Soil and Plant Science
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The Course aimed to provide knowledge of what is soil and to give basic principles of plant biochemistry and physiology.
1. The aim of the Soil Teaching Unit is to introduce students to theorical and practical knowledge of soil composition and characteristics and of the main physical, chemical and biological processes influencing crop production and quality.
2. The aim of the Plant Teaching Unit is the knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and the plant adaptive responses to the environment in order to understand the mechanisms involved in crop plant production.
1. The aim of the Soil Teaching Unit is to introduce students to theorical and practical knowledge of soil composition and characteristics and of the main physical, chemical and biological processes influencing crop production and quality.
2. The aim of the Plant Teaching Unit is the knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and the plant adaptive responses to the environment in order to understand the mechanisms involved in crop plant production.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Understanding the importance of soil for crop production and environmental protection. Ability to choose the specific parameters, to individuate the specific analytical techniques and to make correct interpretations of soil analysis.
2. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy and matter transformation in plants. Knowledge of basic biochemical and physiological processes determining crop plant production. Criteria and methods for preliminary evaluation of the effects of environmental and stress conditions on plant crop production.
2. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy and matter transformation in plants. Knowledge of basic biochemical and physiological processes determining crop plant production. Criteria and methods for preliminary evaluation of the effects of environmental and stress conditions on plant crop production.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Modulo Scienza del Suolo:
Frontal lessons (5 CFU) will be delivered remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform.
Practical experiences (1CFU) according to the provisions in force.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Lectures (5.5 CFU): lessons may be followed on Microsoft Team (MT) platform, in synchronous on the basis of the or in asynchronous (recording of the lessons in sync, available on MT platform).
Classroom exercises (0.5 CFU): meetings/exercises on MT platform aimed at clarifying and deepening topics of the course programme.
Meetings in presence (4 hours): two meetings in presence are foreseen organized as classroom exercises. For each meeting one half of the students will be present in classroom and the other half will follow in sync; the alternation of the student groups in presence will be ensured.
Type of exams can be modified depending on the rules stated by the University and the two written tests may be changed into a final oral exam on Microsoft Teams.
The program and the reference material for both Units will not change.
Frontal lessons (5 CFU) will be delivered remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform.
Practical experiences (1CFU) according to the provisions in force.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Lectures (5.5 CFU): lessons may be followed on Microsoft Team (MT) platform, in synchronous on the basis of the or in asynchronous (recording of the lessons in sync, available on MT platform).
Classroom exercises (0.5 CFU): meetings/exercises on MT platform aimed at clarifying and deepening topics of the course programme.
Meetings in presence (4 hours): two meetings in presence are foreseen organized as classroom exercises. For each meeting one half of the students will be present in classroom and the other half will follow in sync; the alternation of the student groups in presence will be ensured.
Type of exams can be modified depending on the rules stated by the University and the two written tests may be changed into a final oral exam on Microsoft Teams.
The program and the reference material for both Units will not change.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic concepts of Botany and General, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
Assessment methods and Criteria
There will be two separate exams for the two units.
Modulo Scienza del Suolo:
The written exam consists of 3 questions: Comment of a soil analysis and preparation of a fertilization plan + 2 open questions. A maximum score of 10 points will be applied to each question. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 2 hours. The calculator can be used.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Exam consists of two written tests (one at the middle and the other at the end of the course). Each test includes: 17 closed-ended questions (to assess learning notions; value = 1 point each) + 4 open-ended questions (to assess synthesis skills; value = 2 points each) + 1 open-ended question that requires an extensive dissertation on a topic of the course program (to assess the ability to set up a scientific theme; value = 3 points). The test will be the same for both attending and not attending students. For students with certified difficulties the written test will include 20 closed-ended questions (value = 1.5 point each); these students will have more time available to complete the test and will be allowed to use conceptual maps, when previously approved by the professor. If necessary, oral exams can be agreed. The final score of the Plant Science module, out of thirty, considers both tests and will be published on Ariel website.
The final score of the whole course (Soil and Plant Science) will be the mean of the score obtained in the single modules.
Modulo Scienza del Suolo:
The written exam consists of 3 questions: Comment of a soil analysis and preparation of a fertilization plan + 2 open questions. A maximum score of 10 points will be applied to each question. The vote is expressed out of thirty. The exam will last 2 hours. The calculator can be used.
