PROTECTED CULTIVATION

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Cherubino LEONARDI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course is aimed at training specialists capable to analyse climatic suboptimal conditions and identify and apply possible options to get production from crops produced under modified micro-climatic conditions. 

These specialists will be able to put into practice the skills acquired with the purpose of planning and managing out-of-season production processes through the use of appropriate protection and suitable production techniques.

At the end of the course the student will be able to design and manage crops in a protected environment.

Course Structure

Lectures, practical activity, case study discussion, field visit.

If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported  syllabus.

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), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of agronomy, horticulture and floriculture, horticulture is desirable

Detailed Course Content

- The protected cultivation in Italy and in the world . general and historical figures, diffusion and economic importance. - Presupposition and objectives of protected cultivations . biological: the needs of the crops; . environmental: the climate and its variations; . agronomic: quantity and quality of production, stability of yields.

- The microclimate under protected cultivation and its effects on crop response.

- Classification, agronomic meaning and management of mean, techniques and structures of protection.

- Choice of species and cultivars.

- Production scheduling.

- The most significant aspects of the agronomic technique under protected environment: . soil preparation and interventions to change its characteristics; . plant pruning and training; . plant growth regulators; . growing media; . soilless cultivation.

- Specific aspects on the greenhouse cultivation of tomato, melon, chrysanthemum, poinsettia.

Textbook Information

1 - Slides presented and discussed during lectures

2 - A.A.V.V. Good agricultural practices for greenhouse vegetable crops. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 217. 2013.

3 - Stanghellini C., van't Ooster B., Heuvelink Ep.. Greenhouse horticulture. Wageningen Academic Publisher 2019.

4 - Romano Tesi - Colture protette. Calderini Edagricole

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1The protected cultivation in Italy and in the world . general and historical figures, diffusion and economic importance1 - 2 - 3
2 Presupposition and objectives of protected cultivations . biological: the needs of the crops; . environmental: the climate and its variations; . agronomic: quantity and quality of production, stability of yields1 - 2 - 3
3The microclimate under protected cultivation and its effects on crop response.1 - 3
4Classification, agronomic meaning and management of mean, techniques and structures of protection.1 - 2
5Choice of species and cultivars.1 - 2
6Production scheduling1 - 3
7The most significant aspects of the agronomic technique under protected environment: . soil preparation and interventions to change its characteristics; . plant pruning and training; . plant growth regulators; . growing media; . soilless cultivation.1 - 2
8Specific aspects on the greenhouse cultivation of tomato, melon, chrysanthemum, poinsettia2 - 4

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral

Learning assessment may be done remotely if necessary

The vote follows the following scheme:

 

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies

Analysis and synthesis skills: 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

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Just enough skills

Use of references: As appropriate

 

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently

Use of references: Use standard references

 

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently

Use of references: Use standard references

 

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: Has explored the topics

 

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Important insights.