Physiology and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The first part of the course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of the main biochemical and physiological processes of plants, including photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, development and secondary metabolism. The educational activity proposes the learning of the relationships between primary and secondary metabolism and the main plant-environment interactions. These topics are explored in relation to the productivity and quality of medicinal plants, providing useful concepts for the professions that the graduate can access.
The second part of the course aims to present the production of medicinal plants, highlighting its characteristics, problems and perspectives. The primary objective of the course is to provide basic knowledge of the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, with particular reference to organic farming techniques, highlighting the effects that agricultural practices can have on the quality of production. For this purpose, some of the most commonly cultivated species will be presented in detail, in order to allow the acquisition of specific skills regarding their propagation and cultivation.
The second part of the course aims to present the production of medicinal plants, highlighting its characteristics, problems and perspectives. The primary objective of the course is to provide basic knowledge of the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, with particular reference to organic farming techniques, highlighting the effects that agricultural practices can have on the quality of production. For this purpose, some of the most commonly cultivated species will be presented in detail, in order to allow the acquisition of specific skills regarding their propagation and cultivation.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be required to have a theoretical knowledge of the biochemical and physiological processes that support plant growth and development and that determine the capability of plants to adapt to agricultural and environmental conditions. Knowledge of the biosynthetic pathways of the main plant secondary metabolites and their physiological functions during plant interactions with the ecosystem will also be required. Students will have had to acquire tools to understand how the main agro-environmental factors affect the productivity and content of metabolites of interest in medicinal plants. Moreover, the students will acquire knowledge of the characteristics and issues related to the sector of medicinal plant production and will achieve a basic preparation regarding the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, with the aim of maximizing both quantitative and qualitative production while respecting the environment. It will be required the ability to expose the knowledge acquired during the oral exam using the correct terminology.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
WATER BALANCE IN PLANT - Water content in plants. Water: diffusion, capillarity and mass flow. The water potential in plant cell. Water balance in plants. Water in the soil. Water uptake by roots. Water transport through the xylem. Leaf transpiration.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN HIGHER PLANTS - Introduction to photosynthesis. The light and the photosynthetic pigments. The Z-scheme of photosynthesis. The light harvest complexes. The roles of photosystems II and I. The electron and proton transfer systems. The ubiquinone pool and the cytochrome b6f complex. The photophosphorylation. The Calvin cycle and its regulation. The photorespiration. The C4 carbon cycle and the crassulacean acid metabolism. Plant adaptation to light conditions. The responses to oxidative stress in chloroplasts. Case studies regarding the effects of light and water availability on the production and quality of medicinal plants.
PLANT MINERAL NUTRITION AND SOLUTE TRANSPORT. Plant mineral nutrition. Macro- and micro- nutrients. The concept of rhizosphere and the soil-plant-microorganism interactions. The mycorrhizae. Iron acquisition. The chemical potential and the active and passive transport of solutes. The plant cell membrane potential. Transport systems: pumps, channels and carriers. The kinetic properties of transport systems. Plant nitrogen nutrition. The uptake and reduction of nitrate. Ammonium assimilation. Biological nitrogen fixation. Sulfur assimilation. Summary of amino acid metabolism in plants. Case studies regarding nitrogen nutrition in medicinal plants. Sink-source relations in plant organs. Phloem translocation: characteristics and the mechanisms of loading and unloading.
PLANT DEVELOPMENT - Seed: characteristics, germination and utilization of reserves. Plant responses to red-light: phytochromes, photoperiod and flowering control. Plant responses to blue light. Stomatal opening. Main concepts about plant hormones. Auxin: transport and effects on plant development. Gibberellins: effects on plant growth and development and on seed germination. Cytokinins: regulators of cell proliferation. Ethylene: roles in foliar abscission and in fruit ripening. Abscisic acid: roles in plant responses to drought stress and in seed maturation.
