Laboratory of Technologies for Plant Productions
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Based on the knowledge acquired in the "Cultivation, Quality, and Safety of Plant Products" teaching, the laboratory of technologies for plant productions aims to delve into aspects related to the management of protected horticultural production systems and open-field herbaceous systems. It also aims to acquire the necessary skills for the application of advanced techniques and technologies to support production processes. The laboratory, organized into two teaching units, concerning the management of protected horticultural systems (TU1) and the site-specific management of herbaceous crop systems (TU2), has the following specific objectives:
1) to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about installations, management methods, and technological means used in the cultivation of plants in protected environments, from greenhouses to vertical farms, with particular emphasis on the management of fertigation in soilless production systems and artificial lighting systems to optimize crop development.
2) to provide theoretical and practical skills for the development and application of prescription maps for site-specific weed management and site-specific fertilization, as well as to transfer required knowledge for acquisition, management, and processing of remote sensing data collected through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and the application of basic concepts for the development of prescription maps. Further insights will regard the application of treatments for pyralid biocontrol using UAV based systems.
1) to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about installations, management methods, and technological means used in the cultivation of plants in protected environments, from greenhouses to vertical farms, with particular emphasis on the management of fertigation in soilless production systems and artificial lighting systems to optimize crop development.
2) to provide theoretical and practical skills for the development and application of prescription maps for site-specific weed management and site-specific fertilization, as well as to transfer required knowledge for acquisition, management, and processing of remote sensing data collected through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and the application of basic concepts for the development of prescription maps. Further insights will regard the application of treatments for pyralid biocontrol using UAV based systems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the laboratory, students will have a basic understanding of the main production facilities and structures for protecting horticultural crops, the installations used for soilless cultivation, and the management of nutrient solutions. Additionally, students will gain basic knowledge of the main artificial lighting systems in greenhouses, light qualitative-quantitative measurement, and lighting programming.
Moreover, students will gain basic knowledge and skills for the operational management of prescription maps for variable-rate applications and site-specific management in weed control and nitrogen fertilization as well as the management of prescription maps by Virtual Terminal and the implementation of treatments by means of UAV for pyralid moth biocontrol.
Moreover, students will gain basic knowledge and skills for the operational management of prescription maps for variable-rate applications and site-specific management in weed control and nitrogen fertilization as well as the management of prescription maps by Virtual Terminal and the implementation of treatments by means of UAV for pyralid moth biocontrol.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
HERBACEOUS CROPPING SYSTEMS:
Spatial variability of crop development status (vigor, growth, and infestation status). Site-specific management and prescription maps.
Remote and proximal systems and methods for estimating crop vigor status for variable rate nitrogen fertilization management.
Remote and proximal systems and methods for estimating crop infestation status for site-specific weed management.
Georeferenced measurements of field variables and crop status (LAI, Cover Fraction, Growth Stage, and Biomass).
Exercises include:
Development of a project in a GIS environment: organization of georeferenced databases for analyzing field variables of crop status.
Analysis of remote sensing data and calculation of vegetation indices.
Examples of preparing prescription maps.
HORTICULTURAL CROPPING SYSTEMS:
Design and management of nutrient solutions in hydroponic and soilless systems;
The main types of systems (floating system, NFT, ebb and flow, aeroponics);
pH and electrical conductivity measurement systems and the related approaches used to regulate and optimize fertigation management in soilless production systems;
Interaction between light and plants in a protected environment: effects on yield and quality;
Physiological responses of horticultural crops grown in a protected environment (effects of light and fertigation management).
Design and management of a simplified hydroponic cultivation system: preparation of the nutrient solution, monitoring and correction of conductivity and pH, in vivo physiological evaluation of the crop.
Execution of laboratory analyses aimed at evaluating the qualitative and physiological aspects of horticultural products.
Spatial variability of crop development status (vigor, growth, and infestation status). Site-specific management and prescription maps.
Remote and proximal systems and methods for estimating crop vigor status for variable rate nitrogen fertilization management.
Remote and proximal systems and methods for estimating crop infestation status for site-specific weed management.
Georeferenced measurements of field variables and crop status (LAI, Cover Fraction, Growth Stage, and Biomass).
Exercises include:
Development of a project in a GIS environment: organization of georeferenced databases for analyzing field variables of crop status.
Analysis of remote sensing data and calculation of vegetation indices.
Examples of preparing prescription maps.
HORTICULTURAL CROPPING SYSTEMS:
Design and management of nutrient solutions in hydroponic and soilless systems;
The main types of systems (floating system, NFT, ebb and flow, aeroponics);
pH and electrical conductivity measurement systems and the related approaches used to regulate and optimize fertigation management in soilless production systems;
Interaction between light and plants in a protected environment: effects on yield and quality;
Physiological responses of horticultural crops grown in a protected environment (effects of light and fertigation management).
Design and management of a simplified hydroponic cultivation system: preparation of the nutrient solution, monitoring and correction of conductivity and pH, in vivo physiological evaluation of the crop.
Execution of laboratory analyses aimed at evaluating the qualitative and physiological aspects of horticultural products.
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to attend and pass the exam of Cultivation, Quality, and Safety of Plant Products
Teaching methods
Lectures and laboratory activities conducted by university professors.
Laboratories and technical-practical field activities coordinated by external lecturers and professionals working in the fields covered by the course.
Laboratories and technical-practical field activities coordinated by external lecturers and professionals working in the fields covered by the course.
Teaching Resources
Slides and additional materials (scientific and technical articles) provided by the teachers.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation will be conducted through a written exam consisting of open questions covering both the topics discussed in class during the lectures and the laboratory activities.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
- University credits: 10
Field activity: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 64 hours
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Computer room practicals: 64 hours
Laboratories: 32 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Shifts:
Professors:
Cocetta Giacomo, Ragaglini Giorgio
Turno
Professors:
Cocetta Giacomo, Misturini Davide, Ragaglini Giorgio, Santoro Piero, Vigoni AntonioEducational website(s)