MOOC sustainable crop producton

• Informatiemanagement
• HBO
• Studiejaar 4

Why this MOOC?

Will there be enough food for future generations? 

MOOC Content

clay and sand

What is the wilting point of plants?

Wilting

Wilting occurs when the cells of the leaf lose their turgidity. Stomata are closing down, resulting in lower transpiration losses. Additionally hanging leaves intercept less solar radiation (check week 2.2 video snippet on 'light interception'). As a result not only assimilation decreases, but also the radiation load, which would normally heat up the leaves.

Why can crops wilt despite ample water availability?

1. The roots are too deep in the soil, so they cannot take up water.
2. If the soil is water logged, the absence of oxygen prevents water uptake by the roots.
3. If the soil is water logged, nutrients cannot reach the roots.

Besides flooding and sprinkler or drip irrigation there are other ways to prevent a crop from water shortage known as sub-irrigation. This keeps the ground water at a desired level by pumping water into the (horizontal) drainage system

1. Flooding, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, sub-irrigation.
2. Sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, flooding, sub-irrigation.
3. Flooding, drip irrigation, controlled drainage, sprinkler irrigation.
4. Flooding, sub-irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation.