Protected cultivation

The course is aimed at training specialists capable to analyse problems and evaluate possible options to get production from crops produced under modified micro-climatic conditions. These figures will be able to put into practice the skills acquired with the purpose of planning and management of out of season production processes through the use of appropriate protective equipment and suitable production techniques

- The protected cultivation in Italy and in the world . general and historical figures, diffusion and economic importance. - Presupposition and objectives of protected cultivations . biological: the needs of the crops; . environmental: the climate and its variations; . agronomic: quantity and quality of production, stability of yields.

- The microclimate under protected cultivation and its effects on crop response.

- Classification, agronomic meaning and management of mean, techniques and structures of protection.

- Choice of species and cultivars.

- Production scheduling.

- The most significant aspects of the agronomic technique under protected environment: . soil preparation and interventions to change its characteristics; . plant pruning and training; . plant growth regulators; . growing media; . soilless cultivation.

- Specific aspects on the greenhouse cultivation of tomato, melon, chrysanthemum, poinsettia.

1 - Slides presented and discussed during lectires 2 - A.A.V.V. Good agricultural practices for greenhouse vegetable crops. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 217. 2013.