CONTRIBUTION OF ALTERNATIVE CROPS TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN THE FUNCTION OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
In this paper the following alternative crops interesting to be cultivated in Balcan cuntries in order to enlarge the biodiversity are discussed: broomcom, grain sorghum, proso millet, smail and large headed italian millet, canarygraas, buckwheat,oil pumpkin,hemp,flax,tobacco,medicinal, aromatic and spice species as well as amaranth.Alternative crops occupy a relatively small acreage but their contribution to the diversification of field crops production is considerable. Natural biodiversity is of high relevance considering the ecosystem stability and productivity. A high level of agro-biodiversity is very important because of wider crop rotations, growing leguminous crops for the nitrogen input, and the need for specific site and system adapted species and cultivars, also when considering special marketing strategies. For the further improvement of the production of alternative crops expanded literature, selected cultivars and innovative production andprocesing technologies are neccesary. It works best if covering and integrating the whole value chain including wholesalers, retailers, and consumer.
Downloads
Article Details
References
2. Bengtsson, J., Ahnstroem, J., Weibull, A.-C.(2005): The effects of organic agriculture on biodiversity and abundance: a meta-analysis. J. Applied Ecology 42, 261–269.
3. Drews, S., Neuhoff, D., Koepke, U.(2009) Weed suppression ability of three winter wheat varieties of different row spacing under organic farming conditions. Weed Research 49, 526–533.
4. EC (European Commission) (2011): Biodiversity Strategy 2020. Published 3 May 2011. Brussels.
5. Frieben, B., Koepke, U.(1996): Effects of farming systems on biodiversity. In: Isart, J., Llerena, J.J. (Eds.), Proceedings of ENOF (European Network on Research in Organic Farming) Workshop on Biodiversity and Land Use: The Role of Organic Farming, Bonn, Germany, 11–21.
6. Fuller, R. J., Norton, L.R., Feber, R.E., et al.(2005). Benefits of organic farming to biodiversity vary among taxa. Biol. Lett. 1, 431-434.
7. Haila Y (1995): Biodiversiteetti ja luobbobsuojelu.Biodiversity and Production (ed. By Iliedanpaa j.), p.27-4G. Animal Science, 63, 353-361.
8. Haas, G., Friedt, W. (1990): Objectives and options of breeding nutrient efficient crops. Arbeitstagung 1990 der “Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Saatzuchtleiter”, 20-22.11.1990, Bundesanstalt fuer alpenlaend. Landwirtschaft Gumpenstein, Irdning, Oesterreich, 21-37.
9. Heitschmidt R.K.,ShortR.E.,Giings E.E.(1996):Ecosystems,sustainability and animal agriculture. Journal of Animal Science, 74, 1395-1404.
10. Kraus, J., Gallenberger, I., Steffan - Dewenter, I.(2011):Decreased Functional Diversity and Biological Pest Control in Conventional Compared to organic Crop Fields. PLoS ONE 6(5): e19502. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019502.
11. Robert W. Morin P. (2004): Conservation genetics in the new molecular age”. Front Ecol. Environment 2.2(2004):89–97. The Ecological Society of America.
12. Vučinid M. and Pešid V.(1997): Manipulacije animalnim i biljnim genomima i genia u poljoprivredi. Univerzitet Beograu (ed.) books, Beograd.
13. Wetterich, F., Haas, G.(2000): Agricultural life cycle assessment in the Allgaeu region: Impact categories landscape image and biodiversity (in German). Natur und Landschaft 75/12, 474-480.
14. Woodworth, Lynn; Montgomery, Margaret; Briscoe, David; Frankham, Richard. (2002): “rapid genetic deterioration in captive populations:causes and conservation implications.” Conservation Genetics 3 (2002): 277–88. Kluwer Academic Publishers.