LECTURES. Degraded and marginal lands: definitions and characteristics. Forage resources to valorise marginal lands. Types of forage resources. Establishment and management of forage mixtures in different pedo-climatic conditions. Assessment and management of natural pastures. Vegetation recovery in degraded areas due to anthropogenic activities or to natural causes. Establishment and management of revegetation in different contexts (vineyards, orchards, ski slopes, quarries, landslides, etc.). Agri-environmental impacts and sustainability integrated assessment of no-food cropping systems.
Introduction to the renewable energies
The world and national situation, CO2 and GHG emissions, the main renewable energies, renewability concept. Carbon cycle, Kyoto protocol. National and European rules on bio energy production. Description of the principal techniques for GHG reduction.
Techniques and methodologies for the renewable energy production
Definition of short and long chain. Biomass energy: methodologies for biomass transformation: combustion, gasification, pyrolisis. Technical-chemical characteristics of biomass. Biofuels: typologies and methodologies for production of first and second generation biofuels. Biodiesel, pure vegetable oil, ethanol, Hydrogen. Technical-chemical characteristics of biofuels and of the main vegetal matrix: oils, sugars and polymers.
The crops for renewable energies production.
Crops for biomass production (ligno-cellulosic).
Annual crops: Fiber sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), Hemp (Cannabis indica). Poliennal Crops: Cane (Arundo donax), Miscantus (Miscanthus sinensis), Thistle (Cynara cardunculus). Short description of Short Rotation Forestry.
Crop residues and industrial residues
Crops for biofuels production
Oleaginouse crops: Sunflower (Helianthus annus), Rapeseed (Brassica napus), False flax (Camelina sativa), Flax (Linum usitatissum), Brassica carinata, Minor crops: Safflower, Soybean, Castor bean, Peanut.
Alcohol crops: a) Sugar crops: Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), Sweet sorghum; b) starch crops: Cereals and others; c) Ligno-cellulosic.
Tropical and sub-tropical Crops for Energy production.
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas), Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), Sugar cane (Shaccarum officinalis).
R. Baldoni, L. Giardini. Coltivazioni erbacee. Foraggere e Tappeti erbosi. Patron editore, 2002.
Lessons notes
Didactic material edit by the Professor
Coltivazioni erbacee. F. Bonciarelli, U. Bonciarelli. Ed. Edagricole
Available at Faculty and Department library.
Slides of all topics of the course.
Copies of papers and technical reports provided by the teachers.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: specific knowledge concerning the management of forage resources in marginal lands. Revegetation and turfgrass for degraded areas and aesthetic and sport purposes.
Instruments and methodologies for the definition, cultivation, treatments and transformation of the vegetal crops for the production of renewable energies.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): establishment and management of forage resources, of environmental recovery processes and turfs.
Elements characterizing the different renewable energies that can be produced in agriculture, the main bio carburant, the crops suitable for the energy production and the main methods for transformation..
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): skills concerning the management of forage crops in marginal lands and the utilisation of techniques and vegetal materials for degraded, aesthetic and sport areas.
Detailed knowledge of the methodologies for the production of bio energies in the agricultural sector, direct knowledge of the chain (short and long) for energy and bio-carburant production, knowledge of the vegetal crops for bio energy production, cropping techniques, harvest and first treatment.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended): no.
Frequency of lectures and practices: recommended
Teaching Methods
CFU 9
Total hours of the course: 225 (= 9 x 25)
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 153
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 40
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 0
Contact hours for: Practices (hours): 29-32
Seminars (hours): 0-3
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: oral examination on the subjects of lectures and practices.
Programme (short version for Diploma Supplement):
Forage resources for marginal lands. Establishment and management of revegetated areas and turfs.
Introduction to renewable energies. Techniques and methodologies for energy production. The crops for bio- energy: biomass crops, alcohol crops, ligno-cellulosic crops. Sub-tropical crops for energy production.
Course program
LECTURES. Degraded and marginal lands: definitions and characteristics. Forage resources to valorise marginal lands. Types of forage resources. Establishment and management of forage mixtures in different pedo-climatic conditions. Assessment and management of natural pastures. Vegetation recovery in degraded areas due to anthropogenic activities or to natural causes. Establishment and management of revegetation in different contexts (vineyards, orchards, ski slopes, quarries, landslides, etc.). Agri-environmental impacts and sustainability integrated assessment of no-food cropping systems.
Introduction to the renewable energies
The world and national situation, CO2 and GHG emissions, the main renewable energies, renewability concept. Carbon cycle, Kyoto protocol. National and European rules on bio energy production. Description of the principal techniques for GHG reduction.
Techniques and methodologies for the renewable energy production
Definition of short and long chain. Biomass energy: methodologies for biomass transformation: combustion, gasification, pyrolisis. Technical-chemical characteristics of biomass. Biofuels: typologies and methodologies for production of first and second generation biofuels. Biodiesel, pure vegetable oil, ethanol, Hydrogen. Technical-chemical characteristics of biofuels and of the main vegetal matrix: oils, sugars and polymers.
The crops for renewable energies production.
Crops for biomass production (ligno-cellulosic).
Annual crops: Fiber sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), Hemp (Cannabis indica). Poliennal Crops: Cane (Arundo donax), Miscantus (Miscanthus sinensis), Thistle (Cynara cardunculus). Short description of Short Rotation Forestry.
Crop residues and industrial residues
Crops for biofuels production
Oleaginouse crops: Sunflower (Helianthus annus), Rapeseed (Brassica napus), False flax (Camelina sativa), Flax (Linum usitatissum), Brassica carinata, Minor crops: Safflower, Soybean, Castor bean, Peanut.
Alcohol crops: a) Sugar crops: Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), Sweet sorghum; b) starch crops: Cereals and others; c) Ligno-cellulosic.
Tropical and sub-tropical Crops for Energy production.
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas), Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), Sugar cane (Shaccarum officinalis).
PRACTICES. Analysis of practical cases. Technical visits to farms and revegetated areas. Data elaboration.
Training courses on the instruments described during the lessons. Guided visits to farms and laboratories. 3 technical seminars conducted by experts (professionists, researchers, public and private servants, etc.).