

  Concept of weed. Adaptation strategies of weeds. Seed-bank. Germination and physiological, environmental and agronomic factors. Population dynamics and agronomic factors affecting them. Damages caused by weeds. Competition between crops and weeds. Critical period of weed competition. Means of weed control, both direct and indirect. Direct means of weed control: mechanical, physical and chemical. Herbicides and plant: penetration, translocation, biotransformation, mechanisms of action, selectivity. Environmental dynamics of herbicides. For the most widespread crops in the Mediterranean, will be considered the main weed species and their control techniques.

   

  Fertilization Management

  Concept of fertility. Form and dynamics in agroecosystems of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium and magnesium. Micronutrients. Classification of fertilizers and techniques of administration. Fertilization and product quality. Fertilization environmentally friendly. Fertilization in organic farming. Foliar fertilization. Technical and agronomic principles of fertigation. Fertilization programs for the main Mediterranean crops.

• Biomass crops for energy production

  Regional, national and European legislation.ò

  Cultivation of energy crops, oilseeds species, sugary/starchy species, lignocellulosic species.

  Crop residues from field crops, from woody crops, residues silvicultural.

  Logistics.

  Waste from wood processing, food products.

  Transformation processes: thermochemical, biochemical, cold treatment.

  Processing plant for combustion, production of bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas.

  Sustainability (Energy, Environmental, Economic, Social).

  Life Cycle Assessment.

Textbook Information

• Techniques for weed and fertilization management

  Testo 1: Giardini L., 2012 – L’Agronomia per conservare il futuro. Patron Editore, Bologna.

  Testo 2: Perelli M. (a cura di), 2009 – Nutrire le piante, trattato di scienza dei fertilizzanti. Arvan.

  Testo 3: Catizone P., Zanin G., 2002 – Malerbologia, Patron Editore, Bologna.

  Notes and schemes of the lessons provided by the teacher.

• Biomass crops for energy production
  1. Teacher's notes.
  2. PowerPoint presentations.