Plant biology (3 CFU
The plant cell and the plant tissues (basic knowledge). Plant organs (flower, fruit, seed, leaf, stem, root - basic knowledge). The main plant functions (photosynthesis, evapotranspiration). Diversity of plant taxa. Why and how to identify a plant species. Morphological and genetic identification. How to collect plant samples. WEB resources for plant species identification. Flora, vegetation, habitats (basic knowledge). How to read a vegetation map. International and national legislation for plant protection (basic knowledge). Legal definition of woodland. Medicinal species, toxic-poisonous species, allergenic, and alien species (examples). Quarantine plant species and Risk Analysis (basic knowledge).
Agroecosystem management (6 CFU)
Natural and agricultural ecosystems: components, objectives of agroecosystems, productions, services, social component of agroecosystems, approaches and analysis tools.
Biophysical and functional components of agroecosystems: biotic and abiotic factors, processes, energy and matter flows, trophic levels and food chains, energy and productivity, agronomic inputs and environmental impact, C, N e P cycles.
Diagnostic elements to design efficient agroecosystems.
Climatic and meteorological characterization of agroecosystems. Solar radiation, temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, evapotranspiration. Concepts, climatic analysis, main effects of climatic factors on crop growth and development.
Soil characterization and diagnostics: soil texture, structure, bulk density, hydrological characteristics. Soil sampling and interpretation of soil analytical results.
Cropping systems: agro-technique (tillage, irrigation, fertilization, weed management), fundamentals of crop rotation and intercropping. Technical choices and implications on socio-agroecosystems.
Main world cropping systems and implications on global food security. Food sovereignty. Sustainable development goals. UN convention on sustainable development. Causes, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Land degradation and desertification.
Entomology (3 CFU)
Basics of entomology. Insects and man. History and principles of insect pest control and IPM (integrated pest management). Control tools. Control methods.
