CSA-32806 Functional Diversity for Sustainable Crop Production

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

HPC-21306 Crop Ecology is advised.

Continuation courses:

Msc. Thesis.

Contents:

Diversity in species, life forms and trophic levels has been shown to contribute to the functioning of both natural and agricultural systems, in terms of e.g. productivity, disease resistance and climate resilience. In light of the increasing concerns about synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and the ensuing restrictions on their use, these diversity effects may provide an important complimentary means to sustainably increase crop production. Yet, the mechanisms that drive the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning and how such mechanisms can be utilized in agricultural systems remains poorly understood. This course focusses on this knowledge gap. The first part deals with understanding and analysing the mechanisms that drive relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning in natural systems. The second part addresses how this knowledge can be utilized in agricultural systems taking two examples: intercropping (i.e. growing two or more crop species together), and integrated weed management (weed control through a combination of methods extending beyond herbicide use). Finally the functioning of- and interaction between different ecosystems at the landscape level will be touched upon.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand key concepts in community ecology, ecological and physiological aspects of plant-plant interactions and population dynamics;
- conduct and interpret simple greenhouse experiments in the context of functional diversity in crops;
- integrate knowledge using novel plant growth modelling techniques, interpret model output, and address questions on functional diversity in crops by combining model output and experimental data;
- link research on natural and agricultural systems and thus bridge the gap between environmental and production oriented research;
- appreciate how to scale from local crop ecosystem processes to temporal and spatially dynamic processes acting at the landscape level.

Activities:

- lectures;
- modelling labs;
- greenhouse experiments.

Examination:

Written exam.

Literature:

A detailed study guide and literature will be provided at the start of the course.