Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops
A.Y. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
To acquire an integrated view of the various elements that concur to the management of crops in different soil and climate contexts and their integration in cropping systems.
Students can go through the factors affecting crop management and crop function into cropping systems. Definition, management and evaluation of cropping systems in terms of productivity, sustainability and environmental impact.
Students can go through the factors affecting crop management and crop function into cropping systems. Definition, management and evaluation of cropping systems in terms of productivity, sustainability and environmental impact.
Expected learning outcomes
Basic elements of agricultural meteorology and agro ecology and crop response to meteorological factors; knowledge on the management of cropping systems in relation to the environment,t soil and climate conditions.
Students get knowledge of: (I) agronomic practices and their effects on productivity and environment; (II) cropping management relating to pedoclimatic conditions. Students get skills in planning of irrigation, fertilization plans and weeding plans, getting knowledge of practical methodologies; principles of organic farming.
Students get knowledge of: (I) agronomic practices and their effects on productivity and environment; (II) cropping management relating to pedoclimatic conditions. Students get skills in planning of irrigation, fertilization plans and weeding plans, getting knowledge of practical methodologies; principles of organic farming.
Lesson period: year
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The agro-ecosystem and the plant-atmosphere relationship. The agro-ecosystem at land, farm and field scale. Factors influencing yields and quality of crops. Ecophysiology of plants in the cropping system. Growth analysis and index used in growth analysis. Solar radiation use efficiency. Plant and climate: effects of meteorological variables (solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, wind, relative humidity) on crop production. Effects of atmospheric pollution on crops. Thermal time. Response to day length. Protection from climatic injuries. The Agrometorology and their application Dynamics of water uptake and water use efficiency. Surface runoff and erosion. Drainage system. crop management ant their scientific basis Soil tillage: primary and secondary tillage operation. Conservative tillage, minimum tillage and no-tillage. Crop fertilization techniques. The requirement of nutritional elements, macro and micro nutrients. Dynamics of nutrients in soil. Soil and plant based diagnostic methods to identify the shortage of mineral nutrients. Type of fertilizers (Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer) and their use. Organic fertilization, slurry and manure characteristics and usage. pH correction and improvement of physical characteristics of soil. Cropping system and crop rotation. Intensive, extensive and organic agriculture systems. Weeds control. Weed management using agronomic, chemical, mechanical biological and physical approach. Dynamics of herbicides in soil and in the cropping system. Practical activities: Agro meteorological instrumentation, preparation and analysis of meteorological data. Preparation of fertilization plans according to regional regulations. Preparation of pans for weed management
Teaching methods
Lectures slides are available on http://www.acutis.it/It_corsi.htm. Referenced book: Odum E.P. -Ecologia. Un ponte tra scienza e società-, Piccin, 2001 Borin, M. -Introduzione all'ecologia del sistema agricoltura-, Cleup, 1999
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS - University credits: 10
Field activity: 8 hours
Practicals: 8 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Practicals: 8 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Professor:
Acutis Marco
Professor(s)