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

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.