96969 - Agronomic Management of Green Areas and Turf

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires adequate scientific preparation useful for the agronomic management of areas dedicated to ornamental green spaces, as well as the knowledge necessary for the design, establishment, and maintenance of ornamental, sports, technical, and recreational turfgrass, taking into account economic, social, and environmental needs.

In particular, the student is able to:
a) manage the soil (natural or artificial) within an integrated soil-plant-atmosphere system, with the aim of maintaining and/or improving its suitability for plant life;
b) manage plant species using appropriate agronomic techniques (water management, sowing, fertilization, irrigation);
c) manage spontaneous flora using the most suitable methods;
d) operate in the turfgrass sector.

Furthermore, the student understands the main meteorological parameters and the concepts of interaction between plant organisms within ecosystems, to define conditions of eco-sustainability. They acquire the skills to form their own opinions on current environmental issues of interest, such as climate change, pollution, etc.

Specifically, the student is able to take measurements using the most appropriate instruments and to analyze the results, as well as to calculate water balances and water requirements of the main species relevant to ornamental, sports, and landscape greenery.

Additionally, the student is capable of assessing issues related to the urban microclimate and its mitigation through green space management.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course are expected to have a solid background in ecology, biology, and plant biodiversity. They should also be familiar with the main pathways of plant metabolism. These skills and knowledge are typically provided by first-year courses.

Content of Theoretical Teaching Units

The course is structured into three modules.

Module 1: Agronomic Management of Green Areas (40 hours)

The first module aims to define the role of agronomy in the context of ornamental green spaces. Its main objective is to introduce basic concepts related to agronomy and apply them to better understand the complex interactions between agronomy and ornamental greenery.

The main topics covered in this theoretical unit include:

1. Definition and scope of agronomy

2. Agronomy and ornamental green spaces: roles and functions

3. Soil: general characteristics; chemical, physical, and biological properties; techniques for improving soil conditions that are unfavorable for plant life

4. Relationships between climate and plant growth

5. Agronomic techniques: water management, soil preparation, sowing, fertilization, irrigation

6. Weed control: mechanical, physical, chemical, and agronomic methods for controlling unwanted vegetation

It should be noted that while topics such as soil, water management, and irrigation methods are also covered in other courses (e.g., Irrigation, Drainage, and Soil Protection), in this module they are approached from a distinctly agronomic perspective.

Module 2: Management and Maintenance of Turfgrass (40 hours)

The second module aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge required for the management and maintenance of ornamental, sports, technical, and recreational turfgrass systems, with consideration of economic, social, and environmental factors.

Key topics include:

1. Artificial turfing: definition and purposes

2. Influence of climate—particularly temperature and water availability—and soil characteristics on the establishment and management of turfgrass

3. Turfgrass species: botanical characteristics, environmental adaptation, cool-season (microtherm) and warm-season (macrotherm) grasses

4. Criteria for species selection (monostands, blends, mixes), seed quality

5. Turf management techniques: seedbed preparation, establishment, fertilization, irrigation, mowing, weed control, pest and disease treatments

6. Specific management practices tailored to different types of turf use

Module 3: Organic/ecological Management of Ornamental Green Spaces (20 hours)

The third module is designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical tools for the ecological and organic management of ornamental green areas. The course covers species selection, cultivation techniques, plant protection strategies, and maintenance practices from a sustainable perspective, aiming to reduce environmental impact and promote urban biodiversity.

Content of Practical Teaching Unit

The practical unit includes hands-on exercises and site visits to ornamental green spaces managed using both conventional and organic practices. The aim is to provide students with practical insight into the concepts introduced during classroom lectures.

Readings/Bibliography

The use of materials distributed by the teachers, made available online in the form of lecture notes and handouts, will be fundamental. The course handouts cover the entire syllabus. For further study and clarification, the following texts are recommended:

Bonciarelli F., Bonciarelli U. Agronomy (2003), Edagricole

Baldoni R., Giardini L. Herbaceous Crops. Vol. 3: Forage and Turfgrass (2002), Patron

Teaching methods

The theoretical modules consist of lectures combined with in-class discussions aimed at training students in the concepts of agronomic management of ornamental green spaces, as well as their implications for the design and maintenance of green areas.

The practical activities include hands-on exercises focused on key concepts covered during the lectures and site visits to facilities involved in the management of ornamental green spaces.

 

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this educational activity requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 through e-learning [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-places ] and to participate in Module 3, which consists of specific training on health and safety in the workplace. Information regarding the dates and attendance procedures for Module 3 can be found in the dedicated section of the degree program’s website.

Assessment methods

The course is organized into three modules. Therefore, the evaluation of the integrated course takes into account the student’s level of knowledge and skills acquired across the content of all modules.

Learning assessment is conducted solely through a final exam, which verifies the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills by means of a 2-hour written test without the use of notes or books, and is not followed by an oral exam.

The test consists exclusively of open-ended questions, totaling 12 items.

Teaching tools

PC, video-projector, practical laboratories 

Office hours

See the website of Ilaria Marotti

See the website of Giovanni Dinelli