Degree Course: Seed Production and Nursery Management Syllabus for A.Y. 2021/2022  

The course program is divided into two modules, each lasting 32 hours.
First module: General Chemistry (32 hours). Electrons, protons, neutrons. Atomic number. Mass number. Isotopes. Atomic orbitals. Quantum numbers. Electronic configuration of the elements. Periodic table of the elements. Groups and periods. Atomic dimensions. Ionization energy. Electron affinity. Electronegativity. Valence electrons. Octet rule. Chemical bonds. Binding energy. Ionic bond. Covalent bond. Lewis structures. Polarity of bonds. Resonance. Hydrogen bond. Van der Waals forces. Mole. Avogadro's number. Reactions and chemical equations. Balance of reactions. Most common inorganic compounds: oxides, anhydrides, hydroxides, hydracids, oxyacids, salts, peroxides, hydrides. Chemical formulas and preparation reactions. Stoichiometric calculations. States of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Changes in state. Solutions. Units of concentration. Molarity, normality, molality, mole fraction, percentage. Dilution and mixing of solutions. Colligative properties. Kinetics. Activation energy. Reaction speed. Catalysts. Reactions at equilibrium. equilibrium constant. Acids and bases. Arrhenius theory. Bronsted-Lowry theory. Theory of Lewis. Strong acids. Weak acids. Strong bases. Weak bases. Acidity constant and alkalinity. Acid-base properties of water. pH and pOH. pH of aqueous solutions containing strong acids/bases, weak acids/bases, polybasic acids, buffers, salts. Acid / base titration. Number of oxidation. Redox reactions.
First module: Organic Chemistry (32 hours). Classes of compounds. Functional groups. Hybridization. Alkanes: structure, nomenclature and properties. Structural isomers. Conformational isomers. Combustion reactions and halogenation. Unsaturated hydrocarbons. Alkenes: structure, nomenclature and properties. Cis-trans isomers, E/Z. Electrophilic addition reactions. Polymerization reactions. Alkynes: structure, nomenclature and properties. Halogenated compounds: structure, nomenclature and properties. Aromatic hydrocarbons: structure, nomenclature and properties. Reactions of electrophilic aromatic substitution. Huckel rule. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Benzene derivatives. Aromatic heterocyclic compounds. Alcohols: structure, nomenclature and properties. Dehydration and oxidation reactions. Phenols: structure, nomenclature and properties. Ethers: structure, nomenclature and properties. Aldehydes and ketones: structure, nomenclature and properties. Oxidation, reduction, addition. Carboxylic acids: structure, nomenclature and properties. Saturated and unsaturated fats. Dicarboxylic acids. Acidity. Amines: structure, nomenclature and properties. Heterocyclic amines. Basicity. Stereoisomerism. Enantiomers and diasteromers. Chiral carbon. Properties of chiral molecules. Notation R, S. Carbohydrates, lipids, aminoacids, peptides, proteins, purines, pyrimidines, nucleosides, nucleotides, nucleic acids: chemical structure and biological role.

For a good exam preparation, the following two textbooks are recommended:
(1) Fundamentals of General Chemistry - R. Chang, K. Goldsby, McGraw-Hill Education
(2) Essential Organic Chemistry - B. Botta, Edi-ermes
On the Moodle platform, on the course page, the slides of all the lessons held by the teacher are available.

