COLTURE ARBOREE MEDITERRANEE

The course is aimed at supplying detailed information about biological, environmental and agronomic factors dealing with citrus, grape and olive production. Students will learn how to tackle matters related to varietal and rootstock choice and to agronomic management finding those most suitable for different specific conditions.

- Knowledge and understanding: Make independent agronomic decisions and support operators in the citrus, olive, and viticulture supply chains;

- Apply knowledge and understanding: Support operators in the citrus, olive, and viticulture supply chains in making the most appropriate pre-planting and management decisions in a Mediterranean environment, aimed at achieving sustainable and high-quality production;

- Independent judgment: Critically evaluate different agronomic strategies and crop management practices;

- Communication skills: Be able to communicate clearly and effectively with the various operators involved in the citrus, olive, and viticulture supply chains.

Lectures with presentation slides. Other activities: practical exercises, case study discussions, and field trips. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Knowledge of general arboriculture is requested.

The course directly contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, providing knowledge and skills related to the sustainable management of citrus, olive, and wine production.

Goal 2 - Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure the sustainability of food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and yields, contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems, and improve the capacity to adapt to climate change.

Goal 12 - Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, promoting agronomic production models that reduce waste, pollution, and loss of soil fertility.

Goal 13 - Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related risks through low-impact agricultural practices and the rational use of water and soil resources.

Goal 15 - Target 15.9: Integrate the conservation of agricultural biodiversity into agricultural and land-use planning processes, enhancing local varieties and promoting sustainable management practices for rural landscapes and agricultural ecosystems.

Citriculture: 1. Citrus taxonomy, origin and diffusion; 2. Ecology, crop adaptation to different climatic conditions, morphology and physiology; 3. Varieties of the main citrus species; rootstocks; 4. Genetic improvement; 5. Propagation and cultivation techniques.

Oliviculture: 1. Botany, diffusion; 2. Ecological and climatic requirements, organography and physiology; 3. Varieties; 4. Pruning and management; 5. Quality and product use.

Viticulture: 1. Origin, diffusion and distribution of the crop; 2. Botany, organography and ampelography; 3. Ecology and physiology of the crop and its behavior in different climatic conditions; 4. Propagation and planting: choice of rootstocks and varieties for wine and table grape; 5. Training systems, pruning and cultivation techniques.

1. Gentile, Alessandra, Paolo Inglese, and Agostino Piscopo, eds. Arboricoltura speciale. Edagricole-New Business Media, 2022. ISBN 978-88-506-5616-5.

2. Fiorino, Piero. Olea. Trattato di olivicoltura. Edagricole-New Business Media, 2016. ISBN 978-88-506-4938-9.

3. Palliotti, Alberto, Stefano Poni, and Oriana Silvestroni. Manuale di viticoltura. Edagricole-New Business Media, 2018. ISBN 978-88-506-5533-5.

Additional teaching materials provided by the instructor will include copies of the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures and seminars, scientific articles, and other educational resources, including relevant links and/or popular science articles for consultation.

Student learning assessment is conducted through an oral exam. Preparation is evaluated based on the following criteria: learning capacity and depth of understanding of the topics covered, conciseness and clarity of presentation, and reasoning ability.

Grading is structured as follows:

Fail

Subject knowledge and understanding: Major gaps. Significant inaccuracies.

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

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18–20

Subject knowledge and understanding: Threshold level. Obvious flaws.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient abilities.

Use of references: Barely appropriate.

21–23

Subject knowledge and understanding: Routine knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Arguments are presented logically and coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

24–26

Subject knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Good analytical and synthetic abilities. Topics are expressed coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

27–29

Subject knowledge and understanding: Very good knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Remarkable analytical and synthetic abilities.

Use of references: Has thoroughly studied the topics.

30–30 cum laude (30L)

Subject knowledge and understanding: Excellent knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Remarkable analytical and synthetic abilities.

Use of references: Significant in-depth study.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

1. Citrus classification

2. Grape rootstocks

3. Olive propagation

4. Sweet orange varieties