30057 - FISIOLOGIA E QUALITÀ DELLE PRODUZIONI ORTICOLE

Learning outcomes

The course will bring the student to comprehend the main features and problems affecting the horticultural sector, both for the crops oriented toward fresh consumption or processing. Students attending the course will  have the basic knowledge of crop physiology and will learn the elements related to vegetables quality and main pre- and post-harvest factors involved in its determination. The student will develop the capability to search, evaluate and integrate the scientific literature, both in the field of crop physiology and agronomy, altogether with the technical and economic knowledge, and will become able to develop points of view upon the current problematic affecting the sector both for in terms of product and process quality in horticulture

Course contents

Physiology of horticultural crop production with particular regard of plant stress response mechanisms. Biosystematic, botany and physiology, environmental requirement and adaptation, crop rotation, cultural practices , harvest and crop planning, product quality of the main crops for fresh market and processing  (Asparagus, Carrot, Cabbage, Cucumber, Chicory, Onion, Watermelon, Bean, French Bean, Lettuce, Eggplant, Melon, Potato, Pea, Bell Pepper, Tomato, Radicchio, Celery, Spinach, Zucchini).

Readings/Bibliography

- Notes of the lectures available at the DISTA Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroambientali (Dept. of Agro-Environmental Sciences and Technologies)
- Bianco V.V. e Pimpini F., Orticoltura, Patron.
- Pimpini F. (coord.), Principi tecnico-agronomici della fertirrigazione e del fuorisuolo, Veneto Agricoltura. 2002.

Indications on specific subjects will be provided upon request.

Teaching methods

The course will also include technical exercises and visits, which will be developed as:

-          guided visits in horticultural and nursery farms and to vegetable markets;

-          visit to experimental fields and evaluation of the results achieved.

Students will be actively involved and requested to present specific subjects to the class.

Assessment methods

- Oral final examination

Other than the official exam dates, it is possible, upon e-mail appointment, to define the date for the exam which may take place every Wednesday, whenever possible.

Teaching tools

Classes will be carried out using a PC and a video-projector.

Technical visits to commercial and experimental farms will be provided. Reference material and indications on how to perform a literature review will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Prosdocimi Gianquinto