FRUITCULTURE
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: STEFANO GIOVANNI LA MALFAExpected 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
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduzione al corso: importanza dell’arboricoltura da frutto nel mondo e in Italia. | (Testo 1: Presentazione) |
| 2 | Richiami di Arboricoltura generale: cultivar, clone, selezione clonale. Ibridazione, mutagenesi. Qualità e produzioni frutticole. | Testo di Arboricoltura generale |
| 3 | Il vivaismo e la certificazione genetico-sanitaria. Ciclo di fruttificazione e maturazione dei frutti. Criteri di classificazione dei fruttiferi. | Testo di Arboricoltura generale |
| 4 | Il melo | Testo 1: cap. 11 |
| 5 | Il pero | Testo 1: cap. 12 |
| 6 | Il pesco | Testo 1: cap. 8 |
| 7 | L’albicocco | Testo 1: cap. 6 |
| 8 | Il ciliegio | Testo 1: cap. 7 |
| 9 | Il susino | Testo 1: cap. 9 |
| 10 | L’actinidia | Testo 1: cap. 1 |
| 11 | Il mandorlo | Testo 1: cap. 16 |
| 12 | Il pistacchio | Testo 1: cap. 19 |
| 13 | Il nocciolo | Testo 1: cap. 17 |
| 14 | Il castagno e il noce | Testo 1: capp. 15 e 18 |
| 15 | Fruttiferi minori (carrubo, melograno, fico, ficodindia) | Testo 1: capp. 30, 33, 31 e 25 |
| 16 | Fruttiferi subtropicali (avocado, anona, mango) | Testo 1: cap. 24, 23, 26 |
| 17 | Cenni di agrumicoltura | Testo 1: cap. cap. 2, 3, 4, 5 Schemi delle lezioni |
| 18 | Cenni di olivicoltura | Testo 1: cap. 13; Schemi delle lezioni |
| 19 | Cenni di viticoltura | Testo 1: cap. 14; Schemi delle lezioni |
| 20 | Cenni di arboricoltura da legno | Testo 1: cap. 35 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Learning will be assessed with 3-4 questions during an oral exam. The exam is designed to assess the student's level of knowledge and understanding of the content outlined in the syllabus.Student preparation will be assessed based on the following criteria: learning ability and depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to summarize and present, and the student's reasoning skills.
The vote follows the following scheme:
Negative:
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies
Ability to analyze and synthesize: 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
Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills
Use of references: just appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: ability of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently
Using references: Use standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently
Using references: Use of standard references
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good
Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis
Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth
30-30 e lode
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: Important insights.