FRUITCULTURE

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Stefano Giovanni LA MALFA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course is aimed at supplying knowledges onto main fruit tree species with a special emphasis on those cultivated in mediterranean area. 

In detail the course deals with crop situation, varietal and rootstock choice, agronomic management of plantations, and coltural techniques aimed at sustainable and high quality productions. 

Course Structure

Lessons, discussion on specific topics, excursion and visits.

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.

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 Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

Detailed Course Content

FIRST PART

Introduction: importance of fruitculture

Summary of general fruitculture: cultivar, clone, clonal selection. Hybridization, mutagenesis. Fruti quality. 

Nursery and certification. Tree growth cycle and fruit set. Fruit classification.

SECOND PART 

Description of the following species: 

-              pome fruits (apple and pear)

-              stone fruits (apricot, cherry, peach, plum)

-              nuts (almond, hazelnut, chestnut, pistachio, nut)

-              actinidia

-              minor fruit trees species (carob, pomegranate, prickly pear)

-              subtropical fruit tree species (avocado, anona, mango)

These species will be presented according to the following scheme: systematics and origin; diffusion and economic importance; floral and fruitification biology; varieties and rootstocks; breeding;  propagation; tree adaptation to the environment; training an pruning; soil management; irrigation and water relations; mineral nutrition and fertilization; ripening and harvest; product utilization. 

THIRD PART

Basic information on citriculture, olive culture and viticulture

Basic information on wood production and forestry 

Basic information on ornamental trees 

Textbook Information

"Arboricoltura speciale" (a cura di Gentile, Inglese, Tagliavini). Edagricole-New Business Media. 2022  

 

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Further study in english: Janick, Jules, and Robert E. Paull, eds. The encyclopedia of fruit and nuts. CABI, 2008.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Introduzione al corso: importanza dell’arboricoltura da frutto nel mondo e in Italia. (Testo 1: Presentazione)
2Richiami di Arboricoltura generale: cultivar, clone, selezione clonale. Ibridazione, mutagenesi. Qualità e produzioni frutticole. Testo di Arboricoltura generale 
3Il vivaismo e la certificazione genetico-sanitaria. Ciclo di fruttificazione e maturazione dei frutti. Criteri di classificazione dei fruttiferi.Testo di Arboricoltura generale 
4Il meloTesto 1: cap. 11
5Il peroTesto 1: cap. 12
6Il pescoTesto 1: cap. 8
7L’albicoccoTesto 1: cap. 6
8Il ciliegioTesto 1: cap. 7
9Il susino Testo 1: cap. 9
10L’actinidiaTesto 1: cap. 1
11Il mandorloTesto 1: cap. 16
12Il pistacchioTesto 1: cap. 19
13Il noccioloTesto 1: cap. 17
14Il castagno e il noceTesto 1: capp. 15 e 18
15Fruttiferi minori (carrubo, melograno, fico, ficodindia)Testo 1: capp. 30, 33, 31 e 25
16Fruttiferi subtropicali (avocado, anona, mango)Testo 1: cap. 24, 23, 26
17Cenni di agrumicolturaTesto 1: cap. cap. 2, 3, 4, 5 Schemi delle lezioni
18Cenni di olivicolturaTesto 1: cap. 13; Schemi delle lezioni
19Cenni di viticolturaTesto 1: cap. 14; Schemi delle lezioni
20Cenni di arboricoltura da legno Testo 1: cap. 35