Modulo Biochimica e Fisiologia vegetale:
Exam consists of two written tests (one at the middle and the other at the end of the course). Each test includes: 17 closed-ended questions (to assess learning notions; value = 1 point each) + 4 open-ended questions (to assess synthesis skills; value = 2 points each) + 1 open-ended question that requires an extensive dissertation on a topic of the course program (to assess the ability to set up a scientific theme; value = 3 points). The test will be the same for both attending and not attending students. For students with certified difficulties the written test will include 20 closed-ended questions (value = 1.5 point each); these students will have more time available to complete the test and will be allowed to use conceptual maps, when previously approved by the professor. If necessary, oral exams can be agreed. The final score of the Plant Science module, out of thirty, considers both tests and will be published on Ariel website.
The final score of the whole course (Soil and Plant Science) will be the mean of the score obtained in the single modules.
Scienza del suolo
Course syllabus
-Soil definition: the soil as an open system. -The main soil functions: productive function, protective function, naturalistic function. -The soil as a three-phase system: solid, liquid and gas phase. -Minerals and rocks: non-silicate minerals, classification and structure of silicate minerals. Processes of mineral salteration. -Alteration of phyllosilicates: clays. Structure of clays: 1: 1 clays, 2: 1 clays, heterovalent isomorphic substitutions. -The soil physical properties: real and apparent texture, structure, density and porosity. - Organic matter: non-humic component and humic component, accumulation and consumption processes in relation to soil fertility. Role in soil fertility. - Soil chemical properties: adsorption and exchange: main theories; the characteristics and composition of the soil exchange complex, degree of basic saturation, specific and non-specific cationic and anionic adsorption-The soil / water ratios. - Soil / air relationships: soil as a respiratory system - Red-ox potential of the soil. -pH current and potential. Acid, saline, sodium, submerged soils. Soils with abnormal pH and their correction. Biogeochemical cycles: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and other meso and micro elements in relation to availability in the soil. - Fertilizers, soil improvers and corrective agents. - Fertilization plans. - Soil analysis with laboratory exercises.
Teaching methods
Lectures and laboratory exercises
Teaching Resources
Principles of Soil Chemistry, CRC Press; Author: Kim H.. The book is available at the library of the faculty. Slides on ARIEL
Biochimica e fisiologia vegetale
Course syllabus
Bioenergetics and thermodynamics: chemical and electrochemical potentials. Kinetics of enzymatic catalysis (1 CFU). Carbon metabolism: glycolysis and fermentation, Krebs cycle, electron flux and oxidative phosphorylation (1 CFU). Photosynthesis: photosystems, photosynthetic electron flux and photophosphorylation. Carbon assimilation (C3, C4), ecophysiology of photosynthesis, carbon allocation (1 CFU). Water physiology: water potential, osmosis and cell growth, water absorption by the root, xylem and phloem transport, transpiration, regulation of stomata opening, water balance and plant adaptation to water stress (1 CFU). Mineral nutrition: thermodynamics and kinetics of transmembrane solute transport (1 CFU). Nitrate and sulfate assimilation. Phloem transport, sink and source relationship. Classroom exercises (1 CFU)
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
Teaching material is available for students at the https://nnegrinibfv.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Recommended textbooks: 1 - Lehninger A.L., Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. Introduzione alla biochimica. Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna. 2 - Taiz L., Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Ed. Piccin Padova
Other textbooks: 1- N. Rascio et al. "Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale", EdiSES, Bologna, 2012. 2 - Alpi A., Pupillo P, Rigano C. Fisiologia delle
Recommended textbooks: 1 - Lehninger A.L., Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. Introduzione alla biochimica. Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna. 2 - Taiz L., Zeiger E. Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale. Ed. Piccin Padova
Other textbooks: 1- N. Rascio et al. "Elementi di Fisiologia Vegetale", EdiSES, Bologna, 2012. 2 - Alpi A., Pupillo P, Rigano C. Fisiologia delle
Modules or teaching units
Biochimica e fisiologia vegetale
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Negrini Noemi
Scienza del suolo
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 8 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Tambone Fulvia
Professor(s)
Reception:
appointment by e-mail
DiSAA - soil chemistry section - I Floor - office 1011