PLANT SECONDARY METABOLISM - Eco-physiological aspects of secondary metabolism: defence and communication. Biosynthetic pathways and physiological functions of terpenes. Biosynthesis and physiological roles of phenolic compounds (simple phenols, lignin, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins and stilbenes). Biosynthesis and physiological roles of nitrogen-containing secondary compounds (alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, and nonprotein amino acids).
CULTIVATION
- Description of the sector of aromatic and medicinal plant production.
- Effect of genetic, pedological, climatic and agronomic factors on the content of secondary metabolites.
- The soil: chemical, physical, biological and hydrological properties; tillage and other soil works.
- Crop rotation and intercropping.
- Principles and technique of fertilization and irrigation.
- Control of weeds, pathogens and parasites (basic principles).
- Harvesting and storage.
- Protocols of cultivation; organic cultivation methods.
- Botanical description, composition, utilization, pedological and climatic requirements, propagation and cultivation of some important species, such as mint, sage, chamomile, echinacea, lavender, mauve, saffron, aloe, hemp.
The species addressed may vary according to the interests of the students.
WATER BALANCE IN PLANT - Water content in plants. Water: diffusion, capillarity and mass flow. The water potential in plant cell. Water balance in plants. Water in the soil. Water uptake by roots. Water transport through the xylem. Leaf transpiration.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN HIGHER PLANTS - Introduction to photosynthesis. The light and the photosynthetic pigments. The Z-scheme of photosynthesis. The light harvest complexes. The roles of photosystems II and I. The electron and proton transfer systems. The ubiquinone pool and the cytochrome b6f complex. The photophosphorylation. The Calvin cycle and its regulation. The photorespiration. The C4 carbon cycle and the crassulacean acid metabolism. Plant adaptation to light conditions. The responses to oxidative stress in chloroplasts. Case studies regarding the effects of light and water availability on the production and quality of medicinal plants.
PLANT MINERAL NUTRITION AND SOLUTE TRANSPORT. Plant mineral nutrition. Macro- and micro- nutrients. The concept of rhizosphere and the soil-plant-microorganism interactions. The mycorrhizae. Iron acquisition. The chemical potential and the active and passive transport of solutes. The plant cell membrane potential. Transport systems: pumps, channels and carriers. The kinetic properties of transport systems. Plant nitrogen nutrition. The uptake and reduction of nitrate. Ammonium assimilation. Biological nitrogen fixation. Sulfur assimilation. Summary of amino acid metabolism in plants. Case studies regarding nitrogen nutrition in medicinal plants. Sink-source relations in plant organs. Phloem translocation: characteristics and the mechanisms of loading and unloading.
PLANT DEVELOPMENT - Seed: characteristics, germination and utilization of reserves. Plant responses to red-light: phytochromes, photoperiod and flowering control. Plant responses to blue light. Stomatal opening. Main concepts about plant hormones. Auxin: transport and effects on plant development. Gibberellins: effects on plant growth and development and on seed germination. Cytokinins: regulators of cell proliferation. Ethylene: roles in foliar abscission and in fruit ripening. Abscisic acid: roles in plant responses to drought stress and in seed maturation.
PLANT SECONDARY METABOLISM - Eco-physiological aspects of secondary metabolism: defence and communication. Biosynthetic pathways and physiological functions of terpenes. Biosynthesis and physiological roles of phenolic compounds (simple phenols, lignin, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins and stilbenes). Biosynthesis and physiological roles of nitrogen-containing secondary compounds (alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, and nonprotein amino acids).
CULTIVATION
- Description of the sector of aromatic and medicinal plant production.
- Effect of genetic, pedological, climatic and agronomic factors on the content of secondary metabolites.
- The soil: chemical, physical, biological and hydrological properties; tillage and other soil works.
- Crop rotation and intercropping.
- Principles and technique of fertilization and irrigation.
- Control of weeds, pathogens and parasites (basic principles).
- Harvesting and storage.
- Protocols of cultivation; organic cultivation methods.
