Laboratory in Sustainability of Agricultural Mechanization
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The sustainability of mechanized operations that enable agricultural and forestry production is a very important goal in all production scenarios: from those oriented towards the production of raw materials, to those mainly oriented towards self-consumption. In both cases, agricultural mechanization must be an input factor based on technical solutions that - in addition to ensuring greater productivity - minimize environmental impacts and respect the principles of the circular economy. The objective of the course is to lead students to an understanding of the problems related to the correct choice and sustainable management of agricultural machinery, in different operating conditions. In particular, the course will deal with the main aspects related to the interaction of ag-machinery on air and soil-water systems, proposing approaches for the quantification of the parameters necessary for a subsequent definition of environmental impacts.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will master the principles of sustainable agricultural machinery operation. This involves understanding how to balance increased productivity with environmental impact through the analysis of machine interactions with air, soil, and water systems. This general result will be achieved through the acquisition of competencies and skills to: identify and quantify key parameters that influence the environmental impact of mechanical operations in agriculture; analyse the trade-offs between productivity and environmental sustainability; apply targeted operational solutions and technological advancements to achieve sustainable practices; independently develop and present a project that applies these principles to a real-world case study; create a technical report with calculations to support the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices.
Lesson period: First semester
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
First semester
Course syllabus
Agricultural Mechanization: General Functional Aspects and Sustainability of Its Use
Atmosphere System: Air quality parameters. Machine-atmosphere interactions
Topic 1: Internal combustion engines (Diesel)
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(1A) Required engine power
(1B) Importance of efficiency; fuel, lubricant, and additive consumption
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 2: Exhaust gases
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(2A) Emissions of exhaust gases
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Soil & Water System: Soil quality parameters. Machine-soil-water interactions
Topic 1: Soil compaction
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(1A) Tractor weight, engine power, and fuel consumption in conventional and conservation tillage systems
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 2: Product transport
Theoretical aspects and modeling:
(2A) Optimization of transport modules between field and storage center
(2B) Fleet sizing of transport modules
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 3: Precision Agriculture and input distribution
Theoretical aspects: What is precision agriculture ?
Applications and basic modeling
(3A) Optimization of mineral and organic fertilization
(3B) Optimization of seeding
(3C) Optimization of crop protection treatments
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 4: Digital Agriculture
Optimization of farm management processes and digital recording of operations and inputs
Atmosphere System: Air quality parameters. Machine-atmosphere interactions
Topic 1: Internal combustion engines (Diesel)
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(1A) Required engine power
(1B) Importance of efficiency; fuel, lubricant, and additive consumption
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 2: Exhaust gases
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(2A) Emissions of exhaust gases
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Soil & Water System: Soil quality parameters. Machine-soil-water interactions
Topic 1: Soil compaction
Theoretical aspects and basic modeling:
(1A) Tractor weight, engine power, and fuel consumption in conventional and conservation tillage systems
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 2: Product transport
Theoretical aspects and modeling:
(2A) Optimization of transport modules between field and storage center
(2B) Fleet sizing of transport modules
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 3: Precision Agriculture and input distribution
Theoretical aspects: What is precision agriculture ?
Applications and basic modeling
(3A) Optimization of mineral and organic fertilization
(3B) Optimization of seeding
(3C) Optimization of crop protection treatments
Technological innovations for impact mitigation
Topic 4: Digital Agriculture
Optimization of farm management processes and digital recording of operations and inputs
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of physics and the organization of agricultural processes is required to successfully follow the course.
Additionally, a general understanding of agricultural mechanization and energy systems can be quite useful for students interested in undertaking this course.
Additionally, a general understanding of agricultural mechanization and energy systems can be quite useful for students interested in undertaking this course.
Teaching methods
The teaching activities will be based on the presentation of concepts and methods through slides and commented video materials, the illustration of basic quantitative models, and computer-based exercises designed to develop more complex and structured models.
Teaching Resources
The teaching materials used during the course (lectures, computer-based exercises), presentations for the in-depth study of selected topics, tables, and bibliographic documents are available on the MyAriel platform of UniMI
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student, either individually or in a group (maximum three members), will be required to study and present a complete mechanization project with high sustainability, designed for a specific agricultural scenario.
To this end, they will apply the knowledge acquired during the course and make use of technical and bibliographic resources provided by the instructors or available online.
By employing spreadsheets and digital communication tools, the project must address contextualization, problem description, and quantitative analysis.
The final assessment, covering the entire course, will be expressed on a scale of 30 points.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
To this end, they will apply the knowledge acquired during the course and make use of technical and bibliographic resources provided by the instructors or available online.
By employing spreadsheets and digital communication tools, the project must address contextualization, problem description, and quantitative analysis.
The final assessment, covering the entire course, will be expressed on a scale of 30 points.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/09 - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Oberti Roberto
Professor(s)
Reception:
make an appointment
via Celoria 2 - Building 10: Ingegneria Agraria