Course: Botany and plant physiology
Teacher Alberto Battistelli

Plants: diversity and role in ecosystems and agriculture
Evolution and classification.
The plant cells.
Ontogenetic cycle and reproduction in plants
Higher plant structure and tissues.
Plant organs: the leaf, the stem, and the root. The seed.
Practical activities: optical microscopy, leaves and floral components.
Practical activities: agronomical experiments, crops structure, field analysis of physiological parameters.
Biophysics and biochemistry of photosynthesis
Structure and functions of the chloroplast.
Light and photosynthesis. The solar radiations, the pigments and light absorption.
Botany and Plant physiology
TEacher: Alberto Battistelli
The Calvin-Benson cycle. The photosynthetic product at the chloroplast level: starch synthesis. The photosynthetic products in the cytoplasm: the sucrose synthesis. Phloem transport, sink activity, starch, and sucrose catabolism, storage compound accumulation, source-sink relationships.
Photosynthesis in the environment: structure of the photosynthetic apparatus and the role of environment (adaptation and acclimation to light, CO2, temperature, and water availability. C3, C4 and CAM photosynthetic metabolism.
Plant and water relations.
Plant respiration.
Mineral nutrition.
The hormone regulation of plant life.
Light as a signal: photoreceptors, phytochrome, photomorphogenesis, photoperiodism.
Seed physiology and germination.

1- Rascio Elementi di fisiologia vegetale. EDISES
https://www.edises.it/docenti/rascio-elementi-di-fisiologia-vegetale.html

2- Ray F. Evert Susan E. Eichhorn La biologia delle piante di Raven. Zanichelli
Settima edizione italiana condotta sull’ottava edizione americana
https://staticmy.zanichelli.it/catalogo/assets/a05.9788808175045.pdf

1) GENERAL PART

Generalities on insects; external morphology; Nervous system and sense organs; Digestive system; Circulatory system; Secretory and excretory systems; Reproductive system; Pheromones; Post embryonic development; Moulting; Metamorphosis; Means of population control: biological, agronomic, cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical. Modern inorganic and organic active ingredients. Microbiological insecticides. Phytotoxicity; Modes of penetration and mechanisms of action of insecticides; Selectivity; Toxicity to humans; Resistance; Outlines of legislation; Biological control; Intervention thresholds; Integrated pest management (IPM).

2) Special Part
Functional groups, case studies in nursery and seed production.

Copies of slides shown during lectures, supplemented by lecture notes and/or Open Access books and publications.
A. Pollini, 2002. Handbook of Applied Entomology. Agricultural Ed, Bologna.

During the course, the following aspects will be addressed:
- The importance of using high quality seeds in agriculture;
- Main features determining the seed value;
- Agronomic practices for seed production in some crops;
- Identification of crop seeds;
- Seed selection and conservation;
- Seed control and certification.

Ciriciofolo E., Benincasa P. 2017. Sementi: biologia, produzione e tecnologia. Edagricole

MATHEMATICS

BASICS:
Sets, elements, membership, inclusion, intersection, union, difference, empty set. Relations, applications or functions, domain, codomain. Numerical sets, intervals, upper and lower endpoints. Natural numbers, relative integers, rational numbers, real numbers, imaginary numbers, complex numbers, logarithms, one-to-one correspondence with the points of a line.
EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES:
Basic concepts and elementary algebra overview, analytic geometry overview, equations and inequalities of first and second degree, exercises on the solution of equations and inequalities of second degree and systems of inequalities by analytical and graphical methods.
COORDINATES, TRIGONOMETRY:
Oriented lines, polar coordinates, cartesian coordinates, distance between two points. Unit circle, trigonometric functions, addition and subtraction formulas, duplication and bisection formulas, transformation between cartesian and polar coordinates.
ELEMENTS OF ENUMERATIVE COMBINATORICS:
Simple dispositions, permutations and combinations, binomial coefficients, properties and definitions.
MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS:
Definitions and properties of matrices, diagonal matrices, transpose matrix, inverse matrix. Determinant of a square matrix, Laplace theorems, Sarrus rule, general properties of determinants, minors and rank of a matrix.
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a square matrix.
SYSTEMS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS:
Overview on systems of linear equations, Rouché-Capelli theorem, Cramer theorem, systems of m equations in n unknowns, homogeneous systems.
ANALYTIC GEOMETRY OVERVIEW:
Cartesian plane, equation of a straight line, parallelism, orthogonality and intersection of straight lines. Circle, ellipse, hyperbola and parabola. General equation of conic sections.
REAL VARIABLE FUNCTIONS:
Trigonometric functions, composition of functions, inverse functions, inf and sup of a function, limits of a function, theorems about limits, uniqueness of limits theorem, permanence of sign theorem, squeeze theorem, limit of a sum, product, quotient, etc. of functions, notable limits.
CONTNUOUS FUNCTIONS:
Definitions and basic properties, continuity, Neper number, maximum and minimum, inverse function.
DERIVATIVES:
Definition and geometric interpretation of derivatives, operations on derivatives and differentiation rules, differentiation of trigonometric functions, differentiation of combined functions and inverse functions, differentiability and continuity, differential, higher derivatives, relative maxima and minima, asymptotes, concavity and convexity, inflection points, graphs of functions. Rolle, Cauchy, Lagrange, De L'Hopital theorems, indeterminate forms.
TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS:
Inverse trigonometric functions, logarithm function, exponential function, hyperbolic functions.
FUNCTIONS OF TWO VARIABLES:
Definitions, domain, limits and continuity, partial derivatives and higher partial derivatives. Hessian matrix. Brief notes on function of n variables.
INTEGRALS:
Indefinite integrals, definition and properties, relation between integrability e differentiability, notable integrals, definite integrals, calculation of areas. Double integrals.

