Erbaceous Coltural Systems

Module 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.

Students will acquire skills in fertilization plans and in fertilizer management techniques, as well as on the weeds management in the main Mediterranean crops by physical, mechanical, chemical, ecological, biological means and integrated control.

The course includes 28 hours of frontal lessons (or remotely) and 28 hours of practical lessons (seminars, case studies, such as fertilization plans and weeding plans for specific crops, and visits to some important agri-food companies). Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

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.

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, chemical, biological, ecological and integrated. 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. Writing a fertilization program. Fertilization programs for the main Mediterranean crops.

• Giardini L., 2012 – L’Agronomia per conservare il futuro. Patron Editore, Bologna.
• Ceccon P., Fagnano M., Grignani C., Monti M., Orlandini S. (a cura di), 2017 – Agronomia. EdiSES, Napoli.
• Perelli M. (a cura di), 2009 – Nutrire le piante, trattato di scienza dei fertilizzanti. Arvan.
• Catizone P., Zanin G., 2002 – Malerbologia, Patron Editore, Bologna.
• Schemi e appunti delle lezioni fornite dal docente pubblicate su STUDIUM

The final exam consists of an oral interview preceded by the evaluation of two documents prepared by student: a fertilization plan on a choice crop and a photographic herbarium of about twenty weed species.

Students take the oral exam on the official dates of the scheduled sessions (see Department website). Verification of learning can also be carried out online, should the conditions require it. Evaluation elements of the oral interview: objective knowledge of the discipline contents , links between the topics, ability to carry out a fertilization plan, recognition and control of the main weeds. The average duration of the oral exam is 30 minutes.