Agri-Environmental Evaluation of Cropping Systems
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
To teach how to carry out simple analyses of agronomic and environmental sustainability of cropping systems, and how to obtain the data needed for these evaluations.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to carry out farm surveys to evaluate sustainability, to summarise the data collected using agro-environmental indicators, and to evaluate the results. The student will also be able to propose mitigation measures and improvements, if needed.
Lesson period: Second semester
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
Second semester
Dear students, during 2021/2022 lessons and practicals are planned in presence.
If needed, lessons will be delivered synchronously using Microsoft Teams platform. The lessons will be recorded and made available on the Teams channel of the course for asynchronous consultations.
Exercises will be conducted remotely too.
Any further indications will be communicated to you by the teachers according to the evolution of the situation.
Whatever the teaching methods will be, no changes will be made to the programme, the references and the exam type.
If needed, lessons will be delivered synchronously using Microsoft Teams platform. The lessons will be recorded and made available on the Teams channel of the course for asynchronous consultations.
Exercises will be conducted remotely too.
Any further indications will be communicated to you by the teachers according to the evolution of the situation.
Whatever the teaching methods will be, no changes will be made to the programme, the references and the exam type.
Course syllabus
Lessons
- Introduction: sustainability in agriculture and mitigation of the environmental impacts of agricultural systems
- Possible approaches for assessing the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems
- Definition of indicator
- Budgeting and calculation of indicators: identification and definition of the system and functional unit; definition and measurement of the effects; inventory of direct and indirect inputs; allocation criteria
- Presentation of the principles for calculating agri-environmental indicators (e.g. nutrient balances; energy balances; humic balance; diversity indicators; environmental risk indicators linked to the use of pesticides).
- Presentation of the indicators that can be detected directly in field (eg risk of erosion, vegetative vigor, soil compaction, presence of crop residues).
Exercises
Analysis, evaluation and comparison of crop systems characterized by a different level of of inputs intensification.
The work will be carried out in the following phases:
- identification and organization of objectives, actions, deliverables and responsibilities. - - development of survey questionnaires;
- carrying out the surveys in two farms with a similar production address (eg two cereal farms) but with different management (eg a conventional farm and an organic farm).
- Survey of indicators in the field.
- Organization of data and calculation of agro-environmental indicators.
- Comment and discussion of the indicators.
- Identification of improvement solutions.
- Drafting of a summary document in which the results are presented and discussed.
- Introduction: sustainability in agriculture and mitigation of the environmental impacts of agricultural systems
- Possible approaches for assessing the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems
- Definition of indicator
- Budgeting and calculation of indicators: identification and definition of the system and functional unit; definition and measurement of the effects; inventory of direct and indirect inputs; allocation criteria
- Presentation of the principles for calculating agri-environmental indicators (e.g. nutrient balances; energy balances; humic balance; diversity indicators; environmental risk indicators linked to the use of pesticides).
- Presentation of the indicators that can be detected directly in field (eg risk of erosion, vegetative vigor, soil compaction, presence of crop residues).
Exercises
Analysis, evaluation and comparison of crop systems characterized by a different level of of inputs intensification.
The work will be carried out in the following phases:
- identification and organization of objectives, actions, deliverables and responsibilities. - - development of survey questionnaires;
- carrying out the surveys in two farms with a similar production address (eg two cereal farms) but with different management (eg a conventional farm and an organic farm).
- Survey of indicators in the field.
- Organization of data and calculation of agro-environmental indicators.
- Comment and discussion of the indicators.
- Identification of improvement solutions.
- Drafting of a summary document in which the results are presented and discussed.
Prerequisites for admission
Agronomy
Teaching methods
2.0 credits as lessons + 4.0 credits as laboratory practical experiences
Teaching Resources
Il docente fornirà materiale estratto da testi, report ed articoli scientifici
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam with questions and calculation exercises.
Oral presentation of case studies dealt with during the course of the second part of the course.
Oral presentation of case studies dealt with during the course of the second part of the course.
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS - University credits: 6
Field activity: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 48 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professor:
Ragaglini Giorgio
Professor(s)