ELEMENTS OF PHYSICS

Reality description: models, theories, laws and measurements; the international system of units; scalar quantities and vector quantities; sum and difference of vectors; decomposition of vectors along given directions; scalar product, cross product, mixed product.
KINEMATICS:
Basics. Motion of point particles. Coordinate systems. Linear velocity and acceleration. Uniform and non-uniform circular motion; angular velocity and acceleration.
DYNAMICS:
Newton laws (I, II e III) and their applications. Point particles dynamics. Friction forces. Work and kinetic energy. Conservative forces. Potential energy; energy conservation. Power. Non-conservative forces. Momentum and its conservation; collisions and their classification. Motion of rigid bodies and equilibrium conditions. Moment of inertia and angular momentum for rotations around a fixed axis; momentum of forces; second law of rigid body dynamics. Kinetic energy; rolling and the role of frictions. Work and power.
FLUIDS:
Hydrostatics and applications. Fluid dynamics: mass flow rate, conservation law of mass flow rate. Bernoulli theorem and applications. Real fluids: surface tension and capillarity.

"Lezioni di matematica generale" - Alvaro Marucci - Edizioni Sette Città, Viterbo

1. General genetics
- Introduction to genetics; biological diversity and role of organic macromolecules
- Structure of genetic material (nucleic acids) and DNA replication; chromosomes and chromatin
- Flow of genetic information from DNA to proteins: transcription and translation, genetic code
- Gene expression regulation
- Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis
- Mendelian genetics and principles of trait inheritance: mono- and di-hybrid crosses, backcross, chi-square test
- Genetic linkage, recombination and genetic maps
- Mutations (point, chromosomal, genomic)
- Genetics of quantitative traits, continuous variability, genetic and phenotypic components of variability, basis of statistical analysis.
2. Plant breeding
- Introduction, origin and evolution of cultivated species, exploitation of genetic biodiversity as a source of useful genes
- Methods to create new variability, inter- and intra-specific hybridization; interaction between genes, environment and phenotype
- Characterization of trait polymorphism, phenotypic and genotypic selection, marker assisted selection
- Reproductive systems and barriers of cultivated species
- Genetic structure of populations
- Methods of breeding autogamous crops
- Chromosome engineering for wheat breeding
- Methods of breeding allogamous crops, and vegetatively propagated crops
- Integrative platforms for plant breeding
- Exercises: visit to experimental fields

Russell PJ: Genetica - Un approccio molecolare, Pearson editore
Barcaccia G, Falcinelli M: Genetica e Genomica. Vol. II. Miglioramento genetico. Liguori Editore S.r.l.
Didactic material provided by the teacher

Elements of Technical Physics. Heat transmission: conduction, convection, radiation. Mollier's diagram of moist air. Psychrometric formulas. Solar radiation: U.V., visible, short, medium and long infrared. Models for calculating solar radiation. Transmittance to solar radiation of greenhouse roofing materials, the greenhouse effect, the choice of greenhouse roofing materials. The greenhouse covering materials: glass, rigid and flexible transparent plastic laminates, screens, sheets, nets. Types and construction features of greenhouses. The energy balance of greenhouses. Greenhouse air conditioning: systems for controlling temperature, relative humidity, light, CO2. Soilless cultivation systems. Computerized control and management systems. Legislative and environmental aspects.

