24486 - General Agronomy and Pest Control Science

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire a proper scientific knowledge for the agronomic management of urban green and the basic agronomic knowledge for the landscape management. In particular, the student will be able to mange the soil substrate (natural or artificial) within the context of the soil-plant-atmosphere integrated system with the aim to maintain/improve the habitability, to manage the vegetal species by using the proper agro-techniques (sowing, irrigation, fertilization, hydralulic layout) and to manage the weeds by using the appropriate tools.     

Course contents

The course is organized in two parts.

The first part of the course (2 Credits) will deal with the role of general agronomy within the framework of urban green. The main goal is to present basic notions about agronomy and to use these notions for better understanding the complex relationship between agronomy and urban green. The main typologies of urban green and their functions will be illustrated. Some examples will permit to underline the role of agronomy and its potential applications within the framework of urban green.  The main topics of the first part of course will be:

1) Definition and role of agronomy;

2) Agronomy and urban green;

3) Agronomy and landscape management.

 

The main topic of the second part of course (4 Credits) will regard the multiple knowledge requested for a proper agronomic management of urban green. In particular, with some examples, it will be shown how the application of agronomic knowledge favors a sustainable management of urban green.  The main topics of the first part of course will be:

1) The soil substrate: general features, chemical, physical and biological properties. Techniques for modifying soil properties unfavorable for plant growth;

2) Relationships between climatic conditions and plant growth;

3) The main agro-techniques: hydraulic layouts, plowing, sowing, fertilization and irrigation;

4) Seed biology and physiology;

5) Weed control: mechanical, physical and chemical tools.

Readings/Bibliography

- Photocopies of the lesson slides;

- Lesson notes;

-Bonciarelli F., Bonciarelli U. Agronomia (2003) Edagricole

- Giardini L., Agronomia generale, ambientale e territoriale, Patron Editore, Bologna (2001)

Teaching methods

Only frontal lessons will be given. However, discussion with students will be stimulated to assess acquired knowledge.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be made by written tests with 11 questions. Test will be two-hours long and the maximum score for each question will be 3. Only for foreign student the examination will be oral.

Teaching tools

PC and video-projector.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Dinelli