The course will deal in depth with the rice crop, very specific from the point of view of its agroenvironment. The different aspects that will allow students to acquire an exhaustive knowledge of the temperate rice production will be addressed, in particular: the origin of rice, morphology, growth and development of rice plant, the climatic environment effects on rice production, chemical changes in submerged rice soils, systems of rice culture, agronomic techniques (land preparation, water management, fertilizer management, insects, disease, and weed control), rice species and varieties and breeding goals, postproduction technology of rice.
The implications of cultivation techniques on food safety will also be discussed, with particular reference to inorganic contaminants (cadmium and arsenic) in rice grain.
An important space will be dedicated to organic, integrated and sustainable production methods.
In the field of organic farming, specific cultivation methods for rice will be described. Considering crop rotation, soybean will be treated in detail. Rice-Soybean crop rotation is fundamental for organic rice production.
With regard to integrated rice production, alternative methods to the chemical for the control of pest, disease and weed, the increase of nutrient use efficiency and the sustainable use of pesticides will be considered. Precision farming methods will consider variable rate application of nitrogen fertilization in top dressing.
Sustainable rice production will deal at first the climate change issue and the methods to mitigate the GHG emissions especially methane emissions. Increase the carbon content of the paddy soils has positive effect both on environment and soil fertility. Cover crops for green manuring are among the most promising practices in this regard. Finally, conservative agriculture will deal minimum tillage and sod seeding specific for rice.
- Profesor: MARCO ROMANI