COLTIVAZIONI IN AMBIENTE PROTETTO

The course aims to train specialized professionals capable of analyzing limitations arising from suboptimal climatic conditions and of identifying and employing suitable tools to obtain crop production under modified microclimatic conditions.

Knowledge and understanding
Understand the influence of climatic conditions on agricultural production and know the tools, structures, and techniques for protected and off-season cultivation.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Analyze microclimatic constraints and apply appropriate technical solutions to design and manage cultivation systems in protected environments.

Making judgements
Evaluate environmental conditions, identify improvement strategies, and choose solutions that optimize production in suboptimal contexts.

Communication skills
Clearly communicate analyses, project proposals, and management decisions using appropriate technical language and suitable informational tools.

Learning skills
Independently keep up to date with technical and technological innovations related to protected agriculture and integrate them into professional practice.

The course consists of 63 hours, including 21 hours of lectures and 42 hours dedicated to other activities. Lessons, exercises, case-study discussions, and field visits are planned.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the learning objectives and their specific needs.
Students may also contact the CInAP representative (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) of the Di3A Department.

- 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.

The teaching of Protected Cultivation contributes to the goals of the 2030 Agenda by promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Specifically:

·       It promotes the responsible use of resources (e.g., water, energy, etc.), reducing waste and environmental impact (Goals 6, 7, 12, 13).

·       It supports food security through consistent and high-quality production (Goal 2).

·       It fosters innovation, technical training, and green skills among students and future workers (Goal 4).

·       It encourages local production models that strengthen communities and employment (Goals 8 and 11).

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.

The grading scheme is as follows:

Failed

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies

Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize

Use of references: Completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of topic: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely adequate

Use of references: Barely appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Routine knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argues logically and coherently

Use of references: Uses standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of topic: Good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The topics are presented coherently.

Use of References: Uses standard references.

27-29

Knowledge and Understanding of the Topic: More than good knowledge.

Analysis and Synthesis: Has excellent analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of References: Has thoroughly explored the topics.

30-30L

Knowledge and Understanding of the Topic: Excellent knowledge.

Analysis and Synthesis: Has excellent analysis and synthesis skills.

Use of References: Important in-depth analysis.

Static or dynamic shading effects on the crop

Purpose and quantification of the leaching fraction in hydroponic crops

Aspects to know when planning productions