B1825 - Sustainable Crop Production and Seed Technology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the principles of the production of herbaceous crops with interest in biotechnology. In particular, student knows the characteristics, environmental requirements and agronomic technique of herbaceous species belonging to different botanical families and suitable for supplying differentiated feedstocks (i.e. carbohydrates, cellulose, oils and fats, and proteins, etc.) for the biotech industry. Furthermore, the student knows the basic elements of biology and technology of seeds and the agronomic and genetic aspects of their production; understands the different aspects of semen quality, the factors that influence them and the analytical methods for their determination; knows the basics of varietal protection and the certification system.

Course contents

The course is split in two modules.

Module 1 (Sustainable vegetable productions)

Theoretical teaching unit (24h) Characteristics of the main plant species for biotech use: crops for the production of oil, lignocellulosic biomass, sugars, protein crops, crops for the production of high added value compounds (8h). General outline of sustainable agronomic management for the production of such feedstocks (4h). In-depth study of a species for each of the categories just mentioned that represents a success story at an industrial level (8h). Group work in which students will be entrusted with the task of identifying a future successful species and defining the best agronomic technique to optimize its production at a biotech level (4h). Teaching unit of exercises (16h) - Visit to the UNIBO experimental farm in Cadriano. - One-day visit to ECOMONDO exposition in Rimini - online seminars with foreign scientists, both EU and non-EU, who bring concrete examples of research on herbaceous species treated in class. Seminars with stakeholders of different biobased industries interested in the crops studied during the course.

 

Module 2 (Seed Technologies).

Theoretical teaching unit (24 hours) divided into 3 main topics:

1 – General and regulatory aspects of seeds (8 hours). The importance of seeds in modern agriculture. An international overview of seeds. The supply chain from variety development to seed marketing. International and national regulations governing seed production and trade. Seed certification: documentation requirements, field inspections and laboratory analyses for quality control.

2 – Biological, physiological and agronomic aspects of seeds (8 hours). Floral induction, flower development, macro- and micro-gametogenesis, pollination. Seed development: fertilisation, morphogenesis, maturation and desiccation. Seed physiology: quiescence, dormancy, germination. Seed deterioration and vigour. Ecological factors and agronomic aspects of seed crops. Seed technology: harvesting, selection, storage, priming and seed treatments.

3 – Genetic aspects of seed production and biotechnology (8h). Flower biology and varietal structure. Variety maintenance. Strategies for hybrid seed production: mechanical, chemical and genetic methods. Varietal registers. Varietal protection under the UPOV system and biotechnological inventions. Purity and accidental presence of biotechnological traits in seeds and derived products.

Practical teaching module (16 hours) - Identification of seeds of cereals, industrial crops, vegetables and forage crops - Laboratory visit for seed lot sampling and analysis of the physical, physiological and genetic quality of seeds - Use of software for statistical data processing in seed analysis - Visit to a seed production facility or fields/facilities for variety establishment/maintenance or seed production.

Readings/Bibliography

module 1

- Mosca, Giuliano, and Giuliano Mosca.Oli e grassi : fonti oleaginose per gli utilizzi food e non food. Edagricole, 2019.

- A. Monti. Switchgrass. A valuable biomass crop for energy. 2012. Springer

- S. Barth et al. Perennial Biomass crops for a resource-constrained world. 2016. Springer

- Slides and articles provided by the teacher, which will be made available on the Virtual page of the course.


- For working and non-attending students, it is possible to request the recording of the lessons

 

module 2

- Egidio Ciriciofolo e Paolo Benincasa. 2017. Sementi. Biologia, produzione e tecnologia. Edagricole.

Dadlani, M. and Yadava, D.K. 2023. Seed Science and Technology - Biology, Production, Quality. Springer Nature Singapore.

- Slides and scientific articles provided during the course

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, practical sessions, seminars led by experts from companies in the sector, educational visits, and online questionnaires for self-assessment of learning on individual topics. Teaching materials available online.

Assessment methods

Module 1. Written exam with 4 multiple open questions lasting 60 minutes. During the exam, the use of support material such as: textbooks, notes, computer media is not permitted. The maximum score obtainable by providing all correct and complete answers is therefore 30 cum laude. The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. The group work carried out during the course will allow the students who carry it out to obtain from 1 to 3 points, in relation to the role within the work group (spokesperson/participant) and the level of the presentation, which will be judged by the teacher according to: synthesis, completeness, clarity, and visual aspect.

Module 2. An oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes, divided into three parts:

• identification and botanical classification of seeds: 3 specimens (6 marks)
• 3 open-ended questions relating to each of the main topics, worth 9 marks each. Marks are awarded according to the following scale:
  • ability to analyse only with the lecturer’s assistance, language generally correct → 1–2 marks
  • ability to analyse independently only in terms of practical aspects, correct language → 3–4
  • ability to analyse critically, mastery of specific terminology → 5–6
  • ability to analyse critically, make connections and argue a case, mastery of specific terminology → 7–9
• total marks 33 → corresponding to 30 with distinction (lode)

The final mark is the average of the marks obtained in the two modules

Teaching tools

PC, projector, interactive communication systems (Wooclap, Menitmeter), laboratories, experimental fields

Office hours

See the website of Federica Zanetti

See the website of Enrico Noli