Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Define the objectives and principles of organic crop production, identify the regulations governing organic crop production in the European Union and describe the way these regulations are implemented in the UK;

2. Describe the role of soil organisms and organic matter (carbon) in maintaining soil fertility, identify appropriate soil and organic residue management practices; and evaluate the impact of soil management practices in organic farming on soil biological activity and fertility

Identify appropriate sources of major crop nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and the factors influencing their cycling and utilisation in organic cropping systems, including preparation and interpretation of nutrient budgets;

Identify the main ecological principles governing cropping systems and illustrate/evaluate their application to rotation design and polycultures (intercropping), as well as interactions with non-crop elements, in organic cropping systems;

Assess the factors governing crop health and productivity, and discuss their application in practice, with particular reference to nutrition, weed, pest and disease control, yields and quality;

Design appropriate cropping systems for specific situations (e.g. arable, horticulture, perennial crops) and describe the management of selected arable and horticultural enterprises, taking account of technical, husbandry, financial, and environmental considerations as well as market requirements.

Brief description

Content