Laboratory of Technologies for Plant Productions
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Based on the knowledge acquired in the "Cultivation, Quality, and Safety of Plant Products" teaching, the laboratory of technologies for plant productions aims to delve into aspects related to the management of protected horticultural production systems and open-field herbaceous systems. It also aims to acquire the necessary skills for the application of advanced techniques and technologies to support production processes. The laboratory, organized into two teaching units, concerning the management of protected horticultural systems (TU1) and the site-specific management of herbaceous crop systems (TU2), has the following specific objectives:
1) to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about installations, management methods, and technological means used in the cultivation of plants in protected environments, from greenhouses to vertical farms, with particular emphasis on the management of fertigation in soilless production systems and artificial lighting systems to optimize crop development.
2) to provide theoretical and practical skills for the development and application of prescription maps for site-specific weed management and site-specific fertilization, as well as to transfer required knowledge for acquisition, management, and processing of remote sensing data collected through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and the application of basic concepts for the development of prescription maps. Further insights will regard the application of treatments for pyralid biocontrol using UAV based systems.
1) to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about installations, management methods, and technological means used in the cultivation of plants in protected environments, from greenhouses to vertical farms, with particular emphasis on the management of fertigation in soilless production systems and artificial lighting systems to optimize crop development.
2) to provide theoretical and practical skills for the development and application of prescription maps for site-specific weed management and site-specific fertilization, as well as to transfer required knowledge for acquisition, management, and processing of remote sensing data collected through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and the application of basic concepts for the development of prescription maps. Further insights will regard the application of treatments for pyralid biocontrol using UAV based systems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the laboratory, students will have a basic understanding of the main production facilities and structures for protecting horticultural crops, the installations used for soilless cultivation, and the management of nutrient solutions. Additionally, students will gain basic knowledge of the main artificial lighting systems in greenhouses, light qualitative-quantitative measurement, and lighting programming.
Moreover, students will gain basic knowledge and skills for the operational management of prescription maps for variable-rate applications and site-specific management in weed control and nitrogen fertilization as well as the management of prescription maps by Virtual Terminal and the implementation of treatments by means of UAV for pyralid moth biocontrol.
Moreover, students will gain basic knowledge and skills for the operational management of prescription maps for variable-rate applications and site-specific management in weed control and nitrogen fertilization as well as the management of prescription maps by Virtual Terminal and the implementation of treatments by means of UAV for pyralid moth biocontrol.
Lesson period: year
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
year
Course syllabus
HERBACEOUS CROPPING SYSTEMS
First Semester
Lectures (1.5 CFU; 12 hours)
· Spatial variability in the development status of field crops (vigour, growth stage, and weed infestation). Site-specific management and prescription maps
· Remote and proximal sensing systems and methods for estimating crop vigour to enable variable-rate nitrogen fertilization
· Remote and proximal sensing systems and methods for estimating weed infestation for site-specific weed management
Computer Lab Exercises (1 CFU; 16 hours)
· GIS project development: organization of geo-referenced databases for analyzing crop condition variables
· Analysis of remote sensing data, calculation of vegetation indices, and comparison with field measurements
· Creation of prescription maps for site-specific weed control
Second Semester
Practical activities with external experts
Use of UAS (Drones) for Crop Monitoring and Control Treatments (1.75 ECTS; 28 hours):
· Principles of drone operation
· Flight planning
· Acquisition of RGB and multispectral images
· Image processing: orthorectification and mosaicking
· Corn borer control treatments using drones
Field Application of Prescription Maps (1.75 ECTS; 28 hours):
· How to upload a prescription map to a virtual terminal
· How to use the virtual terminal to set up machinery
· Obtaining prescription maps
HORTICULTURAL CROPPING SYSTEMS
First Semester
Lectures (1.5 ECTS credits; 12 hours)
· Design and management of nutrient solutions in hydroponic and soilless systems
· Main types of systems (floating system, NFT, ebb and flow, aeroponics)
· pH and electrical conductivity measurement systems and the approaches used to regulate and optimize fertigation management in soilless production systems
· Light-plant interaction in protected environments: effects on yield and quality
