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Cropping Systems

Course developers

Course abstract

During the study course students acquire:
● basic law of field cultivation and factors of plant growth, their regulation possibilities, necessary of crop rotation and soil tillage systems;
● the basic principles of plant nutrition and the possibilities to ensure the requirements of plants with nutrients with fertilizers. Can assess the agrochemical properties of the soil and soil fertility, suggest solutions for its optimization;
● the aspects of the growth and development of the most important agricultural crops and their morphological structure, gets an idea of the crop production methods, their suitability for agro-climatic and soil conditions and ecological requirements; obtains an idea of the possibilities for ensuring the quality of production, the regularities of yield and quality formation, and the planning of cultivation of arable and horticultural crops;
● the principles of precision agriculture and horticulture, the application of methods and tools in the production of products and acquisition of data.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the study course, students:
know the principles of precision agriculture and horticulture, available technologies and development trends - seminar. Know the diversity of the most economically important field and horticultural crop species in Latvia, their ecological requirements, provision of plant nutrients, principles of plantation establishment and maintenance, technological solution of harvesting and storage - seminar and test. Understand the basic principles of plant nutrition. Students have knowledge of properties and factors of soil fertility. Knows the most widely used fertilizers. Students know the agrochemical properties of soil, their importance in plant nutrition- lectures.
Students are able to recognize and distinguish crop species in different phases of plant development, to analyze the effect of various factors on crop yield and quality. Students can make decisions independently and find creative solutions in different conditions - practical works and seminars.
Competent to study and compile information independently, to evaluate the suitability of technologies for field crop growing in specific conditions and to assess problem situations in their cultivation, to analyze horticultural production systems. Competent to apply the acquired knowledge in production, introduce and use the techniques of precision agriculture and horticulture, study and analyze the literature, discuss the topics acquired in the study course, which is confirmed by participating in practical work and passing the final test.

Course Content(Calendar)

I Field cultivation (6 h)
1. Introduction to the study course, its structure and expected results
2. Basic law of field cultivation.
3. Factors of plant growth, their regulation.
4. The concept of crop rotation, crop sequence, the reasons for its necessity.
5. Soil tillage operations and tillage technique.
6. Agricultural systems.

II Plant mineral nutrition (6 h)
7. Soil fertility and plant mineral nutrition, soil organic matter, soil reaction and its optimization – 2 h.
8. Mineral and organic fertilizer – 2 h.
9. Fertilizer application. Environmental impact of fertilizer using.
10. Soil fertility research.

III Field crops (6 h)
11. Introduction in crop production, crop classification
12. Seed production
13. Cereals - growth and development , cereal grain quality and it formation – 2 h
14. Seed legumes, oil and fiber crops, root crops, tubercrops, green mass plants, grasslands – 2 h

IV Precision field cultivation (6 h)
15. Precision agriculture, its division and basic principles.
16. Yield maps, their extraction technology, production and data analysis.
17. Sensors, mobile equipment, drones and robots in precision field cultivation – 2 h.
18. Soil sampling. Study of sown conditions. Optimization of technologies according to agrochemical indicators.
19. Application of specialized computer programs in agriculture.

V Horticulture (13 h)
20. Divisions of horticulture, its economic importance. Horticultural plant classification, systematics - 2 h
21. Fruit production.
22. Vegetable production.
23. Floriculture and greenery.
24. Propagation of horticultural plants.
25. Properties of precision horticulture and the necessary resources, the conditions determining its usefulness in a particular farm - 2 h.
26. Sensors for monitoring the ecological conditions of plants.
27. Horticulture in covered areas and precise technologies used in it - 2 h.
28. Plant and crop quality monitoring systems in the garden - 2 h.
29. Postharvest quality control systems.

