Teacher
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ASTOLFI Stefania
(syllabus)
Introduction: Soil and its definitions Physical Properties of Soil: soil texture, soil structure, and soil temperature Chemical Properties of Soil: pH; Cation and Anion exchange capacity; C:N ratio (Carbon to Nitrogen) Soil degradation
Biogeochemical Cycling: Inputs and Outputs of Nutrients to Ecosystems (N, S and P cycle)
Soil organic matter (SOM) General characteristics, composition, physical, chemical and biological properties
Indicators of soil quality and health Soil microbial biomass: Definition, composition, main characteristics and functions Methods to study microbial biomass. Carbon mineralization. Soil respiration and its components. The metabolic quotient (qCO2)
Soil enzymes General characteristics and properties. Localization, origin and classification. Functions and stability. Biontic and abiontic, accumulated enzymes. Determination of enzymatic activities: real vs. potential activity. Microbial specific activity.
Soil-root interaction: the rhizosphere The rhizosphere: a site of interactions among plants, soil and microrganisms. Rhizodepositions: classification, chemical characteristics, biochemical functions, release processes.
Soil pollution
Biochar
(reference books)
There is no single textbook that covers the content of the entire course.
Selected chapters of the following textbooks: Taiz e Zeiger, Fisiologia vegetale, Piccin Maffei, Biochimica vegetale, Piccin Violante, Chimica del suolo e della Nutrizione delle Piante, Edagricole.
Hand-outs from lessons
Other references will be mentioned during the lectures.
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