29718 - General Agronomy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will achieve a fundamental knowledge of soil, climate and the agricultural techniques needed for the management and improvement (both quantitative and qualitative) of crops.

Course contents

1. Prerequisites

   The course of General Agronomy implies a basic knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and General Botany. This knowledge is acquired through the respective courses during the first year of the BSc course. It is therefore recommended to pass the above referred exams before addressing General Agronomy.

   Besides, General Agronomy has strong connections with Agro-meteorology and Agricultural Ecology, Soil Chemistry, Agricultural Biochemistry and Soil Fertility, three courses whose lessons are held in parallel to General Agronomy. It is advised to approach the study of Agronomy taking into account the areas of inter-connection with these courses.

2. Teaching units

After a short introduction concerning definitions, aims and role of Agronomy in a sustainable crop production, the course is divided into five teaching units.

1. Crop environment (Total of teaching unit 10 hours)

1.1. Climate

Elements and factors of the climate. Climatic variability, indices and classifications. Principles and methods for crop protection from climatic adversities.

1.2. Soil

Agricultural soils in general. Physical properties. Physical states depending on soil moisture. Water relationships in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Principles of chemical, biological, thermal properties and atmospheric composition of the soil. Principles and means to modify soil characteristics unfavourable to crop life.

Knowledge gained:

knowledge of the most prominent characteristics of the soil and atmospheric environment, referred to the needs of cropped plants, and ways to mitigate growth limiting conditions.

2. Crop techniques (Total of teaching unit 18 hours)

2.1. Soil tillage

Aims of soil tillage. Types of tillage implements. Main tillage interventions, complementary interventions and tillage during crop growth. Minimum tillage and no tillage.

2.2. Fertilization

Concepts about soil organic matter and nutrients. Organic fertilization: amendments, slurries, soil incorporation of catch crops and crop residues. Nutrient supply. Fertilizer classification based on nutrient content, physical form, origin. Main types of organic fertilizers. Main types of N, P, K chemical fertilizers. Times and methods of fertilizer supply. Decision support systems applied to fertilization.

2.3. Irrigation

Aims of irrigations and problems involved. Irrigation organization and related parameters. Irrigation methods. Times and volumes of water supply. Decision support systems applied to irrigation.

2.4. Drainage

Consequences of excess moisture on soil and crops. Open air ditching and sub-surface tubular drainage. Soil surface modelling in flat and sloping areas.

2.5. Crop propagation

Reproductive organs of sexual and agamic origin. Kinds of reproductive material and principles of plant breeding. Treatments of the reproductive material. Methods of crop planting in the field.

2.6. Crop systems

Fundaments of crop rotation and related classification of crops. Crop sequence, rotation, continuous cropping, inter-cropping and second crops.

Knowledge gained:

Knowledge of the main chapters composing the complex of crop technique. Knowledge of the main problems and their interactions. Learning of appropriate terms when dealing with these specific topics. Ability to outline suitable choices in crop management, and to find solutions to pending problems. Getting acquainted with decision support systems specifically devised for crop management.

3. Weeds (Total of teaching unit 4 hours)

Origin, classification, ecology and noxiousness of weeds. Indirect, direct and integrated methods of weed control. Chemical herbicides: absorption, activity, selectivity and persistence. Times and ways of herbicide application. Herbicide degradation and environmental dispersion.

Knowledge gained:

Knowledge of main problems in weed control in the frame of crop management. Ability to plan weed control in crop sequence.

4. Seed production and control (Total of teaching unit 4 hours)

Functional definition of seed and main types. Organization of the seed production chain. Aspects of seed quality. Seed certification: main seed categories and list of cultivated varieties.

Knowledge gained:

Knowledge of the seed production chain and its partition among different subjects and activities; of the seed quality aspects related to crop requirements; of the meaning implied by different commercial seed categories.

5. Complementary lectures, seminars, laboratory and field teaching activities (Total of teaching unit 24 hours)

Lectures and seminars are aimed at strengthen the knowledge acquired in the above described teaching units through mathematical exercises, actual examples, and the supply of additional visual material with respect to frontal lessons.

Laboratory activities are aimed at illustrating main types of analysis on soil and seed.

Field teaching units are represented by visits to the experimental farm, University of Bologna, to get acquainted with the subjects addressed in the frontal lessons, in light of the visiting season.

Part of this unit will be devoted to meeting specific learning wishes expressed by the students.

Readings/Bibliography

Giardini, L. L’Agronomia per Conservare il Futuro. Pàtron Editore, 2012.

Ceccon, P., Fagnano, M., Grignani, C., Monti, M., Orlandini, S. Agronomia. EdiSES, 2017.

Giardini L. A come Agronomia. Pàtron Editore, 2003.

Slide shown during the lessons. Notes from the lessons.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons in classroom supported by slide display; complementary lectures, seminars and problem discussion in classroom; lab and field activities in specific places.

Assessment methods

Final written test is compulsory for everybody; additional oral examination upon specific request. The written test will be composed of multiple choice, true/false and open questions; definitions; problems to be solved.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, video-projector, personal computer, web access. All lectures are supported by PowerPoint slides.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Barbanti