Agricultural Systems and Soil Science
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course will start from the definition of agroecosystems and will then focus on their components (crops, soil and atmosphere) and their interactions. First, atmospheric variables will be described and quantified, and their impact on crop development and growth will be defined. Second, the soil chemical, physical, and biological properties will be defined, as well as their impact on crop growth and on processes of interest for environmental preservation. Finally, the crop water balance and the basic elements about irrigation will be presented.
All these contents will help students to get acquainted with agroecosystems from a functional point of view, and - together with the class of Ecology - will lie down the bases to be used in subsequent classes to understand the practical applications of plants and soils in forestry, nature-based solutions, water management, and environmental remediation.
Most of the contents will be delivered via lectures, integrated with short sessions dedicated to calculations.
All these contents will help students to get acquainted with agroecosystems from a functional point of view, and - together with the class of Ecology - will lie down the bases to be used in subsequent classes to understand the practical applications of plants and soils in forestry, nature-based solutions, water management, and environmental remediation.
Most of the contents will be delivered via lectures, integrated with short sessions dedicated to calculations.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding. The students will:
· know and understand the basic characteristics of atmosphere and soil.
· know and understand the processes of the soil-crop-atmosphere system that affect crop growth and development, and those that are of environmental interest.
Applying knowledge and understanding. The students will be able to:
· understand the interactions among soil, crop and atmosphere for a given agroecosystem.
· run simple calculations about crop growth and development in response to fundamental soil and atmospheric properties.
· understand how soil, crop, and atmosphere can impact the processes of environmental interest.
· know and understand the basic characteristics of atmosphere and soil.
· know and understand the processes of the soil-crop-atmosphere system that affect crop growth and development, and those that are of environmental interest.
Applying knowledge and understanding. The students will be able to:
· understand the interactions among soil, crop and atmosphere for a given agroecosystem.
· run simple calculations about crop growth and development in response to fundamental soil and atmospheric properties.
· understand how soil, crop, and atmosphere can impact the processes of environmental interest.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
SOIL SCIENCE
1) Soil definition: the soil as an open system. 1 CFU -The main soil functions: productive function, protective function, naturalistic function. -The soil as a three-phase system: solid, liquid and gas phase. -Minerals and rocks: non-silicate minerals, classification and structure of silicate minerals. Processes of mineral salteration. -Alteration of phyllosilicates: clays. Structure of clays: 1:1 clays, 2:1 clays, heterovalent isomorphic substitutions.
2) Soil physical properties: 1 CFU. Real and apparent texture, structure, density and porosity. - Organic matter: non-humic component and humic component, accumulation and consumption processes in relation to soil fertility. Role in soil fertility.
3) Soil chemical properties: 1 CFU. Adsorption and exchange: main theories; the characteristics and composition of the soil exchange complex, degree of basic saturation, specific and non-specific cationic and anionic adsorption-The soil / water ratios. - Soil / air relationships: soil as a respiratory system - Red-ox potential of the soil. -pH current and potential. Acid, saline, sodium, submerged soils. Soils with abnormal pH and their correction. Biogeochemical cycles: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and other meso and micro elements in relation to availability in the soil. - Fertilizers, soil improvers and corrective agents. - Fertilization plans. - Soil analysis with laboratory exercises.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
1) The agro-ecosystem concept. 1 CFU.
Agro-ecosystem definition and characteristics: driving variables, input and externalities. Different types of agro-ecosystems. Principles of agroecology and regenerative agriculture. Conventional farming, organic farming, conservation agriculture, agroforestry.
2) Agrometeorology. 1 CFU.
Sun radiation, temperature, rain. Reference, crop and actual evapotranspiration. The soil-plant hydrological balance.
3) Principles of cropping system management. 1 CFU
Mineral fertilization. Organic fertilization. Irrigation techniques and planning. Drainage systems. Crop rotation and intercropping. Crop protection against weeds.
There are no differences between attending and non-attending students
1) Soil definition: the soil as an open system. 1 CFU -The main soil functions: productive function, protective function, naturalistic function. -The soil as a three-phase system: solid, liquid and gas phase. -Minerals and rocks: non-silicate minerals, classification and structure of silicate minerals. Processes of mineral salteration. -Alteration of phyllosilicates: clays. Structure of clays: 1:1 clays, 2:1 clays, heterovalent isomorphic substitutions.
2) Soil physical properties: 1 CFU. Real and apparent texture, structure, density and porosity. - Organic matter: non-humic component and humic component, accumulation and consumption processes in relation to soil fertility. Role in soil fertility.
3) Soil chemical properties: 1 CFU. Adsorption and exchange: main theories; the characteristics and composition of the soil exchange complex, degree of basic saturation, specific and non-specific cationic and anionic adsorption-The soil / water ratios. - Soil / air relationships: soil as a respiratory system - Red-ox potential of the soil. -pH current and potential. Acid, saline, sodium, submerged soils. Soils with abnormal pH and their correction. Biogeochemical cycles: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and other meso and micro elements in relation to availability in the soil. - Fertilizers, soil improvers and corrective agents. - Fertilization plans. - Soil analysis with laboratory exercises.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
1) The agro-ecosystem concept. 1 CFU.
Agro-ecosystem definition and characteristics: driving variables, input and externalities. Different types of agro-ecosystems. Principles of agroecology and regenerative agriculture. Conventional farming, organic farming, conservation agriculture, agroforestry.
2) Agrometeorology. 1 CFU.
Sun radiation, temperature, rain. Reference, crop and actual evapotranspiration. The soil-plant hydrological balance.
3) Principles of cropping system management. 1 CFU
Mineral fertilization. Organic fertilization. Irrigation techniques and planning. Drainage systems. Crop rotation and intercropping. Crop protection against weeds.
There are no differences between attending and non-attending students
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics and computer science.
Teaching methods
The course is composed by lectures, supported by slides, available for student's download.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the course, available in ARIEL.
Villalobos, F.J., Fereres, E. (Eds.), 2016. Principles of Agronomy for Sustainable Agriculture. Springer International Publishing, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46116-8
There is no specific material for non-attending students.
Villalobos, F.J., Fereres, E. (Eds.), 2016. Principles of Agronomy for Sustainable Agriculture. Springer International Publishing, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46116-8
There is no specific material for non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written examination with four open questions. Two questions will be on soil science and two on agricultural systems. The expected length of the replies is about 200 words. A maximum score of five points will be applied to each question. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last two hours. The calculator can be used. There are no differences between attending and non-attending students.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the professors at least 15 days before the date of the exam to agree on individual exam requirements. In the e-mail, please make sure to add in Cc: the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the professors at least 15 days before the date of the exam to agree on individual exam requirements. In the e-mail, please make sure to add in Cc: the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/02 - AGRONOMY AND FIELD CROPS - University credits: 3
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 3
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Adani Fabrizio, Bechini Luca
Professor(s)
Reception:
on demand
DiSAA - Via Celoria 2, 20133 - building n. 21090, first floor Prof. Adani office
Reception:
By making an appointment.
In my office (Via Celoria 2, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Agronomia, 1st floor above "Aula 1")