Degree Course: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Syllabus for A.Y. 2020/2021  

The course is structured into three main sections: the first focuses on the basic aspects of plant biology, the second on plant diversity and the evolutionary relationships of plants and the third on the botanical aspects of the main crops. During the course two practical classes are also are planned.
In the first section after an introduction on the general concepts of cytology, peculiarities of the plant cell are illustrated, then the different levels of organization are addressed, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, highlighting the relationship between cytological, histological and morphological aspects. In particular at cellular level the following topics will be discussed: the plant cell, the cell wall, the cytoskeleton, the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), the vacuole, plastids and the nucleus including also cell cycle and an introduction to mitosis and meiosis. At tissue level, meristematic, parenchymal, mechanical, tegumental, conducting, and secretory tissues, while at the organ level, the stem, leaf and root. Finally, reproduction, seeds and fruits are addressed at organisms level.
In the second part, devoted to plant diversity, is illustrated in detail the theory of evolution and the main lines of evolution of the plant kingdom with particular reference to the main morphological, biological, phylogenetic and adaptive aspects of plants.
In particular this section of the course covers the main general features, modality of reproduction and systematic of the major plant evolutionary lines: cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, both dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
The third section considers the botanical aspects of the major crop plants grown in Italy (wheat, rice, tomato, olive, apple, corn, potato, vitis and citrus fruits) but also abroad (soybean, cotton and canola). In this section plants as producers of bioactive molecules, plants as environmental purifiers and plants producing allergens are also shortly introduced.
The course also includes a guided visit to the University Botanical Garden "Angelo Rambelli", the visit is intended to illustrate the importance of Botanical Gardens and the underlying principles followed in their design and establishment, particular importance is reserved to explaination of the different recreated biomes.

Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni. Piccin

For insights:
Biologia delle piante di Raven. Ray F Evert, Susan E Eichhorn. Zanichelli

The first part of the course is devoted to describe basic concepts of general chemistry also useful for understanding organic chemistry, which is dealt with in the second part. In particular, the following topics are studied: atoms, molecules, ions, atomic structure, periodic table of elements, chemical bonds, hybridization, inorganic compounds (oxides, anhydrides, hydroxides, acids, salts, peroxides, hydrides) , chemical reactions, balancing, stoichiometry, solutions, acids and bases, pH. The second part id devoted to the study of the structure, the nomenclature, the properties and the reactivity of the following classes of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, halogenated compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines. Then, stereoisomery and biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids).

Fondamenti di Chimica Generale - R. Chang, K. Goldsby, McGraw-Hill Education; Chimica Organica Essenziale - M. Botta, Edi-Ermes

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

General characteristics of the plant
Cell wall: composition, structure and functions. Plasmodesmata: structure and function.
Vacuole: structure and functions.

Transport of water and solutes
Water and plant: water importance for the plant. Water characteristics. Water movement from the ground to the atmosphere: diffusion, mass flow and osmosis. Electrochemical potential of water and water potential. Components of water potential. Use of water potential and experimental methods for measuring water potential (psychrometer and pressure chamber). The movement of water in the plant: anatomy of the xylem; radical absorption; root pressure; transpiration; relative humidity; stomata and stomatal regulation. Theory of tension-cohesion. Absorption of solutes: plasma membrane. Active and passive transport. Potential of Nerst (outline). Channels: carriers and pumps; K+ channel and sucrose-proton carrier.

Photosynthesis and phloem transport
Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions and carbon reactions. Biosynthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. Photoinhibition. Site of action of diuron and paraquat herbicides.
CO2 concentration mechanisms: C4 plants and CAM plants. Transpiration ratio. The transport of photosynthates: phloem anatomy; characteristics of phloem transport; definition of source and sink organs. Phloem loading and unloading. Pressure flow hypothesis. Assimilate allocation and distribution.

Growth, development and defence
Importance of light as an environmental signal. Plant responses regulated by blue light and red light. Action spectrum and absorption spectrum. Skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors. Phytochrome characteristics: pr and pfr forms of phytochromes; phytochrome function and its role in the shadow perception in heliophilous plants; importance of the phytochrome in seed germination; photoperiodism; long- and short-day plants. Importance of night duration in the photoperiodic response; demonstration of the phytochrome involvement in the photoperiodic response. Vernalization. Signal perception in leaves.
Plant hormones: what is and how a plant hormone acts. Physiological aspects of hormonal activities: multiple responses induced by different hormones. Auxins: auxin polar transport; cell distension and the acid growth hypothesis; phototropism. Gibberellins: induction of alpha-amylase in seed germination; growth of the stem (cell distension) and effect on the cell wall. Cytokinins: stimulation of cell division. Abscisic acid: regulation of stomata the closure. Ethylene: regulation of fruit ripening. Brassinosteroids (brief). The defence response of plants: secondary metabolites; constitutive and induced defence responses, including the acquired systemic response (outline).

Plant biotechnology
Plant biotechnology: definition. Essential steps for the production of transgenic plants. Importance of knowledge of physiological processes for the manipulation of the traits of interest: Case study: fruit softening process in tomato. GM plant cultivation.

Recommended textbooks

Taiz L. and Zeiger E. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2013), Piccin
Rascio et al. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2012), EdiSES
Pupillo P., Cervone F., Cresti M, Rascio N., 2003. Biologia vegetale. Zanichelli
Teaching material provided by the professor

- Introduction to Genetics.
- The genetic material: chemical composition and structure of nucleic acids. Chromatin and chromosomes; structure of eukaryotic chromosome.
- DNA replication.
- From DNA to proteins: transcription; genetic code; translation and protein synthesis.
- Control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Brief outline of genomics: size, types of sequences and organization of eukaryotic genomes (examples of sequenced animal and plant genomes, as compared to prokaryotic genomes). Chromosomes and chromatin; structure of the eukaryotic chromosome, karyotypes; chromatin organization: nucleosomes and super-coiling and effect on transcription; eu- and heterochromatin, banding.
- Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis.
- Genetics and inheritance of simple traits: Mendel's laws - dominance and recessiveness, segregation in monohybrids and dihybrids, independent assortment, testcross, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles and codominance. Chromosome theory of inheritance.
- Linkage and recombination; genetic maps.
- Mutations: point mutations; chromosome rearrangements, transposable elements, genomic variations: polyploidy, aploidy, aneuploidy.
- Brief outline of genetics of quantitative traits: continuous variation, mean and variance. Experiments by Nilsson-Ehle and Emerson-East. Heritability estimates, response to selection.