Final test (1 h)

Practical works (10 h)
1. Visiting lecturer on the most topical issues in the field of precision agriculture - 3 h.
2. Visit to an agricultural enterprise operating in the field of precision agriculture - 3 h.
3. Seminar on the influence of various factors on crop growth and development, crop formation (presentations prepared by students based on specific examples from the scientific literature) - 2 h.
Seminar on problem situation analysis - 2 h.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam. In order to receive an examination grade in the study course, the student must have developed individual works, which have been presented orally in seminars and for which a grade has been obtained, and successfully passed the final examination. The examination grade may be cumulative if all tests with a grade score of at least 7 have been obtained in time.
In the study course it is planned to get an assessment in 3 tests / individual works:
1. Oral report on the review of scientific literature;
2. Oral report on the application of precision farming elements;
3. Final test.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work includes studies of literature, preparation for tests and seminars, independent solutions of certain problems.
Independent works:
1. The student prepares a presentation (research of scientific and professional literature) for the seminar on the topic from the course content, which is agreed with the lecturer. The topic is related to the application of precision agriculture methods in horticulture or crop production. The work is presented to a group of students in a seminar. Approximate presentation time: 30 minutes. The student must be able to answer questions, discuss a given topic and justify their opinion.
2. Independent work - analysis of a problem situation and solutions in the cultivation of a certain field or horticultural crop, including a description of the causes and potential solutions, data required for the solution, their acquisition methods and technologies, used IT and sensor technologies in production process management and optimization. The work is submitted in writing and presented to a group of students in a seminar, presentation up to 10 min.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment of tests and independent work on a 10-point scale. Practical and independent work is evaluated in accordance with the evaluation procedures specified in the practical and individual work assignment.
Upon completion of the course, students obtain an accumulative exam grade or take an exam.

Compulsory reading

1. Adamovičs A. Zālāju ierīkošana un izmantošana. Mācību grāmata; otrs, papildinātais izdevums. Jelgava, 2017. 140 lpp.
2. Agroķīmija . J. Naudiņa red. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1984. 325 lpp. Ir LLU FB ~ 220 eks. Pieejams: https://gramatas.lndb.lv/periodika2-viewer/#issue:640571
3. Alberts M., Kreišmane Dz., Grīnbergs U. u.c. (2013). No: Nākotnes precīzās saimniekošanas tehnoloģijas Latvijas laukiem. Monogrāfija, SIA „Jelgavas tipogrāfija”. 272 lpp.
4. Augkopība . A. Ružas red. Ruža A., Adamovičs A., Bankina B., Bērziņš A. u.c. Jelgava: LLU, 2004. 374 lpp. Ir LLU FB ~120 eks. Pieejams: https://gramatas.lndb.lv/periodika2-viewer/#issue:644045
5. Augļkopība . Red. L. Ikase. Dobeles novads: LV Augļkopības institūts, 2015. 544 lpp.
6. Augsnes ilgtspējīga izmantošana un aizsardzība . O. Nikodemus, A. Kārkliņš, M. Kļaviņš, V.Meleckis. Rīga: LU akadēmiskais apgāds, 2008. 254 lpp.
7. Balodis O., Bankina B., Gaile Z., Grantiņa I. . Ziemas rapsis. Jelgava, : LLU, 2012. 68 lpp.
8. Bankina B., Gaile Z. Ziemāju labības un to slimības. Jelgava, LLU, 2014. 104 lpp.
9. Container nursery production and business management manual J. P. Newman, tech. ed., California: University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2014. 345 p.
10. Gaile Z., Bartuševics J. Kukurūzas audzēšana un izmantošana. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 40 lpp.
11. Havlin J.L. et al. (2013) Soil fertility and fertilizers: an introduction to nutrient management, 8th edition. Pearson, 2013. 516 p.
12. Kārkliņš A. Agroķīmija: Lekciju konspekts. , I un II daļa. Rīga: Ražība, 1996. 382 lp.
13. Kārkliņš A., Līpenīte I. Aprēķinu metodes un normatīvi augsnes iekultivēšanai un mēslošanas līdzekļu lietošanai. Jelgava: LLU, 2019. 200 lpp.
14. Labas lauksaimniecības prakses nosacījumi Latvijā Atbildīgais par izdevumu P. Bušmanis. Jelgava: LLU, 1999. 103 lpp.
15. Labas lauksaimniecības prakses nosacījumi Latvijā. Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija. Rīga: Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija, 2008. 56 lpp
16. Lapiņš D., Kažotnieks J. Laukkopība. Ozolnieki: LLKC, 2002. 247 lpp. .
17. Martin J.D., Leonard W.H., Stamp D.L., Waldren R.P. Principles of Field Crop Production, . 4th Edition. Upper Sadle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2006. 976 p.
18. Modern technology in vegetable production /ed. by P. Hazra. Pitam Pura, New Delhi: New India Publishing Agency, 2011. 413 p.
19. Plant nutrition for food security (2006). A guide nutrient for food security. Ed. Roy R.N. et al. FAO, Rome, 2006. 349 p.
20. Reeder R. Conservation Tillage Systems and Management. Second edition. Ames, Iowa: MidWest Plan Service owa: University, 2000. 270 p.
21. Precision horticulture:(towards value addition and marketing). / S.K. Acharya [et al.]. Udaipur: Agrotech Publishing Academy, 2012. , 248 p.
22. Srinivasan A. Handbook of Precision Agriculture: Principles and Applications. Bringhamton, NY: Food Products Press, 2006. 683 p.
23. Vilde A., Ruciņš Ā., Viesturs D. Globālās pozicionēšanas tehnoloģijas lauksaimniecībā. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 47 lpp.
24. Srinivasan A. Handbook of Precision Agriculture Principles and Applications. A. Srinivasan, editor.: Bringhamton, NY: Food Products Press, 2006. 683 p.

