Soil and Plant Science
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Provide the tools for the knowledge of the soil and of the fundamental biochemical and physiological processes of the life cycle of plants and their interaction with the environment.
1. Unit Soil: knowledge and practice of the composition and characteristics of the soil and of the chemical, physical and biological processes that contribute to determining its aptitude to support the growth and quality of crops. Main interventions for the maintenance and improvement of the fertility of agricultural soils.
2. Unit Plant: knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and responses of the conditions of adaptation to plants, finalizing the study to understanding the environmental mechanisms underlying the productivity of cultivated species.
1. Unit Soil: knowledge and practice of the composition and characteristics of the soil and of the chemical, physical and biological processes that contribute to determining its aptitude to support the growth and quality of crops. Main interventions for the maintenance and improvement of the fertility of agricultural soils.
2. Unit Plant: knowledge of biochemical and physiological processes and responses of the conditions of adaptation to plants, finalizing the study to understanding the environmental mechanisms underlying the productivity of cultivated species.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Understanding of the importance of soil for plant production and for environmental protection. Ability to identify analytical parameters, methods of analysis and to interpret soil analyzes for the purpose of assessing the degree of fertility and identifying suitable fertilization interventions.
2. Knowledge of energetic and biochemical transformations in plant organisms. Knowledge of the biochemical and physiological factors underlying the productivity of plants of agricultural interest. Criteria and methods for evaluating the impact of environmental factors on plant productivity.
2. Knowledge of energetic and biochemical transformations in plant organisms. Knowledge of the biochemical and physiological factors underlying the productivity of plants of agricultural interest. Criteria and methods for evaluating the impact of environmental factors on plant productivity.
Lesson period: First semester
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
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
SOIL CHEMISTRY
Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry
Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
Basic knowledge in Biology, Botany, General and Inorganic Chemistry and in Organic Chemistry is recommended.
Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry
Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
Basic knowledge in Biology, Botany, General and Inorganic Chemistry and in Organic Chemistry is recommended.
Assessment methods and Criteria
-SOIL CHEMISTRY
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.
-Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
Student learning is evaluated by a written exam consisting of 18 multiple choice closed-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions. For each correct closed-ended question a score of 1 will be assigned, for each open-ended question a score from 0 to 6 will be assigned. The mark is expressed out of thirty. The possibility of awarding 30/30 cum laude will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of the answers to the open questions. The exam will last 75 minutes, with additional time for eligible male and female students. The purpose of the examination is to ascertain: the achievement of the objectives of the course in terms of knowledge and understanding; the degree of details; the mastery of the specific terminology.
THE FINAL MARK IS CALCULATED BY USING THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE (DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF CREDITS) OF THE VOTES OBTAINED IN THE 2 SINGLE MODULES
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).
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.
-Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
Student learning is evaluated by a written exam consisting of 18 multiple choice closed-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions. For each correct closed-ended question a score of 1 will be assigned, for each open-ended question a score from 0 to 6 will be assigned. The mark is expressed out of thirty. The possibility of awarding 30/30 cum laude will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of the answers to the open questions. The exam will last 75 minutes, with additional time for eligible male and female students. The purpose of the examination is to ascertain: the achievement of the objectives of the course in terms of knowledge and understanding; the degree of details; the mastery of the specific terminology.
THE FINAL MARK IS CALCULATED BY USING THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE (DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF CREDITS) OF THE VOTES OBTAINED IN THE 2 SINGLE MODULES
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).
Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
Course syllabus
PROTEIN BIOCHEMISTRY (1 CFU) - Amino acids, peptides and protein structures. Chemical thermodynamics: the Gibbs free energy, endergonic and exergonic reactions. The enzymes: catalysis, the Michaelis-Menten equation and enzyme kinetics, enzyme modes of action, inhibition and regulation. Analytical methods for protein study.
BIOENERGETICS AND CARBON METABOLISM (1.5 CFU) - Bioenergetics and metabolism: phosphoryl group transfer and ATP, the energy coupling, biological redox reactions. Carbon oxidative metabolism. Carbohydrates: glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, the fermentations. Lipids: the β-oxidative pathway, the glyoxylate cycle, the gluconeogenesis. Plant cell respiration: the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, steps and regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Plant mitochondrial electron transport. Oxidative phosphorylation: the chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis.
WATER TRANSPORT AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN HIGHER PLANTS (2 CFU) - The chemo-physical properties of water. The cell water potential in plant. Water balance in plants. Water uptake by roots and xylem transport. Leaf transpiration. The properties of light. Photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic light reactions. The organization of the photosynthetic apparatus. The electron and proton transfer systems: the roles of photosystems II and I, the cytochrome b6f complex, the cycle of the ubiquinone pool. Photophosphorylation. The Calvin cycle and its regulation. The synthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. The C4 carbon cycle and the CAM metabolism. Plant adaptation to light conditions. The responses to oxidative stress in chloroplasts.
SOLUTE TRANSPORT AND PLANT MINERAL NUTRITION (1.5 CFU) - Plant mineral nutrition. Macro- and micro- nutrients. The concept of rhizosphere and the soil-plant-microorganism interactions. The chemical potential and the active and passive transport of solutes. The plant cell membrane potential. Transport systems: pumps, channels and carriers. The kinetic properties of transport systems. The biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. Nitrate reduction and ammonium assimilation. Biological nitrogen fixation. Sulfur assimilation. Iron acquisition. Sink-source relations in plant organs. Phloem translocation: characteristics and the mechanisms of loading and unloading.
PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND RESPONSES TO LIGHT (1 CFU) - Seed: characteristics, germination and reserve utilization. Plant responses to red-light: phytochromes, photoperiodism and the flowering control. Plant responses to blue-light. Stomatal opening. Physiological functions controlled by plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene and abscisic acid.
PLANT RESPONSES TO STRESSES (1 CFU) - Plant secondary metabolism: defense and interaction. Characteristic and eco-physiological functions of terpenes, phenolic compounds and alkaloids. Plant responses to abiotic stresses: drought and salt stress, oxygen deprivation, heat and cold stress.
BIOENERGETICS AND CARBON METABOLISM (1.5 CFU) - Bioenergetics and metabolism: phosphoryl group transfer and ATP, the energy coupling, biological redox reactions. Carbon oxidative metabolism. Carbohydrates: glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, the fermentations. Lipids: the β-oxidative pathway, the glyoxylate cycle, the gluconeogenesis. Plant cell respiration: the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, steps and regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Plant mitochondrial electron transport. Oxidative phosphorylation: the chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis.
WATER TRANSPORT AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN HIGHER PLANTS (2 CFU) - The chemo-physical properties of water. The cell water potential in plant. Water balance in plants. Water uptake by roots and xylem transport. Leaf transpiration. The properties of light. Photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic light reactions. The organization of the photosynthetic apparatus. The electron and proton transfer systems: the roles of photosystems II and I, the cytochrome b6f complex, the cycle of the ubiquinone pool. Photophosphorylation. The Calvin cycle and its regulation. The synthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. The C4 carbon cycle and the CAM metabolism. Plant adaptation to light conditions. The responses to oxidative stress in chloroplasts.
SOLUTE TRANSPORT AND PLANT MINERAL NUTRITION (1.5 CFU) - Plant mineral nutrition. Macro- and micro- nutrients. The concept of rhizosphere and the soil-plant-microorganism interactions. The chemical potential and the active and passive transport of solutes. The plant cell membrane potential. Transport systems: pumps, channels and carriers. The kinetic properties of transport systems. The biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. Nitrate reduction and ammonium assimilation. Biological nitrogen fixation. Sulfur assimilation. Iron acquisition. Sink-source relations in plant organs. Phloem translocation: characteristics and the mechanisms of loading and unloading.
PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND RESPONSES TO LIGHT (1 CFU) - Seed: characteristics, germination and reserve utilization. Plant responses to red-light: phytochromes, photoperiodism and the flowering control. Plant responses to blue-light. Stomatal opening. Physiological functions controlled by plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene and abscisic acid.
PLANT RESPONSES TO STRESSES (1 CFU) - Plant secondary metabolism: defense and interaction. Characteristic and eco-physiological functions of terpenes, phenolic compounds and alkaloids. Plant responses to abiotic stresses: drought and salt stress, oxygen deprivation, heat and cold stress.
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures. The attendance is not mandatory (but recommended). For students not attending the program and materials are the same.
Teaching Resources
Lecture slides will be provided on Ariel platform. Moreover, it is strongly recommended to study the following books: "Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger (Ed. Zanichelli)" ed "Elementi di fisiologia vegetale (Ed. Piccin)".
Soil chemistry
Course syllabus
Definition of the soil: the soil as open system. The soil main functions: production function, protective,natural function. Soil as a three-phase system: solid, liquid and gaseous. Theoretical structure of a soilprofile. Minerals and rocks: mineral silicates, classification and structure of silicate minerals. Processes ofminerals alteration: disintegration and decay, action of water, wind, glaciers and biotic entities. Products ofalteration: clays. Structure of the clay: 1:1 clays, 2:1 clays, heterovalent isomorphous substitutions. Thephysical properties of the soil: real and apparent texture, structure, density and porosity. The organicmatter: humic and non humic component, processes of accumulation and consumption in relation to soilfertility. Action of the substance on the chemical, physical and biological properties of the soil. Chemicalproperties of the soil: adsorption and exchange: main theories, the characteristics and composition of theexchange complex of the soil, degree of base saturation, cation adsorption and anion specific andnon-specific, complex inner-sphere and outer-sphere. The soil-water relationships. The soil-air relations:soil as a "respiratory system". Red-ox potential of the soil. Chemical properties of soil: different pH values(in water and potential). Acid, basic, sodium, submerged soils. Soils with extreme pH: possible correction.Soil fertility. Nitrogen cycle. The phosphorus cycle. Sulfur cycle and other meso and micro elements inrelation to the availability in the soil. Fertilizers: mineral, organic, amendments and corrective.- Soil Taxonomy - Land Capability classification -Fertilization plans
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Principles of Soil Chemistry, CRC Press; Author: Kim H.. The book is available at the library of the faculty. Slides on ARIEL
Agricultural biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor:
Prinsi Bhakti
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Prinsi Bhakti
Soil chemistry
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Tambone Fulvia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Tambone FulviaEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment. Please request by email.
At the office. Bldg. 21090, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Milano. Alternatively, online on the Teams platform.
Reception:
appointment by e-mail
DiSAA - soil chemistry section - I Floor - office 1011