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
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.)
root and tuber crops (Jerusalem artichoke, sweet potatoes, aroid root crops, etc.)
fiber crops (flax, hemp, etc.)
‘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.
Learning and teaching methods
Llessons with multimedia support and seminars, exercises which require individual work and group discussion, especially practical field work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
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
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.
• Buchgraber, Fruhwirt, Koppl und Krautzer. 1997: Produkcions – Nicshen im Pflanzenbau. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz.
• Williams, J. T. 1995: Development of underutilized cereals and pseudocereales. Chapman & Hall. London, Glasgow, Weinheim, New York, Tokyo, Melbourne, Madras.
• Hernandez Bermejo, E. J. and Leon, J. (editors). 1994: Neglected Crops. FAO.
• Znanstvena periodika.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • exercises and practical work 30 %
• presentation of seminar 20 %
• written and oral exam 50 %
