Soil chemistry
Definition of soil, characteristics and properties of soil colloidal fraction, soil anion and cation exchange capacity, pH and soil buffer capacity. Natural and anthropic soils.
Bichemistry
Introduction to the biochemistry
Glucides, lipids, proteins
Enzymes and bio-energetic
Catabolism
Synthesis of ATP
Anabolism
Photosynthesis
Secondary metabolism
Plant soil nutrient up take strategy
Certini, Ugolini. Basi di Pedologia..Edagricole Ed.
Schaetzl and Anderson. Soils Genesis and Geomorphology. Adobe eBook Reader
Calamai, Radaelli . Chimica del Suolo. Piccin Ed.
Strawn, Bohn, O'Connor. Soil Chemistry, 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell Eds.
Bosetto, Lozzi. Elementi di Biochimica agraria. Aracne Ed. Pinton, Cocucci, Nannipieri, Trevisan. Fondamenti di Biochimica Agraria. Patron Ed..
Lea J.P., Leegood R.C. Plant biochemistry and molecular biology. Wiley Ed
Learning Objectives
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): basic known of agricultural chemistry and plant biochemistry to allow the student to understand the most important biological processes that characterized soil functionality and plant life.
Prerequisites
Students are expected to be familiar with the principles and terminology of inorganic and organic chemistry, soil chemistry and with the morphology, anatomy and physiology of plants
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course: 144
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 96
Contact hours forLectures: 36
Laboratory/practice: 8
Seminars/excursions:4
Stages: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab., although not compulsory, is recommended
Teaching tools:
Video projector, PC, overhead projector, labs
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: oral examination on the subjects of lectures and laboratory
Course program
SOIL CHEMISTRY
Definition of soil. Soil physical characteristics: soil texture, structure, aggregates, porosity.
Soil chemical characteristics: soil colloidal mineral (clay, Fe-Al oxides-hydroxides) and organic (soil organic matter) fractions. Develop and relevance of soil charge (pH independent and pH dependent charge). Soil cation and anion exchange capacity. Definition of soil pH, its relevance and determination (pH H20 and pH KCl). The soil pH buffer capacity.
Soil as a biological system: relevance of the biotic component, definition of hot spots and bulk soil. Discrimination between the different hot spot typology. Definition of soil fertility and soil functionality concepts. Definition of stressed soils and discrimination between extreme and polluted soils. Description of the functionality of acid, saline, arid, submerged, glacial, volcanic and fire soils. Description of the functionality of anthropic soils: agricultural soils and polluted soil.
BIOCHEMISTRY
Introduction to the main organic molecules with biochemical relevance: Carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids and proteins
The metabolism: anabolism and catabolism, Bio-energetic and enzymatic activity.
Catabolism: glucides, fatty acids and proteins degradation; Citric Acids Cycle.
Anabolism: mithocondrial ATP synthesis, photosynthesis light dependent phase (ATP synthesis and reductive power production); photosynthesis light independent phase (C3 plants); lipids and proteins biosynthesis.
Secondary metabolism: major classes of secondary products and their functions in plant.
Plant adaptation to abiotic stress: climatic stress (C3 photorespiration, C4, CAM, Chlororespiration); water and salinity stress (pectin and trehalose), nutrient deficit stress (Nitrogen) N2 fixing and flesh eating plants .
The rhizosphere: root exudates and their relevance in plant nutrient uptake; plant nutrient uptake strategy for nitrogen (NH4+; NO3-), iron and phosphate.
SEMINARI
Laboratory safety rules: how to approach activities in laboratory
Introduction to the main molecular techniques based on DNA/RNA, fatty acid and protein molecules analysis
Laboratory exercitations
Determination of soil texture, pH, cation exchange capacity.
Extraction and purification methods of organic molecules from soil (DNA).