Further reading

1. Fageri N.K., Baligar V.C., Jones C.A. . Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Field Crops. Third Edition. USA: CRC Press, 2010. p. 551 p.
2. Fageria N.K. The Role of Plant Roots in Crop Production USA. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, 2013. p. 442 p.
3. Fertilizer technology and soil fertility. Ed. by V. Munn. New York: Laser and Keller, 2018. 206 p.
4. Gough B. An encyclopedia of small fruit. Binghamton, N.Y.: Haworth Food & Agricultural Products Press, 2007. 161 p. Pieejams LLU tīklā ar LLU IS lietotājkonta parolēm e-grāmatu datubāzē Taylor & Francis CRC Press e-grāmatas. Pieejams: https://doi-org.ezproxy.llu.lv/10.1201/9781420092769 https://www-taylorfrancis-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/books/mono/10.1201/9781420092769/encyclopedia-small-fruit-robert-gough?context=ubx&refId=2ea65174-27e5-47d6-acd3-1c2f1296d411
5. Grasslands of the World: Diversity, Management and Conservation Hardcover – Import. Ed. by V.ictor R. Squires, J.ürgen Dengler, L.imin Hua, H.aiying Feng. CRC Press, 2017. 426 p. Pieejams LLU tīklā ar LLU IS lietotājkonta parolēm e-grāmatu datubāzē Taylor & Francis CRC Press e-grāmatas. Pieejams: https://doi-org.ezproxy.llu.lv/10.1201/9781315156125
6. Hartmann and Kester’s Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices . F.red T. Davies, Jr., R.obert L. Geneve, and S.andra B. Wilson., 9th Edition. , New York: Pearson Education, Inc., New York, 2017. 1004 p.
7. Ivanovs S., Stramkale V. Linu audzēšanas un novākšanas tehnoloģija. Rīga: AS Poligrāfists, 2001. 191 lpp.
8. Kārkliņš A. Zeme, augsne, mēslojums: Terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 477 lpp.
9. Kunkulberga D., Ruža A. Kviešu un rudzu graudu uzturvērtība un izmantošana maizes ražošanā. Jelgava: LLU, 2009. 55 lpp.
10. Lapiņš D., Kažotnieks J. Augsnes apstrāde. Ozolnieki: LLKC, 1998. 97 lpp.
11. Lapiņš D., Lejiņa B. (1997). Augsekas. Ozolnieki: LLKC, 1997. 80 lpp. Ir LLU FB 45 eks.
12. Organisko mēslu izkliedētāji . Tamm K., Vettik R., Viil P., Võsa T., Kažotnieks J. Biedrība Zemnieku saeima, 2017. 32 lpp.
13. Principles of Modern Fruit Science (2019). Sansavini S., Costa G., Gucci R., Inglese P., Ramina A., Xiloyannis C., Desjardins Y., (eds.). Leuven, Belgium: ISHS, 2019. 421 p.
14. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Garden Design. Editor-in-Chief; C.hris Young . Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley, 2009. 360 p.
15. Rosa L. A., Alvarez-Parrilla E., González-Aguilar G. A. Postharvest: The physiology and handling of fruit, vegetables and ornamentals, 5th edition by R.Wills, 2017. 252 p.
16. Stafford J. V. . Precision agriculture ’19. Conference Proceedings. 2019. 1030 p.
17. Temperate and Subtropical Fruit Production. Edited by D.I. Jackson [un vēl 3 redaktori]. Third edition. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK; Cambridge, MA: CABI, 2011. 327 p.
18. Valero, D., Serrano M. Postharvest biology and technology for preserving fruit quality. Boca Raton, Fla.: Taylor & Francis Group, 2010. 287 p. Pieejams LLU tīklā ar LLU IS lietotājkonta parolēm e-grāmatu datubāzē Taylor & Francis CRC Press e-grāmatas. https://doi-org.ezproxy.llu.lv/10.1201/9781439802670