- Main textbook: Russell PJ .: Genetics - A molecular approach, Pearson publisher (or similar textbooks, preferably by the same author)
- Teaching material of all the topics covered, including any insights, provided by the teacher and available on the teaching materials website

• Introduction: the use and models in economics
• The market mechanism
• Individual and aggregate demand
• Individual and aggregate supply
• Market equilibrium and its alterations
• Substitute and complementary goods
• Price and Income elasticity
• The role of the public sector
• The production function,
• Types of production costs
• Implicit, explicit and opportunity costs
• Fixed and variable costs, average and marginal costs
• Maximum profit in perfect competition
• Externalities
• Public goods

Gregory Mankiw, Essentials of Economics

Parameters and indices of zootechnical interest: growth, reproduction and lactation. The intrinsic quality of products of animal origin. Animal welfare. The environmental impact of breeding activities. Genetic improvement of farm animals. Notions of nutrition and feeding of farm animals. The breeding of dairy cattle. Pig breeding. Breeding of poultry species.

- Bortolami R., Callegari E., Beghelli V. 2009. Anatomia e fisiologia degli animali domestici. Edagricole, Bologna.
- Fondamenti di Zootecnia. Miglioramento genetico, Nutrizione e Alimentazione. 2007. G. Bittante, I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin. Liviana Scolastica. - Tecniche di Produzione Animale. 2005. G. Bittante, I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin. Liviana Scolastica.
- Papers provided by professor.

Levels of organization of the animal body: concept of cell, tissue, organ, system, apparatus. Elements of morphology and physiology of the main tissues. Morpho-functional aspects of the Skeletal, Articular and Muscular System. Digestive system of monogastric and polygastric animals; Male and female reproductive systems; Mammary gland and lactation physiology. Endocrine system, Physiology of thermoregulation. Immune response. Natural and instrumental mating, innovative biotechnology of reproduction.
Body conformation, production attitudes/capacity and distribution of the main livestock species and breeds.

Bortolami R., Callegari E., Beghelli V. - Anatomia e fisiologia degli animali domestici, Edagricole Bologna

Bittante G. , I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin, Tecniche di produzione animale, Liviana Editrice, Padova

Aguggini G., Beghelli V., Giulio L.F. Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia. UTET, Torino

First part: agroecosystems biophysical factors
The agricultural crop (growth indices). Climate and agricultural crops: solar radiation; evapotranspiration; temeperature; rainfall; effective rainfall.
Cultivated and natural soils: definition, functions, composition; soil profile; fertility and productivity.
Soil texture and particle size distribution: stony soils; sandy soils; silty soils; clay soils; loam.
Soil structure: general aspects and structure types; role of soil structure; assemblage and size of aggregates; stability of aggregates; porosity; factors acting on soil structure.
Soil chemical and physico-chemical properties: composition; soil solution and cation exchange capacity; soil pH; salinity anomalies.
Soil water: measuring soil moisture; soil water potential; water retention curve and its determination.

Second part: agroecosystem management
Soil tillage.
Irrigation: irrigation variables; watering rate; water use efficiency; irrigation timing; seasonal crop water requirements; irrigation methods; irrigation water quality.
Soil organic matter (SOM) and organic fertilizers: types of organic matter and their origin; soil transformations and humic balance; factor acting on SOM transformations; SOM functions; organic fertilization; commercial organic fertilizers.
Mineral fertilization: classification and market requirements of mineral fertilizers; nitrogen fertilizers; phosphate fertilizers; potassium fertilizers; composite mineral fertilizers; crop response to fertilizers; optimal fertilization rate; farm requirements and environmental constraints; fertilization plans; yield quality response to fertilization.
Weed management: preventive measures; physical direct means; chemical weed management.
Cropping systems: species sequence and rotations.

Textbook:
Authors: P. Ceccon, M. Fagnano, C. Grignani, M. Monti, S. Orlandini
title: AGRONOMIA
edition: EDISES 2017 (http://www.edises.it/universitario/agronomia.html)

Lesson slides and videos made available by the teacher

General part
- Importance of vegetable crop production and floriculture in Italy and in the World
- Classification of vegetable crops and flower crops
- Quality of products (vegetables and flowers)
- Propagation and nursery
- Protected cultivation (greenhouses, tunnels)
- Planning productions and crop rotations
- Cultural techniques: soil preparation, planting, mulching, irrigation, fertilization, weed control, growth regulators, harvest.
Special Part
Economic importance, botanical characteristics, pedo-climatic needs, agronomic techniques, low-input and organic production, utilization of edible product in the main vegetable crops (asparagus, artichoke, cawliflower, lettuce, melon, processing tomato and fresh-market tomato) and flower crops (chirsantemum, gerbera, lilium).

Orticoltura. Principi e pratica. di A. Pardossi, G. Prosdocimi Gianquinto, P. Santamaria, 2018. Edagricole-New Business Media

PART 1: general concepts of Hydraulics.
Hydrostatic: pressures and Stevino's law. Hydrodynamics: piezometric heads and total heads, Bernoulli's theorem, flow rate, continuity principle, types of movement, load losses and related formulas, verification and design of channels and pipelines.
Pumping systems: general information, design problems, types of pumps.
General concepts of foronomy
PART 2: general concepts of Hydrology.
The hydrological cycle and its components. Description of the main hydrological quantities: temperature, precipitation, flow rate. The Hydrological Annals. Precipitation measurement: the pluviometer, the pluviograph, the Thiessen polygon method. Measurement of flow rates: direct measurements (flowmeters) and indirect measurements (rating curves).
Description of a river basin. Description of river floods. Hydrogeological risk. Definition of design hydrograph. Surface and deep flow. Identification of the two components of the design hydrograph.
Elements of hydrological statistics. Overview of the main distributions used (Normal, Gumbel, Exponential). Return Time of a hydrological quantity. Design and interpretative importance of Return Time. Return time formula. Statistical analysis of the precipitation to be used as input for the definition of the design discharge with assigned return time. Depth-Duration-Frequency Curves and Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curves. Rainfall-runoff modeling. Rational Formula. Concentration time.
PART 3: general concepts of Irrigation.
Water-soil relationships: physical properties of the soil, filtration motions in saturated soil, wells and water tables. Water-plant relationships: generality, evapotranspiration and calculation methods, irrigation parameters. The irrigation of the land: by submersion, by compartments, by sliding, by artificial rainfall, micro irrigation, mechanized irrigation.

Materiale didattico: estratti dei testi seguenti
Moisello: Idrologia tecnica (collocazione biblioteca: 627/MOI/A,B)
Greppi: Idrologia (collocazione biblioteca: 551.48/GRE/A,B)
Chow: Applied hydrology (collocazione biblioteca: 551.48/CHO
Maione: Le piene fluviali (collocazione biblioteca: 551.489/MAI/A,B)
Citrini: Idraulica (collocazione biblioteca: 627/CIT)
Falciai: Appunti di idraulica agraria (collocazione biblioteca: 631.7/FAL)
Capra–Scicolone: Progettazione e gestione degli impianti irrigui (collocazione biblioteca: 627.52/CAP)
Rosso: Manuale di progettazione idraulica del territorio (collocazione biblioteca: 627.4/ROS/A,B)
Da Deppo, Datei, Salandin: Sistemazione dei corsi d'acqua (collocazione biblioteca: 627/DAD/A,B)
Ferro V. La sistemazione dei bacini idrografici (collocazione biblioteca: 627.86 (21))

Physics and mechanics applied to machines. Introduction to thermodynamics.
The constitution of agricultural machines (endothermic engines, mechanical and hydraulic transmissions, pneumatic, guide and control organs, tool connection systems, machine safety, ergonomics).
The correct use of agricultural machines (grip, slip control, soil compaction).
Measurement of working times and losses, field yields, operating costs, cost-benefit analysis.
The certification and approval of agricultural machinery.

