Soil and Plant Science
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The Course aimed to provide knowledge of what is soil and to give basic principles of plant biochemistry and physiology.
1. The aim of the Soil Teaching Unit is to introduce students to theorical and practical knowledge of soil composition and characteristics and of the main physical, chemical and biological processes influencing crop production and quality.
2. The aim of the Plant Teaching Unit is the knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and the plant adaptive responses to the environment in order to understand the mechanisms involved in crop plant production.
1. The aim of the Soil Teaching Unit is to introduce students to theorical and practical knowledge of soil composition and characteristics and of the main physical, chemical and biological processes influencing crop production and quality.
2. The aim of the Plant Teaching Unit is the knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and the plant adaptive responses to the environment in order to understand the mechanisms involved in crop plant production.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Understanding the importance of soil for crop production and environmental protection. Ability to choose the specific parameters, to individuate the specific analytical techniques and to make correct interpretations of soil analysis.
2. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy and matter transformation in plants. Knowledge of basic biochemical and physiological processes determining crop plant production. Criteria and methods for preliminary evaluation of the effects of environmental and stress conditions on plant crop production.
2. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy and matter transformation in plants. Knowledge of basic biochemical and physiological processes determining crop plant production. Criteria and methods for preliminary evaluation of the effects of environmental and stress conditions on plant crop production.
Lesson period: First 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
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic concepts of Botany and General, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
Assessment methods and Criteria
There will be two separate exams for the two units.
Modulo Scienza del Suolo:
The exam consists in a written comment to a soil test (1h)and in an oral examination. Passing the written test will be mandatory to take the oral exam. The evaluation is expressed by a mark out of thirty that will be published on Ariel website.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Exam consists of two written tests (one at the middle and the other at the end of the course). Each test includes: 17 closed-ended questions (to assess learning notions; value = 1 point each) + 4 open-ended questions (to assess synthesis skills; value = 2 points each) + 1 open-ended question that requires an extensive dissertation on a topic of the course program (to assess the ability to set up a scientific theme; value = 3 points). The test will be the same for both attending and not attending students. For students with certified difficulties the written test will include 20 closed-ended questions (value = 1.5 point each); these students will have more time available to complete the test and will be allowed to use conceptual maps, when previously approved by the professor. If necessary, oral exams can be agreed. The final score of the Plant Science module, out of thirty, considers both tests and will be published on Ariel website.
The final score of the whole course (Soil and Plant Science) will be the mean of the score obtained in the single modules.
Modulo Scienza del Suolo:
The exam consists in a written comment to a soil test (1h)and in an oral examination. Passing the written test will be mandatory to take the oral exam. The evaluation is expressed by a mark out of thirty that will be published on Ariel website.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Exam consists of two written tests (one at the middle and the other at the end of the course). Each test includes: 17 closed-ended questions (to assess learning notions; value = 1 point each) + 4 open-ended questions (to assess synthesis skills; value = 2 points each) + 1 open-ended question that requires an extensive dissertation on a topic of the course program (to assess the ability to set up a scientific theme; value = 3 points). The test will be the same for both attending and not attending students. For students with certified difficulties the written test will include 20 closed-ended questions (value = 1.5 point each); these students will have more time available to complete the test and will be allowed to use conceptual maps, when previously approved by the professor. If necessary, oral exams can be agreed. The final score of the Plant Science module, out of thirty, considers both tests and will be published on Ariel website.
The final score of the whole course (Soil and Plant Science) will be the mean of the score obtained in the single modules.
Scienza del suolo
Course syllabus
The course presents basic concepts of soil science, with special attention to chemical, physical and biological processes that influence crop production and quality.
What is a soil? Mineral and organic constituents. Soil as an open system: profile formation, mass transfer into air and water. Soil as a multicomponent system: gaseous, solid and liquid phases. Soil minerals: parents materials and weathering products. Clays and oxides. (1CFU) Soil organic matter: elemental composition, plant derived biomolecules, humic substances. Types of humus. Carbon cycle. (1CFU)
How to describe soil ? Physical properties: texture, structure, real and bulk density, porosity. The interfacial relationship: adsorption and exchange. Surface charges, double layer theory, exchange reactions. Cation and anion exchange. Base saturation. Soil acidity: what is pH and how it is measured? Chemistry of acid soils and correction of soil acidity: lime requirement. Calcareous soils: effects on nutrient phytoavailability. Saline and sodic soils. (2 CFU)
Soil and nutrients. Biogeochemistry of soil nitrogen, and of soil phosphorus. The bioavailability concept. Evaluation of fertility status by soil analysis (1 CFU).
