Objectives and competences
The aim of this course is to acquaint students with the indispensable information on the most important underutilized (alternative, forgotten, neglected, new) crops grown in organic farming systems - that is, without synthetic chemicals, industrial compost and genetically modified organisms. The key objective is to be aware of the new possibilities for organic farming (new plants, new techniques and new ways of use) and to encourage future research.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Perspectives on utilization of alternative crops, vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants.
alternative cereals (spelt wheat, einkorn, emmer, kamut, triticale, etc.)
Pseudocereals (buckwheat, quinoa, millet, finger millet, fonio, barnyard grass, litttle milllet, koda millet, pearl milllet, intermediate grass, etc.)
Alternative crops for oil production (pumpkins, falsh flax, white mustard, etc.)
Alternative grain legumes (chickpea, lentils, lupins, guar…).
Root and tuber crops (Jerusalem artichoke, sweet potatoes, aroid root crops, etc.)
Fiber crops (flax, hemp, etc.).
Perennial analogues of field crops, vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants (eg. Perennial wheat).
‘Alternative products’ from organically grown industrial crops (soybean, hemp, sunflower, canolla, etc.)
Research methodology for alternative crops
analysis of intercropping, varietal and species
mixtures, undersowing systems, etc.
Ontology and production of alternative plants in field crop production and horticulture.
Learning and teaching methods
Lessons with multimedia support and seminars, exercises which require individual work and group discussion, especially practical field work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to distinguish botanical characteristics, origin, distribution and genetic sources of alternative crops. They will be able to choose suitable traditional and new production systems and the possibility of using alternative crops (especially traditional cuisine, nutritional and health value), and decide on the prospects of production.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Transferable / Key Skills and other attributes:
find solutions and use knowledge to transfer to practice from idea, production, processing and us
Readings
• Ali, A.; Bhattacharjee, B. Nutrition security, constraints, and agro-diversification strategies of neglected and underutilized crops to fight global hidden hunger. Front. Nutr. 2023, 10, 1144439.
• RP Mauro, C Nicoletto, L Sabatino - Horticulturae, 2022, Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species in Horticultural and Ornamental Systems: Perspectives for Biodiversity, Nutraceuticals and Agricultural Sustainability, Horticulturae 2022, 8(5), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050356
• Bavec F., 2015: Organic production of maize and cereals, Chap. 10, Intech 2015 • Bavec F., Bavec M., 2015: Underutilized crops and intercrops in crop rotation as a factors for increasing biodiversity on the fields,Chap. 23, Intech 2015.
• Bavec, F., Bavec, M. 2006: Organic Production and Use of Alternative Crops. (Pogodba z poznano založniško hišo v ZDA; 2006).
• Bavec, F. 2000: Nekatere zapostavljene in/ali nove poljščine (Some of disregarded and /or new field crops), UM FK.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • Written exam
• Performance
• Seminar paper
