MORPHO-BIO-PHYSIOLOGY OF CULTIVATED HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND TREE

Module Morpho-bio-physiology of Cultivated Herbaceous Plants

The course aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the cultivated herbaceous species of greatest interest to Italian agriculture, both in the current and near-future agricultural production scenario. Each crop is covered by considering:

1. Botanical classification and description of the main botanical and physiological characteristics

2. Origin, distribution, and economic importance

3. Main uses

4. Biological life cycle and climatic, soil, and nutritional requirements

5. Breeding objectives and techniques

6. Main cultivated varieties

7. Mention of agronomic management

8. Main uses of products and by-products.

The morpho-bio-physiological analysis of herbaceous crops grown in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems will be explored deeply and linked to the products and by-products obtained from these crops.

The course, therefore, aims to provide students with bio-agronomic knowledge and the ability to apply it in multidisciplinary work contexts, developing independent judgment in activities and projects. During the course, group activities will be promoted in the classroom to explore specific topics in greater depth, fostering communication and scientific dissemination skills that can be applied independently in both professional and academic contexts.

Lectures supported by presentations and laboratory exercises.

If the course is taught in a blended or distance learning format, any necessary changes to the previously stated curriculum may be made in order to comply with the expected program outlined in the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LDs)

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their learning objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning Disabilities) contact professor in our Department.

Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, and genetics.

1. The agrosystem and relationships between its components: abiotic, merobiotic, and biotic. Effects of human activity on the agrosystem.

2. Economic importance of field crops worldwide, Europe, and Italy. Economic importance of field crops worldwide, Europe, and Italy. Classification criteria and studying methods for field crops. 

3. Cereals: soft and durum wheat, barley, corn, and minor species. 

4. Grain legumes: broad beans, chickpeas, lentils, beans, lupins, grass peas, peas, soybeans. 

5. Oilseeds: rapeseed and other Brassica species, sunflower. 

6. Open-field vegetables: artichoke, potato, tomato.

7. Brief description of Fiber Crops (Flax, Hemp, Cotton).

8. Brief description of Forage Crops (Grass, Meadows, and Pastures). 

9. Brief description of Biomass Crops for Energy (For the Production of Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Biogas, Heat, and Electricity). 

.     Textbook 1: Coltivazioni Erbacee. Vol.1: Cereali e colture industriali a cura di Giuliano Mosca e Amedeo Reyneri. Edagricole, 2023.

2.  Textbook 2: Coltivazioni Erbacee. Vol.2: Aromatiche e officinali, orticole agroindustriali, foraggere e colture ai fini ecosistemici a cura di Giuliano Mosca e Amedeo Reyneri. Edagricole, 2024.

PowerPoint presentations of the lectures and handouts provided by the professor.

Learning assessment is conducted through an oral exam.
Evaluation will be based on the relevance of the answers to the questions, the quality of the content, the ability to connect them to other topics covered in the program, the ability to provide examples, the mastery of technical language, and the overall expressive ability.

1. Morphological description of a herbaceous species

2. Physiological characteristics of a herbaceous species

3. Description of the life cycle of a herbaceous species

4. Objectives and methods of genetic improvement of a herbaceous species