BIOCHEMICAL SCIENCES APPLIED TO AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGYModule BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PLANT SOIL SYSTEM
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: IVANA PUGLISIExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide the students the necessary tools for the comprehension of the plant responses to the different soil conditions. In particular, the dynamics related to the rhizosphere will be deepened trough the comprehension of the metabolic processes of the plant.
Course Structure
The course is made of 28 hours of frontal lessons and 24 hours of other activities in which the student will acquire the basis notions on the aspects of soil fertility and plant nutrition.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department of Biomedical and Biotechonological Sciences.
Required Prerequisites
Detailed Course Content
Introduction. Gas and liquid phase of the soil. Solid phases of the soil: inorganic and organic components. Organic matter: evolution and properties. Physical and morphological characteristics of the soil. Chemical properties of the soil: pH, anion and cation exchange. Soil fertility. Soil-root interactions: the rhizosphere. Nutritional needs of plants. Mechanisms of nutrient uptake and transport. Nitrogen cycle. Photosynthesis. Photorespiration. C4 and CAM plant pathways. Phloem translocation. Secondary metabolism and stress conditions. Phytohormones. Laboratory and/or classroom practice.
Textbook Information
Text 1: Fondamenti di Chimica del suolo (2017). Sequi, Ciavatta, Miano. Patròn Editore, Bologna.
Text 2: Fisiologia Vegetale (2013). Taiz, Zeiger. Piccin, Padova.
Text 3: Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale (2016). Taiz, Zeiger, Moller, Murphy. Piccin, Padova.
Text 4: Fondamenti di Biochimica agraria (2016). Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Patròn Editore, Bologna.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduzione. | Testo 1: Cap. 1 (Par. 1.1-1.3-1.4) |
| 2 | Fase gassosa e liquida del suolo. | Testo 1: Cap. 5; Testo 2: Cap.3 |
| 3 | Fase solida del suolo: componente inorganica e organica. | Testo 1: Cap. 3 e 4 |
| 4 | Sostanza organica: evoluzione e proprietà. | Testo 1: Cap. 6 (Par. 6.1-6.2-6.4) e 7 (Par. 7.1) |
| 5 | Caratteristiche fisiche e morfologiche del suolo. | Testo 1: Cap. 2 (Par. 2.4) |
| 6 | Proprietà chimiche del suolo: pH, scambio anionico e cationico | Testo 1: Cap. 8 (Par. 8.1-8.2-8.3-8.4) Cap. 9 |
| 7 | Fertilità del suolo. | Testo 1: Cap. 13 |
| 8 | Assorbimento radicale di acqua e ioni. | Testo 1: Cap. 7 (Par. 7.2) Testo 2: Cap. 4 |
| 9 | Esigenze nutrizionali delle piante. | Testo 2: Cap. 5 |
| 10 | Meccanismi di assorbimento e trasporto dei nutrienti. | Testo 2: Cap. 6 |
| 11 | Ciclo dell’azoto. | Testo 1: Cap. 6 (Par. 6.3); Testo 2: Cap. 12 |
| 12 | Ciclo del carbonio. Fotosintesi. | Testo 2: Cap. 7 |
| 13 | Fotorespirazione. Ciclo piante C4 e CAM. | Testo 2: Cap. 8 |
| 14 | Metabolismo secondario e condizioni di stress. | Testo 2: Cap. 13 |
| 15 | Gli ormoni e la regolazione della crescita della pianta. | Testo 2: Cap. 19, 20 e 21 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The score assignment follows the adopted scheme:
Not suitable
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Heavy shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.
Use of references: Completely inappropriate.
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections.
Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills.
Use of references: As appropriate.
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge.
Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently.
Using references: Use standard references.
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge.
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The topics are expressed consistently.
Using references: Use standard references.
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good.
Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: good explored topics.
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: excellent explored topics.