Content (Syllabus outline)
Field crop production as a basis to satisfy human needs in accordance with sustainable concept of land use. Multifunction of production (food, fodder, industrial raw materials, renewable energy sources, appearance of the landscape). Definition of the crop. Definition of conventional, integrated and organic crop production. Soil as a growing site for agricultural plants: soil treatment in regard to land characteristics. Managing organic matter and nutrient content. Strengths and weaknesses of different soil treatment systems (conventional, conservation treatment, direct sowing).
Interaction of crops with the environment in connection to the climate and weather. Production procedures in connection to soil properties and plant requirements for growth with examples.
Seed production: normative framework for the production of certified seed (ISTA control methods) in internal (SLO, EU) and external trade. Introduction of new varieties, economically relevant characteristics with examples, importance of classifications (EU and OSL Common catalogue). Crop design (quantity of seed, time of sowing), treatment of the crop (fertilizing, pest control) and harvest (time and method) considering the technological stage with examples. Morphological specific characteristics of crops, growth and development according to BBCH with examples. Weeds (harmfulness, benefits), replication and spread) economic damage threshold and weed control.
History and importance of crop rotation, basic rules of rotating crops, types of crop rotations, composition (Norfolk, old Slovene, Rhyne), hop fields in rotation and introduction of other permanent crops into the crop rotation. Critical evaluation of different production systems (crop rotation, monoculture).
Monographic review of field crops in the world and in Slovenia: agronomy and botanic classification, distribution. Morphological characteristics and basic production procedures. Yield, biochemical composition and storage. Critical assessment of the present developmental strategy of the field crop production in Slovenia, EU and in the world.
Prerequisites
a) Prerequisites for the inclusion in the work:
Enrolment in the corresponding year of study programme.
b) Prerequisites for performing study obligations:
For the final exam the student must sucessfuly pass the colloquium.