The course focuses on the mutual relation between crop production and environment and consists of two pillars: a. basic principles of crop production ecology, b. sustainability of crop production. The first pillar consists of basic knowledge on how a-biotic (e.g. radiation, temperature, nutrients) and biotic (e.g. pests, diseases and weed) factors influence the productivity of crops. Here, the distinction in potential, water- and nutrient limited and actual production level is presented and used as a thread. Within the actual production level, the ecology and biology of arable weeds is handled, including crop-weed competition. In the second pillar, sustainability issues of crop production are discussed. A comparison is made between the environmental impact of crop production in conventional and organic farming systems. In addition, the potential of crop diversification, specifically through crop rotation and intercropping, as a means to increase the sustainability of cropping systems, is discussed.
Within the course, a MOOC (massive open on-line course) will be used to teach the principles of crop production ecology. Exercises and practicals will be used to improve insight regarding the consequences of agroecological practices on crop production and the environment. These exercises will be quantitative in nature. In addition, we introduce the basic principles of modelling. Crop modelling will then be used as a tool to integrate the influence of various environmental factors on crop production.
Throughout the course, theoretical concepts and methodological issues are linked and applied in exercises, practicals and case studies. In the final week, a visit is made to an organic farm where we discuss, among others, the importance of crop rotation.