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CODE 107003
ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR BIO/03
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 1° Semester
TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

OVERVIEW

Food and agriculture are inextricably linked: although there are about 6000 types of plants grown for food, two thirds of agricultural production for food is based on only 9 plants. Agriculture is not a job for old people and young people are needed for sustainable agriculture that combines tradition and innovation. This is the basis of the module that begins by illustrating the international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the historical path of the domestication of plants and continues by analysing the Italian legislation on agrobiodiversity and the standard methods of characterization of varieties for the protection of genetic resources. The course includes a review of ancient varieties of food interest, with particular reference to the regional heritage and is completed with some hints on bio-fortification techniques and systems to improve the nutritional quality of plants.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module of Enhancement of plants of food interest aims to provide students with the basic knowledge from a regulatory and technical point of view to set up concrete paths for the enhancement of phytogenetic resources, relating both to ancient or endangered varieties and to the improvement of quality. nutritional, through traditional and innovative techniques. The theoretical part will be supported by real cases and practical examples.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the module, the attendance to the educational activities and the individual study will allow the student to:

1 - illustrate, using appropriate terminology, the process of domestication of plants that affected the birth and development of agriculture

2 - illustrate, using appropriate terminology, the general and national framework, with particular regard to the international treaty on plant genetic resources, the national plan on biodiversity of agricultural interest, Law 194/2015 for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity of agricultural interest and food.

3 - describe the main methods for the characterization of plant varieties of food interest

4 - illustrate some examples of the main Italian ancient varieties (with particular attention to the regional ones that have been the subject of enhancement programs)

5 - describe the bases of the different techniques for the biofortification of plants of food interest, with reference to concrete examples.

 

After passing the module, the student will be able to:

a) set up and develop a project for the characterization, conservation and enhancement of a local genetic resource of food and agricultural interest within the scope of Law 194/2015

b) interact with other technicians in the context of collaborations for the development of bio-fortification processes

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of plant biology

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of lectures, discussions on real cases and educational visits to production sites. Attendance is strongly recommended. Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The module program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

1) principles and processes of domestication of plants; centres of origin;

2) international treaty (FAO), ratified in Italy by Law no. 101/2004 on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (definitions, conservation, research, collection, characterization, evaluation and documentation, sustainable use of plant genetic resources; farmers' rights, multilateral system of access and sharing of resource advantages; global action plan; application of the treaty);

3) Italian legislation relating to agro-biodiversity and the protection of genetic resources of agricultural interest, with regard to the National Plan on biodiversity of agricultural interest and Law 194/2015 (national registry, national portal, national network, conservation, plan and guidelines, financial resources);

4) problem of genetic erosion and elements to evaluate the risk;

5) perspectives for ex situ and in situ conservation of domesticated plants (on farm conservation, germplasm banks and conservation centers; seed production; Ministerial Decree 14/04/1997; Ministerial Decree no. 26250 of 12/11/2009; Legislative Decree no. 150 of 2/09/2007; Legislative Decree no. 214 of 19/09/2009);

6) Identification of local genetic resources at risk of extinction and standard methods for their characterization (register, repertories, cards and passports), conservation and enhancement;

7) case studies of enhancement and protection of phyto-genetic resources of food interest in Italy

8) examples of the main ancient varieties of plants of food interest in Italy, with particular regard to Liguria (cereals, lilies, asparagus, saffron, citrus fruits, stone fruits, pome fruits, brassicas, artichokes, potatoes, legumes, hazelnuts, figs, vines , basil, etc.)

9) bio-fortification for the improvement of nutritional qualities (genetic engineering techniques, conventional systems of genetic improvement, agronomic techniques).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the lessons and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons together with other bibliographic material in pdf format.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MAURO MARIOTTI (President)

LAURA CORNARA

ENRICA ROCCOTIELLO (President Substitute)

SIMONE DI PIAZZA (Substitute)

MIRCA ZOTTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/. Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

 

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The oral exam includes questions from the teacher on the topics covered in the lessons and the presentation and discussion of a case study chosen by the student.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam includes questions from the teacher on the topics covered in the lessons and the presentation and discussion of a case study chosen by the student.

The preparation of the short presentation that reports a case study (relating to the enhancement of a phytogenetic resource or to bio-fortification aimed at improving nutritional qualities) and its presentation and discussion by the student will also be considered to evaluate the interpretative capacity of the student himself. with respect to the scientific literature relating to the subject.

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals
Zero hunger
Zero hunger
Good health and well being
Good health and well being
Responbile consumption and production
Responbile consumption and production
Life on land
Life on land