"Slide" delle lezioni

A) rural buildings

- Construction Science
Generalities on elastic bodies, Hooke's law; real behavior of bodies under load; coefficients of resistance and safety.
Simple and Compound Solicitations: Solicitations simple structures with straight axis; diagrams of tensions; solids loaded tip.
Theory of beams: constraints; load mode; diagrams of the bending moment and shear; calculation and verification of isostatic beams.
Snow load, wind load. Method semi-probabilistic limit state. The laminated wood. Design and verification of reinforced concrete structures.

Cows's stables: Types of the stables; design and construction of the stables; organization and sizing of free stalls; structural characteristics of the different areas and the utility rooms.
Stables for calves: General organization of the buildings for the breeding of cattle for fattening; types of fences and paving; management of manure.

Stables for pigs: General organization of pig; classification of piggeries: types of stalls for childbirth: their size; organization of piggeries; types of flooring; management of manure.
Hospitalizations for pigs: General organization of the buildings for the breeding of pigs; classification of piggeries: types of stalls for childbirth: their size; organization of piggeries; flooring; management of manure.

Greenhouses: The greenhouse effect; the energy balance; materials transparent coating; types of greenhouses, sizing, control microclimate.

- Control of environmental conditions
Role of the buildings in the modern farm; basic requirements of the farm buildings.
The energy balance in farm buildings: bio-climatic factors and physical factors that characterize the microclimate; the terms of the energy balance; the air-steam mixture; the psychrometric chart.

B) Topography
Survey instrument and methods, GPS survey, cartography.

Lecture notes and teaching material provided by the teacher during the course;
Chiumenti, Costruzioni rurali, Edizione Edagricole, Bologna.

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.

The tree as a complex biological system which integrates organs and functions, with properties to adapt to the ambient. Organography of cultivated fruit crop species. The correlative relationships among organs and development of the tree's epigeal organs and growth patterns. Natural skeleton and architecture of canopy of tree crop plants, determinism of form and size. The role of anthropic actions on fruit culture and evolution of forms of cultivated canopies. Physiognomy and development of root systems.
Physiological and genetic regulation of flowering: factors controlling flower morphogenesis and fruit set. Sterility and self-incompatibility in fruit tree plants. Fruit development and ripening: growth patterns, biochemical dynamic of fruit components. Fruit quality characteristics of different species; ripening indexes and evaluation methods of quality parameters.
Fruit tree crop canopies managements: pruning and tilling techniques for controlling fruit development and ripening.
Physiological and genetic molecular bases and techniques of adventitious rooting and agamic fruit crop propagation. Organization of nursery and control of true-to-type identity and sanity.
Plant and environment interaction. The concept of environmental vocation and suitability and hints of eco-physiology (role of environmental factors in the development of the tree). The use of environmental resources in the cultivation technique (water, fertility elements, light). Soil management techniques. Fruit quality and the influence of terroir. Conventional and sustainable production models. The orchard system, training management and functional diversity. Multifunctionality of tree production systems.
Monographic treatment of the main tree crops: vine, olive, actinidia, stone fruit, pome fruit, chestnut, walnut, hazelnut, citrus and minor fruit trees. For each species are synthetically considered: botanical and biological peculiarities; pedo-climatic needs; cultivation problems; varietal panorama; propagation; cultivation techniques (planting, foliage, ripening and post-harvest management).

Arboricoltura Generale. A cura di S. Sansavini et al, 2012. Patron Editore, Bologna
Nuove frontiere dell'arboricoltura italiana. A cura di S. Sansavini. 2007. Alberto Perdisa Editore
Materiale dato dal docente: diapositive delle lezioni e articoli di giornale, capitoli di libri e review.

The teaching programme (6 CFU) is related to the main industrial agro-food chain. The main class topics are reported below:
1) General concepts (0,5 CFU);
2) Dairy industry (1,5 CFU): i) physico-chemical milk composition. Lactose (solubility, sweetening, crystallization, fermentation). Lipid fraction (fat globule structure and technological functionality). Proteins (classification and functional characteristics); ii) drinking milk, pasteurization, sterilization and other treatments; iv) rennet cheese-making process, rennet biochemical properties, cheese-making phases, influence of raw material and technology on the cheese-making process; V) production of milk derivatives (cream, butter, yogurt); vi) management and opportunities of dairy by-products
3) Industry of vegetable-based oils and fats (1 CFU): i) from olives to oil, extraction technology, discontinuous and continuous methods, qualitative and regulatory aspects, the oils classification ii) extraction of oil from seeds: seed preparation and extraction technology. Refining of crude oil, iii) the margarine industry.
4) Meat industry (1,25 CFU): i) meat muscle transformation techniques; ii) the tenderization phase; iii) conservation; iv) cured meats.
5) Eggs and egg-products (0,25 CFU): i) the egg composition; ii) shell, egg white and yolk; III) official methods for egg analysis; iv) product classes; v) egg products and related sectors of application.
5) Wine industry (1,5 CFU): i) classification of alcoholic beverages, ii) biochemistry of the winemaking process, notes on red and white winemaking; iii) sparkling wine, classic and Charmat methods.

a) Chimica degli alimenti (Cabras e Martelli)- editore: Piccin.

b) Scienza del latte (Charles Alais)- editore: Tecniche Nuove.

ASSESSING THE RESULTS OF FARMS
THE FARM AND ITS TYPOLOGIES.
Introduction.
Classifications of production factors used by the farm.
The capital of traditional in economic analysis of the farm.
- Land Capital
- Financial Capital.
Labor.
Main Taxes and Dues paid in Agriculture
- Income tax.
- Additional income tax
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Municipal Own Tax (IMU)
- Regional Tax on Productive Activities (IRAP)
Concluding remarks

THE EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC RESULTS OF THE FARM WITH THE APPROACH OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCOME STATEMENT.
BALANCE SHEET.
The Active of the Balance Sheet
- The working capital
- The Fixed Capital
- The Passive of the Balance Sheet
- The Capital Minority
- The Net Capital
- The assessment of the capital invested.
- The determining of depreciation
- The change in the balance sheet during the year administration.

THE INCOME STATEMENT.
- The Saleable Production
- The Integrations and the Public Payments
- The Variable Costs, Value Added and Gross Revenue.
- The Fixed Costs and EBITDA.
- Operating Income
- Economic Results of non-typical activities
- Economic Result of extraordinary activities
- Net Income
- Summarizing remarks

PROFITABILITY THE FARM.
- The assessment of profitability with the estimate of income from capital
- The assessment of profitability with the estimate of labor income

- An economic analysis of the single activities carried out by the farm.

