65857 - Agricultural chemistry and soil fertility

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have the basic knowledge and operational capacity for the understanding of the major functional and molecular processes in plants (at cellular and organism level), with particular attention to the aspects of  the soil-plant-atmosphere system, as well as the tools to assess, in terms of physical-chemical and biological soil fertility, and implement strategies to maintain or improve it in relation to the objectives of production and / or environmental goals.

Course contents

A) Prerequisites

To the student who accesses this teaching is strongly recommended to possess a good preparation in the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, plant biology and agricultural microbiology. These prerequisites are provided by the basic teachings got during the first year.

B) Teaching units. The course is divided into three main teaching units

Unit 1 - Agricultural Biochemistry (total teaching unit 20 hours)
1.1  Inorganic and organic constituents (biomolecules) of living beings

Nutrients. Briefly: amino acids and proteins. Sugars: monosaccharides, polysaccharides, starch and cellulose. Fatty acids, lipids, waxes. Vitamins. Terpenes and terpenoids.
 
1.2 Enzymatic reactions and cellular metabolism
Energy aspects of chemical and biochemical reactions. Enzymes: structure, properties and classification. Mechanism and kinetics of enzymatic reactions. Inhibitors and activators of enzymatic reactions. Coenzymes.
 
1.3 Photosynthesis
Chlorophyll and other pigments. Z diagram. Reactions of the light and the dark phases. Photosynthesis in C3, C4 and CAM plants. Photorespiration. Pentose phosphates cycle.
 
1.4 Respiration
Glycolysis. Alcoholic fermentation and lactic acidosis. Krebs cycle. Oxidative cytochrome system and oxidative phosphorylation. Glyoxylic acid cycle. Beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Pentose phosphate pathway. Energy aspects of respiration.
 
1.5 Basic metabolism of nitrogen and sulfur
Reduction of nitrates and sulfates and biosynthesis of amino acids.

Acquired skills into teaching 1:
knowledge of the structure of the major components of life (biomolecules). Knowledge of the main mechanisms that underlie the photosynthetic process. Knowledge of the metabolic pathways that are the basis of the production of energy in plants. Knowledge of  the main aspects of the metabolism of nitrogen and sulfur.  

Unit 2 - Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (total teaching unit 30 hours)
 
2.1 Plants mineral nutrition
Absorbed elements, nutrients, toxic elements. Absorption, metabolism and biochemical functions of nutrients in plants.
 
2.2 Cycle of  the elements in soil
Nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, meso- and trace nutrients. Toxic elements. Liquid phase, solubility of mineral phases: role of both the pH and redox conditions. Reaction of complexation of metal species. The chemical analysis of soil aimed at the determination of the bioavailable fraction of nutrients. The iron: strategies I and II for its absorption. Evaluation of the soil fertility.
 
2.3 Fertilizers and their legislations
The fertilizers. The national legislation (Legislative Decree no. 75/2010) and European (Reg. (CE) 2003/2003 - Reg. (UE) 2019/1009). Organic Farming (EC Regulation 889/2008) and agricultural at low environmental impact. The use of biomasses of urban and agro-industrial origin.
 
Acquired skills into teaching 2:
Knowledge of the essential and toxic elements in plant nutrition. Deepens the knowledge related to their absorption and biochemical functions. Knowledge of  the cycles of nutrients in soil and their role in determining the productivity. Knowledge of the main laws in force at national and European level on fertilizers.  

Unit 3 - Tutorials (total teaching unit 10 hours)

In relation to the anti "Covid-19" restrictions in 2021-2022 Academic Year, in accordance with "Soil Chemistry", will be provided classroom exercises on: sampling, pH, texture, functional indices, microbial biomass, spectrometry, enzymatic analysis, spectrometry and fluorescence and data analysis.

While, in regular Academic year, students develop aspects of the method of determination of bioavailable nutrients (eg. nitrates, ammonium, Olsen-P) and their agronomical and environmental evaluation. At the end the student is asked to draw up a brief report. The contents of this report may be topic during the examination. 

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the material provided by the teacher and made available online and lecture notes, the student want to study the topics using:

AA.VV. (2016). Fondamenti di Biochimica Agraria, Pinton R., Cocucci M., Nannipieri P., Trevisan M. (Coord.), Pàtron Editore, Bologna.

It is suggested to see:

https://www.amazon.com/Biochemistry-4th-Christopher-K-Mathews/dp/0138004641 

Mengel K. e Kirkby E.A. (2001). Principles of Plant Nutrition. 5th Edition. Pp. 849. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London.

Specific topics will be addressed i relation to the content and learning objectives of the course. 

Teaching methods

The course is divided into two main parts: 1) Teaching: Front: through the administration of the teaching units in the classroom, students acquire the knowledge necessary for the understanding of the processes of chemical, biochemical and microbial that underlie the functioning of the soil-plant system. The acquisition of knowledge and understanding will be constantly monitored during the course of lectures, through a continuous interaction between teacher and students. The teacher student interaction, all of which will materialize in the request of the teacher to discuss the topics covered in the teaching also of their effect on topical issues related to the subject taught, will also aim to promote the interest, the development of independence of judgment and to improve communication skills.
2) Exercises: The student participates in laboratory experiments and seminars that aim to provide analytical parameters useful for the prediction and inetrpretazione of chemical and biological processes that characterize the soil-plant system. This part of the course will also aim to test the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to management.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

Assessment methods

The Assessment of the teaching of Agricultural Biochemistry and Soil Fertility is through a final interview, conducted in conjunction with the verification of module 2 (Soil Chemistry) of the course of Agricultural Chemistry.

ATTENTION: during this period of Covid-19, the interview will be carried out exclusively in DISTANCE MODE - Online - using the TEAMS platform, until further notice.

The interview will focus on the topics developed in the lessons of the two teachings, they will be placed, as a rule, three basic questions, one for each thematic area (soil chemistry, biochemistry, agriculture and soil fertility). Based on this structure we will proceed to the appropriate insights on the topics addressed. Your check should be overcome in a comprehensive way and it is necessary that the candidate reaches a score of 18/30 in each of the 3 disciplines characterizing this integrated course. The commission will evaluate the scores achieved in each of the three subject areas and making a weighted average of the scores, as a function of CFU dedicated to each area (6 credits Soil Chemistry, Biochemistry 2 ECTS 4 ECTS plant and Soil Fertility), will come to formulate the overall assessment. The duration of the oral examination will be about 30 minutes.

PLACE: Viale Fanin 40-40127 Bologna, third floor, west wing

ATTENTION: during this period of Covid-19, the interview will be carried out exclusively in DISTANCE MODE - Online - using the TEAMS platform, until further notice.

Teaching tools

For the lectures projector, PC, overhead projector, in addition to the traditional blackboard on the wall will be used.
Lab exercises will take place in the chemistry and agriculture biochemistry rooms.

Links to further information

http://www.scienzeagrarie.unibo.it/it/attivita-didattica

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Ciavatta