Didactic material given by the teacher during the course
UNI-EN 13031-1 “Greenhouses: Design and Construction. Part 1: Commercial production greenhouses” Milano

Raw materials for growing substrates
Physical, chemical and biological fertility of growing media
Substrate analysis
Legal requirements for growing media

Zaccheo P., Cattivello C., I substrati di coltivazione, Edagricole, Bologna
Lesson notes;
Specific scientific papers will be suggested during the course.

Fungi, bacteria, spore forming bacteria. Microbial growth on substrata and on habitats plant related. Microbial interactions. Substrata microbiology. Microbiology of seeds, leaf and rhizosphere. Plant biostimolation in nursery using PGPR, fungi, pseudo-symbiosis. Management of inoculum. Ecotoxicology.

slides and litterature

Fungi, virus and harmful bacteria on seeds at nursery productions
Phytoiatric concepts
active ingredients that can be used in conventional and organic crops
Agronomic-cultural practices to protect the seed-vivastic sector
Reference legislation
Study cases

Notes from the lessons
Websites and publications suggested by the teacher

Importance of the seed in modern agriculture. - The seed chain - Aspects of seed quality - Ecological factors and agronomic aspects of seed crops - The main crops weeds from seed. Varietal constitutions. Production of hybrid seeds by manual and chemical emasculation, male sterility and self-incompatibility - European, national and regional seed legislation. The protection of varieties. Varietal registers - Certification of seeds and field checks - Recognition of seeds of the main species of agricultural interest and weeds.

• Ciriciofolo e BenincasaSementi - Biologia, produzione e tecnologia. Edizioni Agricole di New Business Media srl, 2017 Università di Perugia. 2001
• Favero La semente. Requisiti, normativa, produzione e tecnologia. Reda, 1983
• Quagliotti Produzione delle sementi ortive. Edagricole, 1992

Course content:
Organization of the nursery production of fruit trees, grapevive and and olive trees in Italy, Europe and worldwide. The importance of plant nursery quality. Seed propagation. Physiological basis of dormancy. Techniques for overcoming dormancy. Vegetative propagation techniques: propagation by stolons, ovules and suckers. Layering and offshoot. Propagation by cuttings. Physiological basis of adventitious root formation. Cellular competence and determination. Factors affecting the role of genotype, donor plant, type of cutting, age of cutting, etc .... Improvement of adventitious root formation: role of inhibitors, use of auxins, polyamines, catabolites, mycorrhizae and PGPR. Grafting: physiological aspects, types of grafting and execution period. Grafting-cutting: purpose and application. Objectives of the use of in vitro propagation techniques in fruit trees, grapevine and olive trees production. Organization of the nursery: structures and protected areas for the propagation of wood species. Organic nursery production techniques.
- Practices
Cutting preparation and execution of rhizogenic treatments. Graft. Basal heating and nebulization management. Collection of explants for micropropagation, transfer of crops during in vitro proliferation, elongation and rooting; methods of acclimatization of young plants.

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Reference Textbook:
- Mcdonald B. (1990) - Practical Woody Plant Propagation for Nursery Growers. Vol. I. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
- Hartmann Hudson T. - Kester Dale E. (2001) - Propagazione delle piante. Basi scientifiche e applicazioni tecniche. Editore: Edagricole
- Attilio Sonnoli (2019) Vivaismo olivicolo. Edagricole.

Presentation of the horticultural sector and definition of the quality of young plants. Techniques of agamic propagation (and micropropagation). Propagation by seed. Examples of the nursery sector: roses, gerberas, orchids, ferns, chrysanthemums, geophytes, crassulaceae, etc. Presentation of specialised nurseries. Innovative technologies: use of beneficial microorganisms and/or biostimulants to improve seedling quality, LED light, ozone and cold plasma as sanitising agents, etc.

