Unit AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY
- Course
- Agricultural and environmental sciences
- Study-unit Code
- 80005206
- Curriculum
- Biotecnologie
- Teacher
- Gianluigi Cardinali
- Teachers
-
- Gianluigi Cardinali
- Hours
- 54 ore - Gianluigi Cardinali
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline della produzione vegetale
- Sector
- AGR/16
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- Classical technical microbiology and hints of molecular microbiology. Fundamentals of general microbiology at the levels of cytology, physiology, growth dynamics, and hints of genetic organization. Notes on soil microbiology and geochemical cycles, applications of microbiology in industrial and environmental fields. In-depth study of agricultural microbiology, PGP use, microbiota resilience, and soil regeneration.
- Reference texts
- B. Biavati, C. Sorlini. Agricultural Microbiology, Ed. Ambrosiana (Zanichelli), Milan.
Supplementary handouts distributed during the course and available on the course website at Unistudium, along with slides and all other necessary materials. - Educational objectives
- Learning the fundamental concepts of technical and general microbiology. Understanding quantitative microbiology. Understanding the principles of microbial ecology and geochemical cycles. Understanding geochemical cycles and microorganism-soil-plant relationships. Understanding and acquiring critical thinking skills related to the use of microorganisms in agriculture and the environment.
- Prerequisites
- Chemistry
- Teaching methods
- Lectures, theoretical and practical drills.
- Other information
- Contact the teacher for specific cases. Typically, at the beginning of the course, students are invited to enroll in Unistudium, as a platform where teaching materials are uploaded and also as a privileged channel of communication for the teacher. Regarding the reception, the teacher receives by appointment to be agreed upon in accordance with other institutional commitments. DSA students who wish to take advantage of their certification for the purpose of completing the exam form must notify the DSA manager for the DS3A Department, who will provide all specific information to the teacher
- Learning verification modality
- Written exam with multiple-choice questions and exercises on counting and growth. Oral exam typically consists of three questions on technical microbiology, general microbiology, and applied microbiology.
Grading grid for the oral exam. Relevance of the answer to the question, articulation and completeness of the answer, command of language, and ability to connect with topics from the course and previous courses.
For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities, visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa - Extended program
- A. Technical Microbiology Sampling, isolation, culture media, sterilization, total and culture microbial quantification.
B. General Microbiology A brief history of microbiology. Fundamental stages of microbial evolution. General phylogenetic framework. The structure and cellular organization of microorganisms. The prokaryotic cell. The eukaryotic microbial cell. Overview of the genetic structures of microorganisms. Microbial metabolism. Energy generation and transfer in biological systems. Anaerobic fermentation. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Energy production from the oxidation of inorganic sources. Bacterial photosynthesis. Autotrophic carbon dioxide fixation. Microbial growth. Types of growth curves. Exponential, arithmetic, and diauxic growth. Growth bioassays. Macromolecular development and synthesis.
C. Applied and Agricultural Microbiology Microbial ecology and biodiversity.The microorganism in relation to its environment. Location and distribution of microorganisms in various natural substrates. Biological diversity and microorganisms. Physiological diversity and adaptation. Soil microbiology. Constituent microflora and their localization. Carbon cycle (metabolism of carbohydrates, aromatic substances, and hydrophobic constituents). Nitrogen cycle (non-symbiotic fixation of molecular nitrogen, ammonization, nitrification, and biological denitrification). PGPs, EU Regulation 1009/2019, their use, limitations, and potential. The use of agricultural waste, composting, and other systems for reusing and valorizing biomass. - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- Responsible consumption and production
take action for the climate