| source University of Aarhus (3) |
level Graduate course. (X) |
department Agrobiology (3) |
Cropping systems vary with respect to crops, soil tillage and fertilisation and they affect the environment. This course deals with agricultural cropping systems in conventional or organic production systems with or without animal husbandry. During the course there will be overview lectures and other activities of a general character. The course includes the preparation of an extensive report about a cropping system or an interdisciplinary subject. During the preparation of the report there will be a mid-term presentation of the report for the other students who act as critics.
Score: 12.495248 Details | Listing | Web page
Score: 12.495248 Details | Listing | Web page
The course deals with soil ecology in a broad sense. The starting point of the course is a basic description of the different physical, chemical and biological components of the soil ecosystem and their interrelation as an auto-regulated system. The influence of soil structure and texture on content and transport of air, water and nutrients and on biological processes in the soil will be included in the course. Soil biota composition of both microorganisms and meso- and macrofauna, including their biology, function and diversity will also be included. The influence of roots on soil fertility will be examined in relation to soil structure, root-zone microbiology, nutrient dynamics and biomass production in the soil ecosystem. Decomposition processes will be examined in relation to trophic levels and nutrient cycling, with further focus on soil nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics. Classical terms describing ecosystem stability will be examined with special reference to the soil ecosystem, which will be concretised by analysing soil reactions to agricultural practices such as use of heavy vehicles, tillage, crop rotation, pesticides and fertilisers. Possibilities and problems by using indicators of soil fertility will be discussed. Means to promote soil fertility will be discussed, e.g. recycling organic waste to the growth layer.
Score: 12.495248 Details | Listing | Web page