Libro Colture Protette e Ortoflorovivaismo in ambiente mediterraneo: Edagricole (Romano Tesi).
Course outlines

Introduction to Forest Biodiversity: definition, Importance and threats.
Introduction to the Italian wild dendroflora: general characters of trees and forests. Biomes and Phytoclimes. Species ranges. Taxonomy and identification of the most important tree species used in nursery activities.
Forest seeds: biology, harvesting, conservation. Provenance regions. National legislation.
Forest seeds: dormancy removal and germination. Quality tests and routine analyses.
Organization and management of forest nurseries.
Development of plantation plans.

Magini E. “Appunti di Vivaistica Forestale”. Cusl Firenze 1985

Organization of the in vitro culture laboratory: characteristics, structures and planning. Main equipment necessary for the implementation of the micropropagation. Fundamentals of gamic and agamic reproduction of tree, herbaceous and vegetable species of agricultural, ornamental and spontaneous interest. In vitro culture: concepts and definitions. In vitro organogenesis methods and their application. Basics of legislation. In vitro cultures for ex-situ conservation and biodiversity conservation. Cellular totipotency. In vitro micropropagation and multiplication. Somaclonal mutation: causes, consequences, advantages and disadvantages. Culture on agar and liquid media, temporary immersion systems and bioreactors. Mother plants: choice and collection of plant material. Stages of micropropagation and composition: preparation substrates, proliferation, rooting and acclimatization. Application of micropropagation in species of agricultural interest. Recent acquisitions and developments of micropropagation: capsules, synthetic seeds, photoautotrophic cultures.
- Practices
Practical laboratory activities will be carried out such as: manipulations in aseptic conditions, culture substrates, removal of meristematic apices, stabilization of explants, verification of the in vitro proliferation coefficient obtainable from different types of vitro-derived explants. Implementation of in vitro and in vivo rooting procedures of micropropagated material. Acclimatization and return in situ of the different plant species.

-Detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.
- Pierik R. L. 1999. In Vitro Culture of Higher Plants , Kluwer Academic Publishers
- Triggiano et al 2010
- Hartman e Kester Propagazione delle piante. EDAGRICOLE

Module: Advanced selection techniques
Molecular markers and genetic analysis
Concept of genetic marker and introduction to the analysis of molecular polymorphism.
Biochemical markers. Molecular markers, DNA hybridization and PCR, RFLP markers, RAPD, SCAR, CAPS, AFLP, SSR, and SNP markers.
Use of molecular markers for selection
Formal genetics and development of genetic maps; use of biparental populations (BC, F2, RIL, DH) and multiparental (MAGIC).
Search for markers linked to loci controlling qualitative and quantitative traits; marker assisted selection in plant breeding. Genomic selection. Positional cloning of Mendelian genes and QTLs.

Barcaccia & Falcinelli - Genetica e genomica Vol. III - Liguori editore.
Material prepared by the teacher.

Grammar: tenses – present simple and present continuous, past simple and past continuous – future (will/going to/present continuous) – 1st and 2nd conditionals – comparatives and superlatives – use of definite and indefinite articles – use of passive – modals - quantifiers
Topics: technology, environment, human resources, sport, nature, generational differences
Vocabulary: as per above topics
Skills:
Listening – understands main ideas when speaking about everyday matters, current affairs and issues of personal and professional interest
Reading – understands texts written in an everyday language or related to work, understands the description of personal emotions and wishes, is able tpo read and understand specific texts related to area of study
Writing – able to write simple, well-connected texts on matters they are familiar with or related to studies
Speaking – able to connect simple sentences in order to narrate events in the past, present and future, able to explain and motivate personal opinions and tell a story or plot of a film/book, etc., is able to express him/herself at B1 level in relation to area of study

Murphy: English Grammar in Use, Intermediate, Fifth Edition, Cambridge University Press
National Geographic Learning, Life Pre-Intermediate Student’s Book, Second Edition - material provided by teacher