· Physiological responses of horticultural crops grown in protected environments (effects of light and fertigation management)
Greenhouse Practicals (0.5 ECTS credits; 8 hours)
Design and management of a simplified hydroponic cultivation system: preparation of nutrient solution, monitoring and adjustment of conductivity and pH, in vivo physiological assessment of the crop
Laboratory Practicals (0.5 ECTS credits; 8 hours)
Laboratory analyses aimed at the qualitative and physiological evaluation of horticultural products
Second Semester
Practical training with external experts
Design and management of artificial lighting systems (1.5 ECTS credits; 24 hours)
First Semester
Lectures (1.5 CFU; 12 hours)
· Spatial variability in the development status of field crops (vigour, growth stage, and weed infestation). Site-specific management and prescription maps
· Remote and proximal sensing systems and methods for estimating crop vigour to enable variable-rate nitrogen fertilization
· Remote and proximal sensing systems and methods for estimating weed infestation for site-specific weed management
Computer Lab Exercises (1 CFU; 16 hours)
· GIS project development: organization of geo-referenced databases for analyzing crop condition variables
· Analysis of remote sensing data, calculation of vegetation indices, and comparison with field measurements
· Creation of prescription maps for site-specific weed control
Second Semester
Practical activities with external experts
Use of UAS (Drones) for Crop Monitoring and Control Treatments (1.75 ECTS; 28 hours):
· Principles of drone operation
· Flight planning
· Acquisition of RGB and multispectral images
· Image processing: orthorectification and mosaicking
· Corn borer control treatments using drones
Field Application of Prescription Maps (1.75 ECTS; 28 hours):
· How to upload a prescription map to a virtual terminal
· How to use the virtual terminal to set up machinery
· Obtaining prescription maps
HORTICULTURAL CROPPING SYSTEMS
First Semester
Lectures (1.5 ECTS credits; 12 hours)
· Design and management of nutrient solutions in hydroponic and soilless systems
· Main types of systems (floating system, NFT, ebb and flow, aeroponics)
· pH and electrical conductivity measurement systems and the approaches used to regulate and optimize fertigation management in soilless production systems
· Light-plant interaction in protected environments: effects on yield and quality
· Physiological responses of horticultural crops grown in protected environments (effects of light and fertigation management)
Greenhouse Practicals (0.5 ECTS credits; 8 hours)
Design and management of a simplified hydroponic cultivation system: preparation of nutrient solution, monitoring and adjustment of conductivity and pH, in vivo physiological assessment of the crop
Laboratory Practicals (0.5 ECTS credits; 8 hours)
Laboratory analyses aimed at the qualitative and physiological evaluation of horticultural products
Second Semester
Practical training with external experts
Design and management of artificial lighting systems (1.5 ECTS credits; 24 hours)
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to attend and pass the exam of Cultivation, Quality, and Safety of Plant Products
Teaching methods
Lectures and laboratory activities conducted by university professors.
Laboratories and technical-practical field activities coordinated by external lecturers and professionals working in the fields covered by the course.
Laboratories and technical-practical field activities coordinated by external lecturers and professionals working in the fields covered by the course.
Teaching Resources
Recommended Reading
Casa, R., 2016. Agricoltura di precisione, Collana Edagricole Università e Formazione. Edagricole-New Business Media, Milano, Italy.
Tesi, R. (2001). Colture protette, ortoflorovivaismo. Calderini Edagricole.
Incrocci, Luca, et al. Colture fuori suolo. Idroponica e coltivazione in substrato. Edagricole-New Business Media srl, 2022.
Ariel
Teaching materials (slides and additional articles) will be provided by the instructor via the MyAriel course page.
Casa, R., 2016. Agricoltura di precisione, Collana Edagricole Università e Formazione. Edagricole-New Business Media, Milano, Italy.
Tesi, R. (2001). Colture protette, ortoflorovivaismo. Calderini Edagricole.
Incrocci, Luca, et al. Colture fuori suolo. Idroponica e coltivazione in substrato. Edagricole-New Business Media srl, 2022.
Ariel
Teaching materials (slides and additional articles) will be provided by the instructor via the MyAriel course page.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation will be based on an exam consisting of two oral tests: one related to the content covered with the university professors and the other concerning the activities carried out with external instructors. Both tests will be based on the students' presentation of the practical activities they completed, followed by in-depth and connection questions regarding the topics covered in the course. In addition to the accuracy of the answers, clarity of expression, appropriate use of language, and critical thinking will also be assessed.
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).
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).
- University credits: 10
Field activity: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 64 hours
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Computer room practicals: 64 hours
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Available by appointment via email
Via Celoria 2, Building 21100, first floor