Practices in laboratory: (0.5 CFU)
Interpretation of soil test results: practises in classroom (0.5 CFU).
What is a soil? Mineral and organic constituents. Soil as an open system: profile formation, mass transfer into air and water. Soil as a multicomponent system: gaseous, solid and liquid phases. Soil minerals: parents materials and weathering products. Clays and oxides. (1CFU) Soil organic matter: elemental composition, plant derived biomolecules, humic substances. Types of humus. Carbon cycle. (1CFU)
How to describe soil ? Physical properties: texture, structure, real and bulk density, porosity. The interfacial relationship: adsorption and exchange. Surface charges, double layer theory, exchange reactions. Cation and anion exchange. Base saturation. Soil acidity: what is pH and how it is measured? Chemistry of acid soils and correction of soil acidity: lime requirement. Calcareous soils: effects on nutrient phytoavailability. Saline and sodic soils. (2 CFU)
Soil and nutrients. Biogeochemistry of soil nitrogen, and of soil phosphorus. The bioavailability concept. Evaluation of fertility status by soil analysis (1 CFU).
Practices in laboratory: (0.5 CFU)
Interpretation of soil test results: practises in classroom (0.5 CFU).
Teaching methods
The course consists of frontal teaching (5 CFU), lab activities (0.5 CFU) and classroom activities (0.5 CFU).
Attendance is optional, although highly recommended, especially at the practical activities.
Attendance is optional, although highly recommended, especially at the practical activities.
Teaching Resources
Course materials are available at https://pzaccheoss.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/default.aspx
Textbooks: P. Sequi, C. Ciavatta e T. Miano (2017) Fondamenti di chimica del suolo
Pàtron;
Pietro Violante (2013) Chimica e fertilità del suolo Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole.
Textbooks: P. Sequi, C. Ciavatta e T. Miano (2017) Fondamenti di chimica del suolo
Pàtron;
Pietro Violante (2013) Chimica e fertilità del suolo Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole.
Biochimica e fisiologia vegetale
Course syllabus
Bioenergetics and thermodynamics: chemical and electrochemical potentials. Kinetics of enzymatic catalysis (1 CFU). Carbon metabolism: glycolysis and fermentation, Krebs cycle, electron flux and oxidative phosphorylation (1 CFU). Photosynthesis: photosystems, photosynthetic electron flux and photophosphorylation. Carbon assimilation (C3, C4), ecophysiology of photosynthesis, carbon allocation (1 CFU). Water physiology: water potential, osmosis and cell growth, water absorption by the root, xylem and phloem transport, transpiration, regulation of stomata opening, water balance and plant adaptation to water stress (1 CFU). Mineral nutrition: thermodynamics and kinetics of transmembrane solute transport (1 CFU). Nitrate and sulfate assimilation. Phloem transport, sink and source relationship. Classroom exercises (1 CFU)
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
Teaching material is available for students at the https://nnegrinibfv.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Recommended textbooks: 1 - Lehninger A.L., Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. Introduzione alla biochimica. Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna. 2 - Taiz L., Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Ed. Piccin Padova
Other textbooks: 1- N. Rascio et al. "Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale", EdiSES, Bologna, 2012. 2 - Alpi A., Pupillo P, Rigano C. Fisiologia delle Piante. EdiSES, Bologna.
Recommended textbooks: 1 - Lehninger A.L., Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. Introduzione alla biochimica. Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna. 2 - Taiz L., Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Ed. Piccin Padova
Other textbooks: 1- N. Rascio et al. "Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale", EdiSES, Bologna, 2012. 2 - Alpi A., Pupillo P, Rigano C. Fisiologia delle Piante. EdiSES, Bologna.
Biochimica e fisiologia vegetale
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Negrini Noemi
Scienza del suolo
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 8 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Zaccheo Patrizia
Professor(s)