17955 - Agronomy and Herbaceous Cultivations

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. Section 1 - Agronomy (Modulo 1)

   1. AGRONOMY (4 hrs)

      Definition, role and statistic data.

   2. AGRONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT (12 hrs)

      Climate. Main climatic aspects and implication with soil and crop management.

      Agroecosystems: technical and environmental aspects.

      Soil. Soil fertility and chemical, physical and biological soil properties.

   3. Agronomic techniques (24 hrs)
      • Soil tillage. Conventional and modern techniques.
      • Water management and irrigation.
      • Soil fertilization and nutrients
      • Planting operations and seed technology
   4. Lectures, seminars and field practical activities (24 hrs)

   Section 2 - Herbaceous Crops (Modulo 2)

   1. Main herbaceous crop (10 hrs): cereals, legume crops, oil crops and industrial crops
   2. Forage crops (10 hrs): forage conservation, annual/perennial forages
   3. Field visit and seminar (10 hrs)

Readings/Bibliography

Section 1 - Modulo 1

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

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

Section 2 - Modulo 2

Baldoni R., Giardini L. Coltivazioni erbacee: Cereali e proteaginose. Ed. Patron, Bologna

Baldoni R., Giardini L. Coltivazioni erbacee - Piante oleifere, da zucchero, da fibra, orticole e aromatiche. Patron Editore, Bologna, 2001

Baldoni R., Giardini L. Coltivazioni erbacee: Foraggere e tappeti erbosi. Ed. Patron, Bologna

Bonciarelli U., Bonciarelli F. Coltivazioni erbacee. Ed. Edagricole, Bologna

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

The final vote obtained in an oral exam reflects the degree of achievement of a comprehensive knowledge of the topics discussed during the lessons, as well as the ability to critically utilize the specific knowledge in the cases addressed during the course. Three questions are generally asked, the first on the main chapter Agronomy and environment, the latter two on Agronomic techniques. 

The oral exam lasts at least 20 minutes; no aid is allowed, except for students entitled to using any. Dates, times and places where the exam will take place are published on the Animal Production Course website. To enter an exam date, use the web application AlmaEsami.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Barbanti

See the website of Walter Zegada Lizarazu