Postgraduate Program
Agronomy-Agriculture
The Postgraduate Program in Agronomy-Agriculture at Unesp - FCA - Botucatu Campus offers a solid and specialized education in the agricultural field. With a qualified faculty and advanced laboratories, we provide students with an excellent learning experience.
Research Areas
Seed and Agricultural Product Production, Technology, and Storage
Description: Studies on the physiology, development, and quality of seeds for major crops; Effects of crop management on seed production and quality; Seed technology; Seed analysis; Seed processing and storage. Faculty Members: Prof. Dr. Edvaldo Aparecido Amaral da Silva; Prof. Dr. Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori.
Modeling and Applied Statistics in Agronomy
Utilization of mathematical and statistical models to analyze and predict the behavior of agricultural systems. Application of modeling techniques to optimize resource utilization and maximize agricultural production.
Genetic Improvement of Key Crops
Description: Adaptation of exotic cultivars and development of new cultivars. Faculty Members: Prof. Dr. Evandro Vagner Tambarussi; Prof. Dr. Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori; Prof. Dr. Maria Paula Barion Alves Nunes; Prof. Dr. Maurício Dutra Zanotto.
Eco-physiology and Management of Key Crops in Production Systems
Description: Studies on production physiology; Responses of key crops and others to biotic, abiotic agents, and agricultural practices, aiming for sustainability and reduced environmental impact. Faculty Members: Prof. Dr. Adalton Mazetti Fernandes; Prof. Dr. Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol; Prof. Dr. Ciro Antonio Rosolem; Prof. Dr. Juliano Carlos Calonego; Prof. Dr. Rogério Peres Soratto; Prof. Dr. Marcelo de Almeida Silva; Prof. Dr. Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori.
Our team of professors is highly qualified and has extensive experience in the field of agriculture. They are renowned professionals with a broad theoretical and practical knowledge, ready to guide and assist students in their research and studies.
Soil-Water-Plant Relationships
Description: Plant development in relation to the physical, chemical, water, and biological conditions of the soil; Impact of management on root development, nutrient absorption, and productivity; Soil fertility and its significance for plant nutrition. Faculty Members: Prof. Dr. Adalton Mazetti Fernandes; Prof. Dr. Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol; Prof. Dr. Ciro Antonio Rosolem; Prof. Dr. Dirceu Maximino Fernandes; Prof. Dr. Edivaldo Domingues Velini.
Qualified Faculty Members
Weed Science
Description: Biology and control of weeds; Application technology; Competition and damage to major crops. Faculty Members: Prof. Dr. Caio Antonio Carbonari; Prof. Dr. Carlos Gilberto Raetano; Prof. Dr. Edivaldo Domingues Velini.
Advanced Laboratories
We have laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology for conducting analyses and experiments in the field of agriculture. Our laboratories provide high-quality infrastructure for the development of advanced research and studies.
The Postgraduate Program in Agronomy - Agriculture at FCA-UNESP was authorized to operate according to UNESP Resolution No. 27, dated April 3, 1987, published in the Official Gazette of the State of São Paulo on April 4, 1987. Its activities started in March 1988, offering master's and doctoral degrees. The program has a grade five concept from CAPES and its publications have been highlighted in journals with high impact factors, being recognized globally through citations.
During its 35 years of operation until July 2023, the program awarded 344 master's and 346 doctoral degrees, totaling 690 completed works. Currently, the program has 16 permanent advisors, the majority of whom are CNPq productivity scholarship holders. The PPGA-Agriculture attracts students from different Brazilian regions and also from other countries, although the majority come from the Southeast region.
The program's development can be divided into three phases:
In the first phase, during the first 10 years, the program focused on establishing itself as an autonomous and high-quality program in training human resources in the field of Agricultural Sciences.
Subsequently, in the second phase, the program aimed at specialization and consolidation of knowledge in the development of no-tillage production systems in regions with dry winters. During this period, the program was recognized as a Center of Excellence and received funding from the PRONEX program of FINEP, in addition to projects funded by FAPESP.
More recently, in the third phase, starting from the beginning of the 21st century, the program continued to study and develop production systems, including the Integrated Crop-Livestock System and later the Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration and precision agriculture. In this phase, the sustainability of agricultural systems, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions have been addressed in research projects. Furthermore, the program internationalized itself with the approval of several thematic projects funded by FAPESP and international agencies, in collaboration with foreign institutions, resulting in an increase in scientific output in international journals. The number of dual doctorates (Diploma-Co-tutelle) and doctoral programs abroad with scholarships from CAPES or FAPESP also increased in this phase. Recently, three CAPES-Print projects were approved by program faculty, becoming a funding modality for international collaborations of PPGA-Agriculture.
The program's main focus is on training human resources and generating knowledge with the competence for graduates to hold prominent positions in institutions in Brazil and abroad, with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Over the years of the program's operation, in addition to publications and human resource training, the impacts can be perceived in the development of improved cultivars and patent applications filed with INPI. Moreover, the program has been promoting and encouraging its alumni to become entrepreneurs, creating companies and achieving success in their entrepreneurial careers.