96231 - Precision Farming for Vegetable Production

Learning outcomes

At course completion, the student possesses knowledge on the main solutions for precision vegetable crop production; acquires skills to manage crop monitoring in open field, greenhouse and indoor vegetable farming. In particular, the student possesses the ability to organize cultivation strategies of on-soil and soilless grown vegetable based on innovative technologies, including vertical farming and climate-controlled agriculture.

Course contents

1) Overview on vegetable crops and cropping systems

2) Monitoring nutrient status of vegetable crops to improve fertilization management

3) Management of irrigation to improve water use efficiency of vegetable crops grown in open field and under greenhouse.

4) Soilless crops and Hydroponics. Management of nutrition and irrigation in soilless crops

5) Artificial light and vegetable production

Readings/Bibliography

Syllabus and slides available on virtuale.unibo.it

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures, practical exercises and groupwork in classroom and in experimental greenhouse and vertical farm, technical visits.

It will be delivered as blended course including face-to-face activities and integrative eLearning sources delivered at distance through Moodle.

Students are also encouraged to take part in International Student Competitions, including:

- UrbanFarm [https://site.unibo.it/urban-farm/en] (University of Bologna)

Considering activities and adopted teaching methods, taking part to this course requires the attendance to safety modules 1 and 2 (online, at https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio) and 3 (in presence, further information in the website of the course degree).

Assessment methods

Multiple choice test. Additional points are also available for student taking part in groupwork or assignments whenever they achieve at least 18/30. To pass the exam, students need to complete the written part and discuss and substantiate the answers within an oral session.

The test consists of closed-ended questions chosen in the areas listed in the course program available in virtuale.unibo.it. For each correct answer a score equal to 1 is assigned, for each wrong answer a score equal to -0.5 is attributed, while in the absence of an answer there is no penalty. The overall score is obtained by the algebraic sum of the individual scores and their normalization on a 30/30 basis. To pass the exam (and eventually access additional points collected throughout the course), students need to score at least 18 in the quiz and undertake a short oral discussion on the answers provided during the quiz. Cum Laude is awarded when an overall score equal to or greater than 32 points has been obtained.

The maximum duration for the written test is 60 minutes.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, exercises on virtuale.unibo.it, theoretical and practical workshops and groupwork activities.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Orsini

See the website of Elisa Appolloni