EDX course

Question 1

2. Explain the differences between potential, limited and actual production. Figure production ecology (synopsis) (-> potential, limited, actual, available)

Question 2

1. What are the 4 pillars of the food system

Answer 2

(= Exists when all people at all times have a physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life)
Availability (supply side of food): based on growing conditions, types of crops and animals, availability to resources to grow or buy food)
Access: depends on allocation and affordability, related to logistics, policies, incomes, markets, and prices
Utilization: nutritional value, dietary patterns, linked to food safety, diversity of diets
Sustainable development: enveloping dimension, all measures that support sound socio-economic environment over time, sustains ecosystems services and nutrition for future

Question 3

3. Name influencing factors on the potential production (-> radiation, T, CO2 conc., altitude, clouds, latitude…

Question 4

4. What means the “harvest index”. (Define). How did breeding progress result in higher harvest index for wheat. (-> shortening stem ->…) Describe the differences in harvest index for wheat, potatoes and maize under cropping conditions in the Netherlands.

Question 5

5 List three strategies of the plant help to control or balance the water use or adjustment to demand. (- stomata, long hair, waxlaysers, catch dew, suction power, resistances)

Question 6

6. How does the N demand change during growing season?

Question 7

7. Describe the law of the minimum (“Liebigs minimum”) and give an example.

Answer 7

In simpler terms, the availability of essential nutrients or resources is crucial for the growth of organisms, and the lack of even one critical resource can limit their growth, regardless of the abundance of other resources.

An example of the Law of the Minimum can be illustrated in agriculture:

Let’s consider a field of crops that require three essential nutrients for growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Suppose that the soil has an ample supply of nitrogen and phosphorus but is deficient in potassium. According to Liebig’s Law of the Minimum, the growth of the crops will be limited by the availability of potassium, even though there is an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. In this case, adding more nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers will not significantly improve crop yield because the growth is constrained by the limited availability of potassium.

Question 8

Describe the differences between single and split application of N fertilizer.

Question 9

9. Why does crop rotation with legumes make sense? What is the principle? OR Which positive effects are related to an improved crop rotation.?

Question 10

10. List four examples for weed control: preventive weed control, curative weed control, boost competition crops, the effect of seeding rate, the advantage of fast initial growth

Question 11

11. Explain in short words one strategy for pests and weed control of your choice.(-> crop rotation sanitation, intercropping, biological control, spraying, integrated pest management IPM