- Botanical description, composition, utilization, pedological and climatic requirements, propagation and cultivation of some important species, such as mint, sage, chamomile, echinacea, lavender, mauve, saffron, aloe, hemp.
The species addressed may vary according to the interests of the students.
Prerequisites for admission
Compulsory preparatory courses: Organic Chemistry, Plant Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany. The section regarding plant cultivation does not require preparatory courses.
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures. Attendance is not mandatory but recommended. For students not attending the program and materials are the same.
INNOVATIVE TEACHING
Physiology: some parts of the course will be covered by engaging students in interactive quizzes, remote lessons, and blended learning activities.
Cultivation: the special part of the program will be approached interactively, actively involving students in the preparation and in-class presentation of short lessons dedicated to medicinal plant species of particular interest.
INNOVATIVE TEACHING
Physiology: some parts of the course will be covered by engaging students in interactive quizzes, remote lessons, and blended learning activities.
Cultivation: the special part of the program will be approached interactively, actively involving students in the preparation and in-class presentation of short lessons dedicated to medicinal plant species of particular interest.
Teaching Resources
Lecture slides and materials provided by the teachers.
Recommended textbooks:
1) A) 2016. Taiz L, Zeiger E, Møller IM, Murphy A. (2016). Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria B) Rascio N. (2017). Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. EdiSES. The two textbooks are alternatives.
2) Catizone P., Barbanti L., Marotti I., Dinelli G. (2013). Produzione ed impiego delle piante officinali. Pàtron editore.
3) Marzi V., De Castro G. (2008): Piante officinali. Adda Editore.
Recommended textbooks:
1) A) 2016. Taiz L, Zeiger E, Møller IM, Murphy A. (2016). Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Piccin Nuova Libraria B) Rascio N. (2017). Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. EdiSES. The two textbooks are alternatives.
2) Catizone P., Barbanti L., Marotti I., Dinelli G. (2013). Produzione ed impiego delle piante officinali. Pàtron editore.
3) Marzi V., De Castro G. (2008): Piante officinali. Adda Editore.
Assessment methods and Criteria
PHYSIOLOGY: student learning is evaluated by an oral interview, through 3-4 open questions. Evaluation in thirtieths. The purpose of the examination is to ascertain knowledge and understanding; the mastery of the specific terminology and the ability to explain; the ability to apply the acquired knowledge.
CULTIVATION: written test. Multiple choice and open questions. Evaluation in thirtieths. The assessment will consider the level of understanding, correctness in the presentation, appropriateness in the use of technical-scientific language and the ability to synthesize.
The final mark will be the weighted average of the marks obtained in the two exams, based on the number of credits (CFU).
Students with specific learning disabilities or other disabilities are requested to contact the teacher via email at least 15 days before the exam session to agree on any personal compensatory measure. In the email addressed to the teacher, the respective University services must be reported in CC: [email protected] (for students with LD) and [email protected] (for students with other disabilities).
CULTIVATION: written test. Multiple choice and open questions. Evaluation in thirtieths. The assessment will consider the level of understanding, correctness in the presentation, appropriateness in the use of technical-scientific language and the ability to synthesize.
The final mark will be the weighted average of the marks obtained in the two exams, based on the number of credits (CFU).
Students with specific learning disabilities or other disabilities are requested to contact the teacher via email at least 15 days before the exam session to agree on any personal compensatory measure. In the email addressed to the teacher, the respective University services must be reported in CC: [email protected] (for students with LD) and [email protected] (for students with other disabilities).
AGR/04 - VEGETABLE AND ORNAMENTAL CROPS - University credits: 3
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
Lessons: 64 hours
Professors:
Cocetta Giacomo, Prinsi Bhakti
Professor(s)
Reception:
Available by appointment via email
Via Celoria 2, Building 21100, first floor
Reception:
By appointment. Please request by email.
At the office. Bldg. 21090, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Milano. Alternatively, online on the Teams platform.