THE ECONOMIC SITUATION AND FINANCIAL IN A HAZELNUTS FARM
Introduction.
- The plots of the farm.
- Implants arboreal farm.
- The buildings and the land improvements.
- The driving and operating machinery.
- The available family labor.
- The Economic Report.
- The Balance Sheet.
- The Income Statement
- The remuneration to the factors provided by the entrepreneur and his family.
- The ratio analysis of the hazelnut farm.

- An economic analysis of the single activities of the farm.

Lecture notes by the teacher: Gabriele Dono, 2019, Farm Economics (AY 2019-2020)

Introduction with focus on the systematic position of the class insects within the phylum Arthropoda, insect plant pests, agricultural practices, biological equilibrium.
External features of insects: structure and function. External anatomy: exoskeleton, head, thorax, abdomen, endoskeleton. Anatomy of insects: digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, reproductive system, nervous system. Postembryonic development of insects, metamorphosis, Hemimetabola, Holometabola. Biological cycles; transmission of pathogens.
Integrated and biological pest control. Insect control: agricultural, mechanical, physical, chemical, biological-biotechnical methods. Short history of insecticides. Main chemical insecticides (active ingredients, commercial formulations, insecticide mixtures, fumigants). Phytotoxicity of insecticides; mode of penetration of insecticides; mechanisms of action of insecticides; selectivity; systemicity; persistence. Metabolism of insecticides; insect resistance to pesticides. Deleterious side effects of insecticides, effects regarding chemical pesticide sprays on arthropod populations, effects at short and long range, damages on the fauna, in particular pollinators and entomophagous species, environment and human health. Problems regarding insecticide applications: labels, waiting periods, protection of workers, handling and storage of pesticides.
Examples of biology and management strategies for major insect pests belonging to the following orders: Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera.

The laboratory exercises are based on the use of dichotomous keys in order to allow students to observe, recognize and evaluate the different morphological characters of insects in order to classify them at the level of order, suborder and sometimes even family.
Dependent on the number of students, the exercises are carried out in several shifts.

-Important is the material distributed by the teacher and notes during the lectures of the teacher (pdf files of the presentations).
- Gli insetti ed il loro controllo. A cura di Francesco Pennacchio, Liguori Editore.
- Manuale di entomologia applicata 2/ed / Aldo Pollini. - Bologna : Edagricole, Il Sole 24 ore [2013] - 1504 p.
- Generalità e mezzi di controllo / Ermenegildo Tremblay. - 7. ed. Liguori, 2003. - 282 p. (Volume 1).

Rural appraisal
Financial mathematics

I Evaluation theory
-The estimative doctrine; the characrteristics of the appraisal activity; method of appraisal activitiy.
- Different meanings of Value; the Price in relation to the goods to be estimated; the estimative procedure and its implications; the tangible assets subject to evaluation.
-The stages of the estimate; the economic aspects of an asset; the synthetic and the analytical approach; the determination of the land benefit and the capitalization rate.

Specific appraisal categories
- Estimates of land improvements; the estimation of arboreal stands; the appraisal of farms.
-The legal estimates: easements; insured damages; expropriation; hereditary successions.

III Land Cadastre
- Notes on the Land Cadastre formation and update.

Suggested readings
M. Michieli, G.B. Cipollotti; Trattato di estimo, Edagricole
Introduzione
cap. 9, 11 - 14, 16 - 20, 23 - 25, 28, 45, 47 - 49, 51 - 61, 63 - 68


M. Polelli, Nuovo trattato di estimo, Maggioli editore

Additional readings available on Moodle

Biology of phytopathogenic agents (bacteria, fungi, viruses).
Host-pathogen interactions: attack strategies by plant pathogens and defense mechanisms of plants.
Susceptibility, resistance, pathogenicity and virulence. Infectious process.
Epidemiological aspects. Influence of environmental factors on the outbreak and spread of the disease. Predictive models.
Control strategies of plant diseases (prevention and treatment) by using conventional and orgsnic pesticides.
Use of innovative technologies (GIS, GPS, Drones) in plant protection.
Study cases.

Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale
Matta, Patron Editore, Bologna.

Manuale di Patologia Vegetale (Voll. I-IV)
G. Goidanich, Edizioni Agricole.

Terapia Vegetale
S. Foschi, A. Brunelli, I. Ponti
Edagricole.

Manuale di Fitoiatria
Image LINE, Edagricole.

Malattie crittogamiche delle piante da frutto
Ponti, F. Laffi, Schede fitopatologiche,
Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.

Malattie crittogamiche delle piante ortive
Ponti, F. Laffi, Schede fitopatologiche,
Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.

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

The first part of the course is devoted to describe basic concepts of general chemistry also useful for understanding organic chemistry, which is dealt with in the second part. In particular, the following topics are studied: atoms, molecules, ions, atomic structure, periodic table of elements, chemical bonds, hybridization, inorganic compounds (oxides, anhydrides, hydroxides, acids, salts, peroxides, hydrides) , chemical reactions, balancing, stoichiometry, solutions, acids and bases, pH. The second part id devoted to the study of the structure, the nomenclature, the properties and the reactivity of the following classes of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, halogenated compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines. Then, stereoisomery and biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids).

Fondamenti di Chimica Generale - R. Chang, K. Goldsby, McGraw-Hill Education; Chimica Organica Essenziale - M. Botta, Edi-Ermes

The course is structured into three main sections: the first focuses on the basic aspects of plant biology, the second on plant diversity and the evolutionary relationships of plants and the third on the botanical aspects of the main crops. During the course two practical classes are also are planned.
In the first section after an introduction on the general concepts of cytology, peculiarities of the plant cell are illustrated, then the different levels of organization are addressed, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, the mechanisms of development and reproduction, highlighting the relationship between cytological, histological and morphological aspects. In particular at cellular level the following topics will be discussed: the plant cell, the cell wall, the cytoskeleton, the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus), the vacuole, plastids and the nucleus including also cell cycle and an introduction to mitosis and meiosis. At tissue level, meristematic, parenchymal, mechanical, tegumental, conducting, and secretory tissues, while at the organ level, the stem, leaf and root. Finally, reproduction, seeds and fruits are addressed at organisms level.
In the second part, devoted to plant diversity, is illustrated in detail the theory of evolution and the main lines of evolution of the plant kingdom with particular reference to the main morphological, biological, phylogenetic and adaptive aspects of plants.
In particular this section of the course covers the main general features, modality of reproduction and systematic of the major plant evolutionary lines: cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms, both dicotyledons and monocotyledons.
The third section considers the botanical aspects of the major crop plants grown in Italy (wheat, rice, tomato, olive, apple, corn, potato, vitis and citrus fruits) but also abroad (soybean, cotton and canola). In this section plants as producers of bioactive molecules, plants as environmental purifiers and plants producing allergens are also shortly introduced.
The course also includes a guided visit to the University Botanical Garden "Angelo Rambelli", the visit is intended to illustrate the importance of Botanical Gardens and the underlying principles followed in their design and establishment, particular importance is reserved to explaination of the different recreated biomes.

Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Abbate, Cinzia Forni. Piccin

For insights:
Biologia delle piante di Raven. Ray F Evert, Susan E Eichhorn. Zanichelli

General characteristics of the plant
Cell wall: composition, structure and functions. Plasmodesmata: structure and function.
Vacuole: structure and functions.

Transport of water and solutes
Water and plant: water importance for the plant. Water characteristics. Water movement from the ground to the atmosphere: diffusion, mass flow and osmosis. Electrochemical potential of water and water potential. Components of water potential. Use of water potential and experimental methods for measuring water potential (psychrometer and pressure chamber). The movement of water in the plant: anatomy of the xylem; radical absorption; root pressure; transpiration; relative humidity; stomata and stomatal regulation. Theory of tension-cohesion. Absorption of solutes: plasma membrane. Active and passive transport. Potential of Nerst (outline). Channels: carriers and pumps; K+ channel and sucrose-proton carrier.

Photosynthesis and phloem transport
Photosynthesis: light-dependent reactions and carbon reactions. Biosynthesis of starch and sucrose. Photorespiration. Photoinhibition. Site of action of diuron and paraquat herbicides.
CO2 concentration mechanisms: C4 plants and CAM plants. Transpiration ratio. The transport of photosynthates: phloem anatomy; characteristics of phloem transport; definition of source and sink organs. Phloem loading and unloading. Pressure flow hypothesis. Assimilate allocation and distribution.

Growth, development and defence
Importance of light as an environmental signal. Plant responses regulated by blue light and red light. Action spectrum and absorption spectrum. Skotomorphogenesis and photomorphogenesis. Photoreceptors. Phytochrome characteristics: pr and pfr forms of phytochromes; phytochrome function and its role in the shadow perception in heliophilous plants; importance of the phytochrome in seed germination; photoperiodism; long- and short-day plants. Importance of night duration in the photoperiodic response; demonstration of the phytochrome involvement in the photoperiodic response. Vernalization. Signal perception in leaves.
Plant hormones: what is and how a plant hormone acts. Physiological aspects of hormonal activities: multiple responses induced by different hormones. Auxins: auxin polar transport; cell distension and the acid growth hypothesis; phototropism. Gibberellins: induction of alpha-amylase in seed germination; growth of the stem (cell distension) and effect on the cell wall. Cytokinins: stimulation of cell division. Abscisic acid: regulation of stomata the closure. Ethylene: regulation of fruit ripening. Brassinosteroids (brief). The defence response of plants: secondary metabolites; constitutive and induced defence responses, including the acquired systemic response (outline).

Plant biotechnology
Plant biotechnology: definition. Essential steps for the production of transgenic plants. Importance of knowledge of physiological processes for the manipulation of the traits of interest: Case study: fruit softening process in tomato. GM plant cultivation.

Recommended textbooks

Taiz L. and Zeiger E. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2013), Piccin
Rascio et al. Element di Fisiologia vegetale (2012), EdiSES
Pupillo P., Cervone F., Cresti M, Rascio N., 2003. Biologia vegetale. Zanichelli
Teaching material provided by the professor

- Introduction to Genetics.
- The genetic material: chemical composition and structure of nucleic acids. Chromatin and chromosomes; structure of eukaryotic chromosome.
- DNA replication.
- From DNA to proteins: transcription; genetic code; translation and protein synthesis.
- Control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Brief outline of genomics: size, types of sequences and organization of eukaryotic genomes (examples of sequenced animal and plant genomes, as compared to prokaryotic genomes). Chromosomes and chromatin; structure of the eukaryotic chromosome, karyotypes; chromatin organization: nucleosomes and super-coiling and effect on transcription; eu- and heterochromatin, banding.
- Cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis.
- Genetics and inheritance of simple traits: Mendel's laws - dominance and recessiveness, segregation in monohybrids and dihybrids, independent assortment, testcross, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles and codominance. Chromosome theory of inheritance.
- Linkage and recombination; genetic maps.
- Mutations: point mutations; chromosome rearrangements, transposable elements, genomic variations: polyploidy, aploidy, aneuploidy.
- Brief outline of genetics of quantitative traits: continuous variation, mean and variance. Experiments by Nilsson-Ehle and Emerson-East. Heritability estimates, response to selection.

- Main textbook: Russell PJ .: Genetics - A molecular approach, Pearson publisher (or similar textbooks, preferably by the same author)
- Teaching material of all the topics covered, including any insights, provided by the teacher and available on the teaching materials website

• Introduction: the use and models in economics
• The market mechanism
• Individual and aggregate demand
• Individual and aggregate supply
• Market equilibrium and its alterations
• Substitute and complementary goods
• Price and Income elasticity
• The role of the public sector
• The production function,
• Types of production costs
• Implicit, explicit and opportunity costs
• Fixed and variable costs, average and marginal costs
• Maximum profit in perfect competition
• Externalities
• Public goods

Gregory Mankiw, Essentials of Economics

Parameters and indices of zootechnical interest: growth, reproduction and lactation. The intrinsic quality of products of animal origin. Animal welfare. The environmental impact of breeding activities. Genetic improvement of farm animals. Notions of nutrition and feeding of farm animals. The breeding of dairy cattle. Pig breeding. Breeding of poultry species.

- Bortolami R., Callegari E., Beghelli V. 2009. Anatomia e fisiologia degli animali domestici. Edagricole, Bologna.
- Fondamenti di Zootecnia. Miglioramento genetico, Nutrizione e Alimentazione. 2007. G. Bittante, I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin. Liviana Scolastica. - Tecniche di Produzione Animale. 2005. G. Bittante, I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin. Liviana Scolastica.
- Papers provided by professor.

Levels of organization of the animal body: concept of cell, tissue, organ, system, apparatus. Elements of morphology and physiology of the main tissues. Morpho-functional aspects of the Skeletal, Articular and Muscular System. Digestive system of monogastric and polygastric animals; Male and female reproductive systems; Mammary gland and lactation physiology. Endocrine system, Physiology of thermoregulation. Immune response. Natural and instrumental mating, innovative biotechnology of reproduction.
Body conformation, production attitudes/capacity and distribution of the main livestock species and breeds.

Bortolami R., Callegari E., Beghelli V. - Anatomia e fisiologia degli animali domestici, Edagricole Bologna

Bittante G. , I. Andrighetto, M. Ramanzin, Tecniche di produzione animale, Liviana Editrice, Padova

Aguggini G., Beghelli V., Giulio L.F. Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici con Elementi di Etologia. UTET, Torino

First part: agroecosystems biophysical factors
The agricultural crop (growth indices). Climate and agricultural crops: solar radiation; evapotranspiration; temeperature; rainfall; effective rainfall.
Cultivated and natural soils: definition, functions, composition; soil profile; fertility and productivity.
Soil texture and particle size distribution: stony soils; sandy soils; silty soils; clay soils; loam.
Soil structure: general aspects and structure types; role of soil structure; assemblage and size of aggregates; stability of aggregates; porosity; factors acting on soil structure.
Soil chemical and physico-chemical properties: composition; soil solution and cation exchange capacity; soil pH; salinity anomalies.
Soil water: measuring soil moisture; soil water potential; water retention curve and its determination.

