Agricultural Genetics and Crop Science
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the basis of plant genetics for understanding the genetics of crops and biotechnology applied to plant breeding. In addition, aim of the course is to provide the students with knowledge on the most important herbaceous field crops grown in Italy. For each species, its world distribution and relevance, main botanical, physiological and agronomic features, and cropping techniques will be treated.The aim of the course is to provide the basis of plant genetics for understanding the genetics of crops and biotechnology applied to plant breeding. In addition, aim of the course is to provide the students with knowledge on the most important herbaceous field crops grown in Italy. For each species, its world distribution and relevance, main botanical, physiological and agronomic features, and cropping techniques will be treated.
Expected learning outcomes
In this course the student will acquire the knowledge regarding the fundamental techniques used in plant breeding, from classical plant breeding (e.g. recurrent selection, inbred line extraction, backcrossing, hybrid varieties and mutagenesis ) to modern molecular tools (e. g. marker assisted selection, genetic modified crops). In addition the students will acquire technical and scientific knowledge to work in the cereal, forage-livestock, agro-food, agro-energy and seed sectors.In this course the student will acquire the knowledge regarding the fundamental techniques used in plant breeding, from classical plant breeding (e.g. recurrent selection, inbred line extraction, backcrossing, hybrid varieties and mutagenesis ) to modern molecular tools (e. g. marker assisted selection, genetic modified crops). In addition the students will acquire technical and scientific knowledge to work in the cereal, forage-livestock, agro-food, agro-energy and seed sectors.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
Unità Didattica 1: 80% of the lessons will be held on the Teams platform and the remaining 20% in the classroom.
Unità Didattica 2: 80% of the lessons will be held on the Teams platform and the remaining 20% in the classroom.
Unità Didattica 2: 80% of the lessons will be held on the Teams platform and the remaining 20% in the classroom.
Course syllabus
Unità Didattica I:Essentials of Genetics: Quantitative genetics and Population genetics. Chromosome and gene mutations. Plant propagations: allogamy, autogamy and vegetative propagation. Genetic constitution of the main crops: natural populations, ecotypes, synthetic populations, clones, inbreed lines, hybrids. Essential of genetics improvement in plant breeding: recurrent selection, inbred line extraction, backcrossing, hybrid varieties and mutagenesis.
Unità Didattica II:Introduction. The herbaceous field crops of the Italian agriculture: their classification. The productivity of the herbaceous species and the prospects for the quantitative increase and the qualitative improvement of the products of the main crops. Cereals: wheat, corn, rice. Grain legumes: soybeans. Industrial crops: Tomato, Rapeseed, Sunflower. Tuber plants: potato. Fodder: classification and agronomic problems; large forage families: grasses and legumes; grasslands; meadows and pastures; fodder conservation. For each of the cropping systems, various aspect will be addressed in the course, such as the physiological response of the crops, either grain or forage crops, to the pedoclimatic conditions, field management practices, harvesting methods and times, and forage conservation methods. The course also aims to provide knowledge about the environmental impacts of cropping systems on cereal and livestock farms.
Unità Didattica II:Introduction. The herbaceous field crops of the Italian agriculture: their classification. The productivity of the herbaceous species and the prospects for the quantitative increase and the qualitative improvement of the products of the main crops. Cereals: wheat, corn, rice. Grain legumes: soybeans. Industrial crops: Tomato, Rapeseed, Sunflower. Tuber plants: potato. Fodder: classification and agronomic problems; large forage families: grasses and legumes; grasslands; meadows and pastures; fodder conservation. For each of the cropping systems, various aspect will be addressed in the course, such as the physiological response of the crops, either grain or forage crops, to the pedoclimatic conditions, field management practices, harvesting methods and times, and forage conservation methods. The course also aims to provide knowledge about the environmental impacts of cropping systems on cereal and livestock farms.
Prerequisites for admission
Unità Didattica I: no
Unità Didattica II: Agronomy and Soil Chemestry
Unità Didattica II: Agronomy and Soil Chemestry
Teaching methods
Unità Didattica I e II: Courses use e-learning teaching tools present in the Ariel 2.0 platform (Power Point slides). The Teachers will use Teams platform. All the activities will contribute to gaining the Expected Learning Outcomes.
Teaching Resources
Unità Didattica I: Notes and course slides. Reference books: " Genetica e genomica, Volume II. Liguore Editore. Authors Gianni Barcaccia e Mario Falcinelli.
Unità Didattica II: Slide (disponibili sul sito Ariel)
De Caria, F., Bocchi, S. Colture erbacee - Riconoscimento e descrizione morfologica. Edizioni Libreria Cortina Milano. 2017
Scientific papers provided by the teacher during the lessons.
Unità Didattica II: Slide (disponibili sul sito Ariel)
De Caria, F., Bocchi, S. Colture erbacee - Riconoscimento e descrizione morfologica. Edizioni Libreria Cortina Milano. 2017
Scientific papers provided by the teacher during the lessons.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Unità Didattica I: oral test
Unità Didattica II: The exam is written. It is made of 3 questions on the whole programme. The optimal length of an answer is a whole page written by hand. The exam lasts one hour and half. The mark is assigned by averaging the marks of each answer.
The evaluation considers: a) the use of adequate language; b) the correctness of the contents; c) the completeness of the answers. Missing contents reduce the mark.
An oral exam is not planned, but it is possible to arrange an appointment by email.
Exams sessions will be in January, February, April, June, July, September, November.
Unità Didattica II: The exam is written. It is made of 3 questions on the whole programme. The optimal length of an answer is a whole page written by hand. The exam lasts one hour and half. The mark is assigned by averaging the marks of each answer.
The evaluation considers: a) the use of adequate language; b) the correctness of the contents; c) the completeness of the answers. Missing contents reduce the mark.
An oral exam is not planned, but it is possible to arrange an appointment by email.
Exams sessions will be in January, February, April, June, July, September, November.
Essentials of Agricultural Genetics
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Pilu Salvatore Roberto
Field crops
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS
AGR/07 - AGRICULTURAL GENETICS
Field activity: 8 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Professor:
Perego Alessia
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)