The objectives of the Precision Agronomic Techniques course are to provide students with the ability to use digital tools and technologies for the monitoring, analysis and management of cropping systems and for the application of precision agronomic techniques for open field applications with particular regard to herbaceous cropping systems. Attendance at lectures and exercises, although optional, is strongly recommended.

Knowledge and understanding
The course aims to develop in students knowledge and understanding skills, such as:
• know and understand which technologies are useful for monitoring cropping systems for precision agronomic applications such as multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing to quantitatively estimate variables of agronomic interest of vegetation and soil;
• to know and understand the techniques and technologies that can be used to analyze the spatial and temporal variability of cultivated plots, in particular by exploiting process-based agronomic modeling tools;
• know and understand the methods of development and application of precision agronomic techniques such as seeding, fertilization and irrigation.

Applied knowledge and understanding
The course will allow students to apply knowledge and understanding, allowing for example to:
• know and use the main multispectral satellite systems suitable for precision agriculture through the use of cloud-based platforms for the analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of cultivated plots;
• know and use the techniques to estimate biophysical variables of vegetation and soil from satellite data for the purpose of monitoring agricultural crops;
• know and use a proces-based agronomic model to analyze agronomic management scenarios;
• know the techniques and technologies and equipment for precision seeding, irrigation and fertilization.

Making judgements
The course will allow students to develop autonomy of judgment at various levels, such as:
• hypothesize which properties of the soil and atmosphere influence the spatial and temporal variability of agricultural production;
• propose the most suitable precision management agrotechniques for efficient and sustainable management of herbaceous crops.

Communication skills
Participating in the lessons and/or using the material made available independently will facilitate the development and application of communication skills, such as:
• provide a sufficient range of practical examples of the application of precision agronomic techniques to herbaceous crops;
• use an appropriate and up-to-date agronomic technical vocabulary.

Learning skills
Participating in the lessons and/or independently using the material made available will facilitate the consolidation of one's learning skills, allowing for example to:
• activate a program of continuous education updating of one's knowledge;
• Independently identify the ways to acquire information;
• identify and use the sources of information most useful to staff updating.