Soil functions. Elements of soil ecology. Introduction to the soil survey. Soil-landscape relations. Reading and editing of soil maps at farm level. Land capability classification. Forms of soil degradation and mitigation measures. Soil tillage: pros and cons. Conventional and conservation agriculture.
"Agricoltura blu. La via italiana dell'agricoltura conservativa", edited by Michele Pisante and Fabio Stagnari. Edagricole, 2018
Lecture notes and slides are provided during the course.
Learning Objectives
1. Becoming able to read a soil map
2. Acquiring skills for mapping soils at farm level
3. Knowing how to evaluate the soil capability
4. Learning to identify the most suitable soil management on the basis of the assessed soil properties.
Prerequisites
None.
Teaching Methods
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 96
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 32
Contact hours for: Field trips and laboratory activities (hours): 16
Further information
The participation in the lessons and field trips is not compulsory, but highly recommended.
Teaching tools:
Personal computer and video projector.
Type of Assessment
Spoken examination on the subjects treated during lectures and field trips.
Verification of learning of the basic concepts; reasoning skills on real cases; command of technical-scientific language.
Course program
Soil functions. Elements of soil ecology. Introduction to the soil survey. Soil-landscape relations. Reading and editing of soil maps at farm level. Land capability classification. Forms of soil degradation and mitigation measures. Soil tillage: pros and cons. Conventional and conservation agriculture.
Contents of practice exercises: Visits to farms, with interpretation of the main soil characteristics. Examples of conventional and conservation agriculture.
Laboratory exercise: preparation of a soil sample for the analysis and measurement of some basic characteristics of the soil (pH, texture, organic substance).