72613 - Fruit Tree Physiology And Fruit Quality

Learning outcomes

Students will learn concepts of: plant/environment interactions and consequences tree physiological performances; problems related to the main orchard management practices from fruit thinning to irrigation, to precision fruit growing and innovative orchaard management practices. They will also gather knowledge on the concept of quality of the horticultural products as well as the traditional and novel methodologies used for the determination of fruit organoleptic features.

Course contents

The module Plant ecophysiology will provide knowledge on the interactions between trees and the environment influencing productivity and quality of fruit productions. Theoretical bases on the main physiological cycles of fruit trees, as Carbon balance, water relations, tree-light interactions. This knowledge is integrated in the study of fruit growth physiology, with a strong approach towards actual application in the orchard. Students acquire knowledge that allows them to carry out fruit growth monitoring and real-time evaluation, along with knowledge of the potential corrective actions that can be adopted in the field.

Course contents

a) Prerequisites

Students taking this class must possess strong bases in biology and botany, in addition to knowledge of arboriculture, agrometeorology, chemistry, biochemistry and soil chemistry, to properly understand the subjects addressed here, which relate to advanced fruit growing aspects. Students must also possess knowledge in organic chemistry and physics to understand the water relations of the tree and its interactions with the environment. These prerequisites are obtained during the first level degree.

Combining basic knowledge with the capacity of identifying and managing highly efficient and sustainable fruit production methods is paramount in the making of a modern, sustainable fruit growing specialist.

b) Teaching units

MODULE A) PLANT ECOPHYSIOLOGY

The module is made up of 6 main teaching units:

1.Tree water relations (Teaching unit lenght 4 hours): water potentials; training system effect on water potentials; environment conditions and water potentials.

2.Tree-Light relations (Teaching unit lenght 6 hours): physical properties of light; methods to measure light in the orchard; biochemical aspects; biological aspects; the effect of growing practices on tree-light interactions; orchard design.

3.Photosynthetic efficiency (Teaching unit lenght 6 hours): photosynthesis - why and how to measure it; photosynthetic parameters; environment effects on tree photosynthesis; light excess and consequences on primary photoproductivity; photo-oxidation, water-water cycle and photorespiration.

4.Growth (Teaching unit lenght 6 hours): definition; parameters to express growth and their relevance to the study of growth; sampling methods and data processing; fruit growth models; cell demography and fruit growth; effect of time of thinning on the growth of fruit; thinning strategies and environment effects on fruit growth.

5.The flows of fresh and dry matter that allow fruit growth (Teaching unit lenght 4 hours): measurement methods; importance of phenological stages; the xylem contribution to fruit growth; the phloem contribution to fruit growth; the role of transpiration in fruit growth; a typical daily growth in apple, peach and kiwifruit.

6.Precision fruit growing (Teaching unit lenght 4 hours): theory; analytical approaches; the peach case study.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes, handouts and articles provided by the instructor through internet services managed by UNIBO.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures make up 60% of the time allotted to this course. The remainder 40% is made up of classroom experiences (practicuum) or in the Dept. greenhouse.

Assessment methods

The course is comprised of two modules, each of 3 credits, the first one taught by Dr. Brunella Morandi and the second taught by Professor Luca Dondini. Therefore, the evaluation of the integrated course jointly considers the knowledge level acquired by the student, in relation to all the materials covered in both modules. The goal of the evaluation is to assess the overall capacity of the student to recognize and address problems in the area of ecophysiology and ecosystems and devise solutions to these problems.

Teaching tools

Classroom lectures are provided with the aid of visuals. Practicuums are offered in the classroom, focused on the determination of physiological parameter by use of portable instrumentation. On occasion, seminars may be offered by visiting professors from other institutions, to integrate the instructor's lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Brunella Morandi

See the website of Luca Dondini