Morphology and physiology of woody fruit species. Roots and canopy functions. Plant growth control, floral biology, ripening, pruning, and harvest. Monographic study of the main fruit tree species.
- Arboricoltura Generale di E. Baldini. Edizioni CLUEB Bologna, 1986 e successive.
- Trattato di frutticoltura speciale. REDA, Roma, 1991.
- Handouts of the course
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: Fundamentals of plant morphology and physiology; Basis of agronomic techniques applied to woody fruit species. Information about the main fruit tree species.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): acquire how the woody plant (fruit tree species) grow, produce and its responses to external stimuli.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): planning a specialized orchard; planning a rational orchard management; identification of the main fruit tree species; choice of cultivars and rootstocks.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Students are expected to be familiar with the principles of plant biology and agronomy
Courses recommmended:
- Plant Biology
- Agronomy
Teaching Methods
Credits: 9
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 144
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 50
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 0
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 27
Seminars (hours): 0
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 4
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: Intermediate tests, final oral examination
Course program
Canopy and root morphology and physiology. Bud dormancy, sprouting and shoot elongation; growth control mechanisms. Flower bud induction and morphological differentiation
Flowering, pollination, fecundation. Morphological, cytological and genetic sterility. Flower drop, fruit set and fruit drop. Fruit and seed growth. Parthenocarpy, Ripening and maturation indexes. Alternate bearing. Orchard design: soil management and irrigation. Pruning: Classification and techniques. Training systems: choice and classification.
Harvest: manual, mechanical and integrated. Protection from late frost.
Description of the main fruit tree species (almond, apricot, cherry, peach, plum; apple, pear, quince; olive, grape) and of some neglected fruit tree species (e.g. fig, pomegranate, persimmon, kiwifruit): origin, diffusion, morphology and physiology, genetic resources, breeding and cultivars, propagation and orchard management