Periodicals and other sources

Žurnāli un zinātnisko rakstu krājumi:
1. Rural Sustainability Research (LLU Raksti) : scientific journal. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Jelgava: Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Warsaw: De Gruyter Open, 2015- ISSN 2256-0939
Agronomy Research. Tartu: Estonian Agricultural University, 2003- ISSN 1406-894X
Žemdirbyste = Agriculture. Lietuvos žemdirbystes instituto mokslo darbai. ISSN 1392-0707
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Sec. B Soil and Plant Science. Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 1992- No 2006.g. LLU bibliotēkā pieejams tikai elektroniski EBSCO datu bāzē. ISSN 0906-4710.
LF konferenču Rakstu krājumi – Līdzsvarota lauksaimniecība, Ražas svētki Vecaucē
Journal of Tree Fruit Production. ISSN 1540-8590
Acta Horticulturae, ISSN: 0567-7572 http://www.actahort.org/
Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences: http://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/prolas/prolas-overview.xml?tab_body=overview un konkrēti:
2017. gada 71. sējums Nr. 3: https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/prolas/71/3/prolas.71.issue-3.xml
2013. gada 67. sējums Nr.2: https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/prolas/67/2/prolas.67.issue-2.xml
Zinātniski praktisko konferenču “Līdzsvarota Lauksaimniecība” rakstu krājumi: http://www.lf.llu.lv/lv/lidzsvarota-lauksaimnieciba
“Profesionālā Dārzkopība” - e-žurnāls: http://fruittechcentre.eu/lv/profesionala-darzkopiba
Fruit Quarterly - e-žurnāls: http://nyshs.org/fruit-quarterly/past-issues/
Plant Nursery Management: Principles and Practices. (2014) Ratha Krishnan, Rajwant K. Kalia, J.C. Tewari, M.M. Roy. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 40 p.
http://www.cazri.res.in/publications/PRathaKrishnan.pdf

Notes

For the 2nd year students of the specialization in agriculture in the 3rd semester of the academic master's study program “Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing” of the Faculty of Environmental and Civil Engineering in full-time studies