INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Specific Foundation

Knowledge Deepening / Consolidation

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: • the certified product production systems and the reasons for implementing certified production systems and the conditions and requirements for successful implementation and the benefits from the implementation. • the development of standards applied for certification of organic farming systems. • the development of Agro 2.1, Agro 2.2 and GLOBALG.A.P standards applied for certification of integrated management systems in plant production. • the methods, means and measures of water resources management. Irrigation water quality and environmental impacts from its improper use. Irrigation methods and water utilization by plants. • integrated plant nutrition management. • the methods, means and measures of managing enemies (insects, fungi and weeds) of crops in integrated production. Principles of correct application of pesticides

Certified production systems (definitions of concepts: environment, natural resources, agricultural inputs, agriculture-farming, environmental indicators, production system, cropping systems, protocol for certified production systems, quality, safety, labeling, traceability, ISO, HACCP, conventional agriculture, integrated farming, organic farming, sustainable farming, contract farming). Reasons for applying certified production systems. Prerequisites and requirements for successful implementation. Benefits from the application of certified production systems. Implementing protocols for the certification of organic farming systems. Implementing the protocols Agro 2.1, Agro 2.2, and GLOBALG.A.P. for certification of integrated crop management systems. Precision Agriculture applied to Integrated Production Systems. Integrated plant nutrition management. Fertilization based on crop nutrient requirements, nutrient losses, soil type, fertilizer type and agricultural practices. Proper application of fertilizers for more efficient utilization of nutrients. By plants. Methods, means and measures of soil management and preservation of soil organic matter. Decision making systems for the application of fertilizers in integrated production systems. Methods, instruments and measures for water resources management. Quality of irrigation water and environmental effects from its improper use. Irrigation methods and utilization of water by plants. Methods, means and measures for pest management (insects, fungi and weeds) of crops in integrated production systems. Principles of proper application of pesticides. Criteria for selecting propagation material (varieties, hybrids) and crop management in the integrated production systems. Criteria for selecting crop rotation systems, cover crops, green manure plants and soil treatment methods for the successful implementation of integrated production systems. Effects of climate change (increase in carbon dioxide, rese of temperature) and extreme weather events (drought and heat) on integrated crop production system. Measures and means to mitigate the impact of climate change (carbon dioxide increase, temperature rise) and extreme weather events (drought and heat) on agriculture, as well as adaptation and response measures to impacts. Summary-conclusions on certified production systems. Presentation of cutting edge topics from graduate students.

Integrated farming, Organic farming, Sustainable farming, Contract farming

01-09-2024