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MOUNTAIN AGRONOMY
PARIDE D'OTTAVIO

Seat Agraria
A.A. A.A. 2016-2017
Credits 6
Hours 54
Period 2^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code SFA 3A168

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of plant biology,  chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Development of the course

The teaching method includes lectures (4CFU) adopting power point presentations (provided in copies to the students), computer room practical exercises and field visits to farms and mountain areas (2 CFU). The course will be also available through an e-learning version using the Moodle platform. Within this platform, the course will be divided into: (i) teaching materials composed by different learning units; (ii) self-assessment tests; (iii) field trip information and reservations.

 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge. The course enables students to acquire the fundamental knowledge about the characteristics and the relations between the main factors (climatic, edaphic and biological) of the crop production and of the cropping techniques, with particular regard to the mountain environment. Furthermore, the course provides the basic principle for the classification of the main crops used in mountain areas.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding. The main aim of this course is to provide a fully development ability of the students to adopt an integrated analysis of the production factors in order to identify strategies and tools for the management of the main crops used in the uplands.

 

Cross-expertise. (i) making judgements: ability to identify the information needed to manage the crops in mountain areas; (ii) communications: ability to clearly and exhaustively communicate notions, ideas, problems and technical solutions to interlocutors, either professional or not, representative of the various and specific competencies in the mountain agro-pastoral systems (engineer, architect, biologist, administrator).

Program

1. Course presentation. Classification of the main upland crops with particular regard to cereals, temporary and permanent forage crops (1 ECT).

2. Crop production factors: characteristics, effect on the plants and management strategies. The relation between climate and crop production: solar radiation, temperature, rainfall, wind. Analysis of the main climatic parameters, building and use of climodiagrams. Soil: texture, structure, soil hydrology and other properties (3 ECTS).

3. Agronomic management practices. Soil tillage: aims, functions, tools, classification, new orientations. Soil water management: runoff management, dryland farming, irrigation. Soil fertility management: organic matter, organic and mineral fertilizers, fertilization techniques. Crop rotation and mixtures: aims, functions, classification, new orientations (2 ECTS).

Development of the examination

Learning evaluation methods

Oral discussion on three of the subjects listed in the teaching program. During the course, there are also going to be available self-evaluation tests (e-learning mode), in order to provide the students useful information about their skill level.

 

Learning evaluation criteria

In the oral classwork, the student will have to demonstrate the knowledge: (i) of the main crop production factors (climatic, edaphic and biological), with particular regard to the mountain environment; (ii) of the main crops management practices; (iii) of the principles used for the agronomic classification of the crops. To pass the oral exam, the student must demonstrate both an overall understanding of the contents using appropriate technical terminology, and the ability to perform an integrated analysis of the different issues.

 

 

Learning measurement criteria

The final mark is attributed in thirtieths. Successful completion of the examination will lead to grades ranging from 18 to 30 “cum laude”.

 

Final mark allocation criteria

The oral examination consists of three questions concerning the subjects listed in the teaching programme; each of ones will be quantified in the range 0 - 10. The degree of 30 “cum laude” is attributed when the student demonstrates complete mastery of the subject.

Recommended reading

F. BONCIARELLI, U. BONCIARELLI, Agronomia. Edagricole, Milano, 2003.

L. GIARDINI, A come agronomia. Pàtron editore, Bologna, 2003.

R. BALDONI, GIARDINI L., 2000. Coltivazioni erbacee. 3 volumes. Pàtron editore, Bologna.

 

 

Tutorial session

 

Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Courses

• C.L.T. - Scienze Forestali ed Ambientali (SFA)