Course: Conservation Agriculture (3401-451)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Roland Gerhards (verantwortlich)
• Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Claupein (verantwortlich)
• Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Köller (verantwortlich)
• Prof. Dr. Hans Griepentrog (begleitend)

Type of Course:

lecture with e-learning

In-Class Hours Per Week:

4

Contents:

1. Introduction:
Definition and objectives of conservation agriculture, i.e. What should be conserved in agricultural areas and why?, Overview and illustration of conservation agriculture using examples of modern and traditional systems all over the world.
2. Conservation soil tillage:
Definition: Mulch till, ridge-till, strip-till, no-till, Machinery: design and function, Improvement of soil properties and effects on non-favourable soil properties and biodiversity, Energy , labour and costs
3. Effects of tillage on soil and plant in conservation agriculture:
Possible reduction of soil erosion and run-off, Enhancement of biological soil activity, e.g. earthworms, Water and nutrient availability and resource use efficiency by the crop, Soil tillage and weed development
4. Crop rotation and plant nutrition in conservation agriculture:
Methodical differences with conventional farming systems, Impact on nutrient dynamics and crop performance, Chemical input requirements compared to conventional systems, Further conservation benefits
5. Conservation agriculture farming practises and systems:
Mixed cropping systems: intercropping, agroforestry, permaculture benefits and disadvantages, Design and management aspects for optimisation of yields and conservation of the system (environment), Effect on CO2 emission and sequestration
6. Examples of conservation agriculture farming systems:
Traditional systems in Europe, Modern conservation systems in USA, Brazil and Canada, Development of conservation agriculture in Germany, Effective conservation systems depending on agro-climatic zones, soil condition, socio-economic context, farmers skill and interests
7. Landscape management and bio-energy in conservation agriculture:
Biodiversity, Conservation of cultural and semi-natural landscapes, Energy trees and crops with conservation and landscape value, Overview of multifunctional land-use options
8. Weed control and pest management in conservation agriculture:
Biology of selected weed species and their distribution methods, No-tillage and herbicide resistant crops, Controlling weeds by managing their environment and germination pattern, Mechanical versus chemical weed control, Eco-toxicology of pesticides, Biological control of pests and weeds
9. Precision farming in conservation agriculture:
Spatial and temporal distribution pattern, Concept of site specific management, Technologies of precision agriculture, Selected examples for site-specific tillage, seeding fertilisation, weed and pest management and harvest

Structure of Module:
14 units including 9 lectures, 2 seminars and 3 excursions + field tutorials
Teaching methods :
Lectures: Slide presentation (labtop and beamer), blackboard, hand outs
Seminars: Publications provided by the lecturer will be summarised and explained in short presentations by the students
Practical work: Supervised practical work in small groups
Excursion: Field demonstration

Literature:

García-Torres, L.; Benites, J.; Martínez-Vilela, A.; Holgado-Cabrera, A. (Eds.), 2003. Conservation Agriculture.Environment, Farmers Experiences, Innovations, Socio-Economy, Policy. ISBN: 1-4020-1106-7516 p.Jones, A.J.R. Lal, and D.R. Huggins. 1997. Soil erosion and productivity research. 5-A regional approach. Am J of Alter agri (12); 185-192. McCormack, D.E., K.K. Young, and L.W. Kimberlin, 1981. Technical and societal implications of soil loss tolerance. In R.P.C. Morgan [ed.] Soil Conservation, Problems and Prospects, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. Schertz, D.L., W.C. Moldenhauer, S.J. Livingston, G.A. Weesiers, and E.A. Hintz. 1989. Effect of past soil erosion on crop productivity in Indina. J. Soil and Water Conserv. 44 (6): 604-608. Weesies, G.A.,S.J. Livingston, W.D. Hosteler, and D.L. Schertz. 1994. Effect of soil erosion on crop yield in Indiana: results of a 10-year study. J. Soil and Water Conserv. 49(6):597-600. Young, A. 1997. Agroforestry for soil management. Cab International, Wallingford, UK, 320 pp.

Location:

Hohenheim

Module:

• 3401-450 Conservation Agriculture (compulsory)