Second part: agroecosystem management
Soil tillage.
Irrigation: irrigation variables; watering rate; water use efficiency; irrigation timing; seasonal crop water requirements; irrigation methods; irrigation water quality.
Soil organic matter (SOM) and organic fertilizers: types of organic matter and their origin; soil transformations and humic balance; factor acting on SOM transformations; SOM functions; organic fertilization; commercial organic fertilizers.
Mineral fertilization: classification and market requirements of mineral fertilizers; nitrogen fertilizers; phosphate fertilizers; potassium fertilizers; composite mineral fertilizers; crop response to fertilizers; optimal fertilization rate; farm requirements and environmental constraints; fertilization plans; yield quality response to fertilization.
Weed management: preventive measures; physical direct means; chemical weed management.
Cropping systems: species sequence and rotations.

Textbook:
Authors: P. Ceccon, M. Fagnano, C. Grignani, M. Monti, S. Orlandini
title: AGRONOMIA
edition: EDISES 2017 (http://www.edises.it/universitario/agronomia.html)

Lesson slides and videos made available by the teacher

General part
- Importance of vegetable crop production and floriculture in Italy and in the World
- Classification of vegetable crops and flower crops
- Quality of products (vegetables and flowers)
- Propagation and nursery
- Protected cultivation (greenhouses, tunnels)
- Planning productions and crop rotations
- Cultural techniques: soil preparation, planting, mulching, irrigation, fertilization, weed control, growth regulators, harvest.
Special Part
Economic importance, botanical characteristics, pedo-climatic needs, agronomic techniques, low-input and organic production, utilization of edible product in the main vegetable crops (asparagus, artichoke, cawliflower, lettuce, melon, processing tomato and fresh-market tomato) and flower crops (chirsantemum, gerbera, lilium).

Orticoltura. Principi e pratica. di A. Pardossi, G. Prosdocimi Gianquinto, P. Santamaria, 2018. Edagricole-New Business Media

Plant propagation and nursery industries. Plant organs and tissues. Certification of plant materials, patents and novelties. Organization of a micropropagation lab, culture media, components, physiological and morphogenic response of explants, choice of plant material. Multiplication and de novo shoot organogenesis. Cell culture and their application.
In vitro culture and germplasm preservation. Embryo rescue, Embryo culture and techniques to overcome incompatibility (mentor pollen, in vitro pollination ecc…). In vitro culture for breeding and genetics (somaclonal variation, protoplast fusion, hybrids, molecules for selective pressure, elicitors). Genetic engineering: a) Agrobacterium spp., b) PEG, c) electroporation d) biolostic, e) analysis of scientific paper

- Material provided by the teacher
- Pierik R. L. 1999, In Vitro Culture of Higher Plants , Kluwer Academic Publishers
- Triggiano et al 2010, English version
- Hartman e Kester Propagazione delle piante. EDAGRICOLE

The course starts with the basic principles of recombinant DNA illustrating the mechanism of action of of restriction and modification enzymes, and gene cloning through host-vector systems.
The mechanism of action of standard and quantitative PCR is presented in detail, but particular importance is given to applications of such methodologies, through specific examples.
Among the different methods of DNA sequencing only the Sanger method is reported, both in its manual and automated versions.
The various techniques of analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, including electrophoresis on agarose and polyacrylamide and through blotting (Southern, Northern and Western blotting), and the different fields of application of these techniques are presented.
In regard to libreries, both the construction process, and the analysis of the genomic, cDNA and expression libraries are shown, with an emphasis on information obtained from their use.
The Arabidopsis thaliana and Homo sapiens genome projects are presented, explaining the criteria of choice of model organisms, and information obtained by the complete knowledge of these genomes.
Structural, functional and comparative genomics, as well as the technologies related to each of these branches, are presented. In particular, technologies related to structural genomics, through analysis of the genomic libraries for the sequencing of extended portions of DNA, and to functional genomics, through the main techniques of analysis of transcriptome and proteome, are explained.
Finally, genetically modified plants are presented: how they are realized through the two main systems (biolistic and Agrobacterium), by illustrating advantages and disadvantages of both these methods; how a genetic construct for expression in plants is made, which genetically modified plants are present on the market, with hints related to the issue of their acceptability.

Practical classes:
• Bacterial transformation using a recombinant plasmid vector, which is extracted in a subsequent practical class and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis
• Standard PCR to determine the presence of a specific transgene in plants of GM wheats
• SDS-PAGE to analyze the protein composition of wheat kernels
• The use of the spectrophotometer to determine the amount of DNA and proteins

If the students are more than 25, practical classes are performed in turns.

Brown T. Molecular Biotechnology
Slides and other materials will be made available to students on Moodle platform

Biotechnology for the improvement of crop production.
Introduction to the role of biotechnologies applied to plant production with reference to genetic engineering, in vitro cell and tissue cultures, to technologies for diagnosis and traceability, to the study of genetic variability for phylogenesis, varietal characterization and management of germplasm, to the techniques for manipulating protoplasts and obtaining interspecific hybrids.
Molecular markers and genetic analysis.
Concept of genetic marker and introduction to molecular polymorphism analysis.
Biochemical markers. Molecular markers, hybridization and PCR, RFLP and VNTR markers, RAPD, SCAR, CAPS, AFLP, SSR, ISSR, SNP markers.
Use of molecular markers
Studies of formal genetics and development of association maps;
search for markers associated with loci that control qualitative and quantitative characters;
positional cloning of Mendelian and QTL genes;
marker assisted selection for genetic improvement;
linkage disequilibrium and mapping by association;
genetic variability analysis, genetic distances and clustering methods;
varietal characterization and gene flow analysis.
Practice topics.
In silico research of microsatellite markers and identification of primer pairs to amplify the SSR region.
Search for single nucleotide polymorphisms from EST libraries by sequence alignment.
Screening of an F2 population segregating morphological and molecular markers, phenotyping, genotyping (DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis), data analysis.

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

A) rural buildings

- Construction Science
Generalities on elastic bodies, Hooke's law; real behavior of bodies under load; coefficients of resistance and safety.
Simple and Compound Solicitations: Solicitations simple structures with straight axis; diagrams of tensions; solids loaded tip.
Theory of beams: constraints; load mode; diagrams of the bending moment and shear; calculation and verification of isostatic beams.
Snow load, wind load. Method semi-probabilistic limit state. The laminated wood. Design and verification of reinforced concrete structures.

Cows's stables: Types of the stables; design and construction of the stables; organization and sizing of free stalls; structural characteristics of the different areas and the utility rooms.
Stables for calves: General organization of the buildings for the breeding of cattle for fattening; types of fences and paving; management of manure.

