General concepts regarding the herbaceous crops. Hints on the characteristics of the main Mediterranean cropping systems. Of the main crops, characterizing the previously described cropping systems, will be treated (to different details): origin, economic importance, botanical characteristics, ecological and phenological features. Of each crop the technical itinerary will be described with particular regard to: preceding crop, soil tillage, choice of the cultivar, sowing, fertilization, irrigation, weed control, other biotic and abiotic adversities, harvesting. For the main crops will be indicated the differences between technical itineraries in conventional, integrated and biological agriculture. Of the product will be evaluated: the qualitative characteristics (hints), the storage, the transformation (hints), the use (hints), while regarding the by-products will be indicated the destination. During the course the following crops will be treated: autumn-winter cereals (durum and soft wheat, barley, oats, triticale); spring-summer cereals (corn and sorghum); potato, hemp, oil-protein crops (rapeseed, sunflower, soybean), grain legumes (broad bean, pea, chickpea, lupine). The main forage land will be indicated (pastures, meadows and grasses) and the following fodder crops will be treated: polyennial fodder (alfalfa, sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil,orchard grass, tall fescue), annual fodder (annual clovers and grasses). The species treated may undergo variations in relation to events that are not currently foreseeable.

- Bonciarelli F., Coltivazioni erbacee di pieno campo 2001. Edagricole, Bologna.

- Baldoni R., Giardini L., 2002 : Coltivazioni erbacee Vol I, II e III, . Patron Editore, Bologna.

- Borin M., Bigon E., Caprera P., 2003: Atlante Fenologico. Edagricole, Bologna.

- Lecture notes, teaching materials provited during the course.