Stables for pigs: General organization of pig; classification of piggeries: types of stalls for childbirth: their size; organization of piggeries; types of flooring; management of manure.
Hospitalizations for pigs: General organization of the buildings for the breeding of pigs; classification of piggeries: types of stalls for childbirth: their size; organization of piggeries; flooring; management of manure.

Greenhouses: The greenhouse effect; the energy balance; materials transparent coating; types of greenhouses, sizing, control microclimate.

- Control of environmental conditions
Role of the buildings in the modern farm; basic requirements of the farm buildings.
The energy balance in farm buildings: bio-climatic factors and physical factors that characterize the microclimate; the terms of the energy balance; the air-steam mixture; the psychrometric chart.

B) Topography
Survey instrument and methods, GPS survey, cartography.

Lecture notes and teaching material provided by the teacher during the course;
Chiumenti, Costruzioni rurali, Edizione Edagricole, Bologna.

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.

The tree as a complex biological system which integrates organs and functions, with properties to adapt to the ambient. Organography of cultivated fruit crop species. The correlative relationships among organs and development of the tree's epigeal organs and growth patterns. Natural skeleton and architecture of canopy of tree crop plants, determinism of form and size. The role of anthropic actions on fruit culture and evolution of forms of cultivated canopies. Physiognomy and development of root systems.
Physiological and genetic regulation of flowering: factors controlling flower morphogenesis and fruit set. Sterility and self-incompatibility in fruit tree plants. Fruit development and ripening: growth patterns, biochemical dynamic of fruit components. Fruit quality characteristics of different species; ripening indexes and evaluation methods of quality parameters.
Fruit tree crop canopies managements: pruning and tilling techniques for controlling fruit development and ripening.
Physiological and genetic molecular bases and techniques of adventitious rooting and agamic fruit crop propagation. Organization of nursery and control of true-to-type identity and sanity.
Plant and environment interaction. The concept of environmental vocation and suitability and hints of eco-physiology (role of environmental factors in the development of the tree). The use of environmental resources in the cultivation technique (water, fertility elements, light). Soil management techniques. Fruit quality and the influence of terroir. Conventional and sustainable production models. The orchard system, training management and functional diversity. Multifunctionality of tree production systems.
Monographic treatment of the main tree crops: vine, olive, actinidia, stone fruit, pome fruit, chestnut, walnut, hazelnut, citrus and minor fruit trees. For each species are synthetically considered: botanical and biological peculiarities; pedo-climatic needs; cultivation problems; varietal panorama; propagation; cultivation techniques (planting, foliage, ripening and post-harvest management).

Arboricoltura Generale. A cura di S. Sansavini et al, 2012. Patron Editore, Bologna
Nuove frontiere dell'arboricoltura italiana. A cura di S. Sansavini. 2007. Alberto Perdisa Editore
Materiale dato dal docente: diapositive delle lezioni e articoli di giornale, capitoli di libri e review.

Introduction with focus on the systematic position of the class insects within the phylum Arthropoda, insect plant pests, agricultural practices, biological equilibrium.
External features of insects: structure and function. External anatomy: exoskeleton, head, thorax, abdomen, endoskeleton. Anatomy of insects: digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, reproductive system, nervous system. Postembryonic development of insects, metamorphosis, Hemimetabola, Holometabola. Biological cycles; transmission of pathogens.
Integrated and biological pest control. Insect control: agricultural, mechanical, physical, chemical, biological-biotechnical methods. Short history of insecticides. Main chemical insecticides (active ingredients, commercial formulations, insecticide mixtures, fumigants). Phytotoxicity of insecticides; mode of penetration of insecticides; mechanisms of action of insecticides; selectivity; systemicity; persistence. Metabolism of insecticides; insect resistance to pesticides. Deleterious side effects of insecticides, effects regarding chemical pesticide sprays on arthropod populations, effects at short and long range, damages on the fauna, in particular pollinators and entomophagous species, environment and human health. Problems regarding insecticide applications: labels, waiting periods, protection of workers, handling and storage of pesticides.
Examples of biology and management strategies for major insect pests belonging to the following orders: Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera.

The laboratory exercises are based on the use of dichotomous keys in order to allow students to observe, recognize and evaluate the different morphological characters of insects in order to classify them at the level of order, suborder and sometimes even family.
Dependent on the number of students, the exercises are carried out in several shifts.

-Important is the material distributed by the teacher and notes during the lectures of the teacher (pdf files of the presentations).
- Gli insetti ed il loro controllo. A cura di Francesco Pennacchio, Liguori Editore.
- Manuale di entomologia applicata 2/ed / Aldo Pollini. - Bologna : Edagricole, Il Sole 24 ore [2013] - 1504 p.
- Generalità e mezzi di controllo / Ermenegildo Tremblay. - 7. ed. Liguori, 2003. - 282 p. (Volume 1).

The teaching programme (6 CFU) is related to the main industrial agro-food chain. The main class topics are reported below:
1) General concepts (0,5 CFU);
2) Dairy industry (1,5 CFU): i) physico-chemical milk composition. Lactose (solubility, sweetening, crystallization, fermentation). Lipid fraction (fat globule structure and technological functionality). Proteins (classification and functional characteristics); ii) drinking milk, pasteurization, sterilization and other treatments; iv) rennet cheese-making process, rennet biochemical properties, cheese-making phases, influence of raw material and technology on the cheese-making process; V) production of milk derivatives (cream, butter, yogurt); vi) management and opportunities of dairy by-products
3) Industry of vegetable-based oils and fats (1 CFU): i) from olives to oil, extraction technology, discontinuous and continuous methods, qualitative and regulatory aspects, the oils classification ii) extraction of oil from seeds: seed preparation and extraction technology. Refining of crude oil, iii) the margarine industry.
4) Meat industry (1,25 CFU): i) meat muscle transformation techniques; ii) the tenderization phase; iii) conservation; iv) cured meats.
5) Eggs and egg-products (0,25 CFU): i) the egg composition; ii) shell, egg white and yolk; III) official methods for egg analysis; iv) product classes; v) egg products and related sectors of application.
5) Wine industry (1,5 CFU): i) classification of alcoholic beverages, ii) biochemistry of the winemaking process, notes on red and white winemaking; iii) sparkling wine, classic and Charmat methods.

a) Chimica degli alimenti (Cabras e Martelli)- editore: Piccin.

b) Scienza del latte (Charles Alais)- editore: Tecniche Nuove.

Animal cell cultures: Background. The laboratory of cell culture: general principles on the maintenance of cell cultures. Description of main equipment of animal cell cultures laboratory. Tools and material to isolate and grow cell cultures. The main types of animal cell cultures: primary cultures and cell lines. Differences between primary and cell lines cultures. Basic techniques for immortalized cell cultures in adhesion and in suspension. Trypsinization, counted and propagation of a cell line. Analysis of cell viability. Techniques of disinfection and sterilization. Material and methods of sterilization. Contamination control. Elimination of microbial contamination in cell cultures. Safety standards in laboratory cell cultures. Techniques of cell preservation: cryopreservation. "In vitro" cytotoxicity tests.

Animal transgenesis: history and application. Overview of gene transfer strategies in animal cells. DNA-mediated transformation. Transformation techniques. Transformation transient and stable transformation. The selectable markers. The reporter genes. Main expression systems in animal cells. Retroviral vectors. Methods for the production/generation of transgenic mice. Microinjection of the pronucleus. Transfection of early embryos. Transfection of ES cells. Random recombination and homologous recombination. "Gene targeting" in ES cells. Introduction of small mutations. Targeting vectors: insertion and replacement. "Gene targeting." The knock out. The knock on. Positive-negative selection of ES cells. Use of transgenic animals in biotechnology and in basic research. Animal cloning.

RNA interference (RNAi). The discovery of gene interference and gene silencing with small RNAs. siRNA and miRNA. The function of miRNAs. The biochemistry of gene silencing mediated by small RNAs. Potential therapeutic applications of RNAi.

Quantitative PCR (Real Time PCR); differences between QPCR endpoint and QPCR in real time; chemical fluorogenic in real time PCR "specific" and "non-specific"; absolute quantification and relative quantification. Examples of real time PCR in livestock farming.

Analysis of gene expression using a micro-array. Molecular basis of microarray technology. Chip cDNA and oligonucleotide chips. Generation of microarray sequences from databases with automatic annotation. experimental design with microarray. elements of analysis. diagnostic applications. microarray applications: SNP detection arrays - to identify single nucleotide polymorphism in the genome of different populations; comparative genomic hybridization (Array CGH) - mRNA or gene expression profiling - to study the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously; Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) studies - to determine the binding of proteins specifc in specific portions of DNA (ChIP-on-chip technology).

DNA sequencing: New DNA sequencing techniques. Technological platforms for next generation sequencing for molecular diagnostics in vitro (Solexa Illumina, Affymetrix gene-chips, Roche 454, Applied Biosystems Solid, Helicos). Applications in the livestock production.

Applications of molecular markers in domestic species. Control of diseases and food safety using DNA for the traceability of animal products, crossings and improved selections, increased efficiency of livestock production, individual identification, sex identification, assessment relationship, identification of genetic markers associated with genes responsible for diseases. SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) as marker for the identification of polymorphisms in candidate genes associated to marker assisted selection.

GMOs in animal feed. What is a GMO. Global area of GM crops. The GM varieties. Legislation on the use of GM plants. Assessment of risks to human and animal health. Toxicity, allergy, antibiotic resistance, presence of transgenic fragments in tissues and / or organs. Analytical methods to identify GMOs in food.

Practical classes:
Animal Cell culture: epithelial cells of bovine mammary gland. Trypsinization and cells counting. Cellular protein extraction and quantification by colorimetric assay. RNA extraction from cell culture and quantification using fluorometric assay, reverse transcription of RNA. Quantitative PCR (Real Time PCR) for gene expression evaluation in bovine mammary gland cells.

G.L. Mariottini et al. " Introduzione alle colture cellulari", Ed.Tecniche Nuove, 2010.
J. D. Watson, A. A. Caudy, R. M. Myers, J. A. Witkowski “DNA ricombinante«, Zanichelli, 2008.
Barcaccia G. e Falcinelli M. «Genetica e genomica» vol. III, Genomica e biotecnologie genetiche, capitolo 21, pag 1041-1123. Liguori editore.
- Didactic material provided by the teacher.

Rural appraisal
Financial mathematics

I Evaluation theory
-The estimative doctrine; the characrteristics of the appraisal activity; method of appraisal activitiy.
- Different meanings of Value; the Price in relation to the goods to be estimated; the estimative procedure and its implications; the tangible assets subject to evaluation.
-The stages of the estimate; the economic aspects of an asset; the synthetic and the analytical approach; the determination of the land benefit and the capitalization rate.

Specific appraisal categories
- Estimates of land improvements; the estimation of arboreal stands; the appraisal of farms.
-The legal estimates: easements; insured damages; expropriation; hereditary successions.

III Land Cadastre
- Notes on the Land Cadastre formation and update.

Suggested readings
M. Michieli, G.B. Cipollotti; Trattato di estimo, Edagricole
Introduzione
cap. 9, 11 - 14, 16 - 20, 23 - 25, 28, 45, 47 - 49, 51 - 61, 63 - 68


M. Polelli, Nuovo trattato di estimo, Maggioli editore

Additional readings available on Moodle

PROGRAM The course is organized in two main sections: the first is focused on biochemistry and the second on molecular biology.
Biochemistry 1- Introduction to the course / Basics 2-Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, polysaccharides, glycoconjugates. 3- Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids. 4-Amino acids, peptides and proteins. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Function of proteins. The role of enzymes. 5-Lipids: reserve lipids, membrane lipids, lipids as signals and cofactors. Exercises: carbohydrates: determination of total starch / amylose in wheat kernels.
Molecular Biology - 1-Organization of genetic material in species of agricultural interest 2- DNA replication 3- Transcription 4- Translation 5- Overview of gene regulation in plants of agricultural interest 6- Recombinant DNA technology. - Overview of Microbiology / cloning of genes isolated from plant species - Genbank and database Exercises 1- Working with E. coli (cloning of plant-isolated genes) 2- Extraction of plasmid DNA 3- Quantification of nucleic acids / DNA digestion 4- Electrophoresis. Applications of recombinant DNA technology 1- Genetic modification of plants 2- GMOs: myths and superstitions 3- Selected cases of products deriving from genetically modified plants

Biochimica e biologia molecolare. Principi e tecniche.Edizione italiana a cura di Mirella S. Pilone e Loredano Pollegioni. Raffaello Cortina Editore. Teaching materials provided by the professor.

Introduzione alla Biochimica di Lehninger. David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox. Zanichelli.

Biology of phytopathogenic agents (bacteria, fungi, viruses).
Host-pathogen interactions: attack strategies by plant pathogens and defense mechanisms of plants.
Susceptibility, resistance, pathogenicity and virulence. Infectious process.
Epidemiological aspects. Influence of environmental factors on the outbreak and spread of the disease. Predictive models.
Control strategies of plant diseases (prevention and treatment) by using conventional and orgsnic pesticides.
Use of innovative technologies (GIS, GPS, Drones) in plant protection.
Study cases.

Fondamenti di Patologia Vegetale
Matta, Patron Editore, Bologna.

Manuale di Patologia Vegetale (Voll. I-IV)
G. Goidanich, Edizioni Agricole.

Terapia Vegetale
S. Foschi, A. Brunelli, I. Ponti
Edagricole.

Manuale di Fitoiatria
Image LINE, Edagricole.

Malattie crittogamiche delle piante da frutto
Ponti, F. Laffi, Schede fitopatologiche,
Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.

Malattie crittogamiche delle piante ortive
Ponti, F. Laffi, Schede fitopatologiche,
Edizioni L’Informatore Agrario.