Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Agricultural Sciences Bachelor Information
Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2010)
5. Semester
Focus Agricultural and Resource Economics
Complementary Courses in Agricultural and Resource Economics
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-4001-00LForage Cropping Information W2 credits2GN. Buchmann, A. Lüscher
AbstractThis course is an introduction into forage cropping and grassland sciences. Topics include: extensive/intensive use, grassland evaluation, grassland maintenance, management using fertilization, cutting, etc. Relationships between site, vegetation composition and management will be explored.
ObjectiveDie Studierenden werden wichtige Mischungen und Pflanzengemeinschaften mitteleuropäischer Graslandökosysteme kennen, klassische und aktuelle Arbeiten der Bestandesökophysiologie kennen, in der Lage sein, den Einfluss von Umweltfaktoren und Bewirtschaftung nicht nur auf Einzelpflanzen, sondern auf Pflanzenbestände und ihre Erträge abzuschätzen, und üben, ein wissenschaftliches Thema schriftlich prägnant zusammenzufassen.
ContentIn diesem Kurs werden die verschiedenen Typen des Futterbaus und die wichtigsten Mischungen, aber auch natürliche Pflanzengemeinschaften in Mitteleuropa vorgestellt (Bestandesbeurteilung). Basierend auf der Ökophysiologie von Einzelpflanzen wird die Ökophysiologie von Pflanzenbeständen erarbeitet. Es werden verschiedene Arten der Bewirtschaftung vorgestellt (z. B. Bestandeslenkung durch Düngung, Beweidung, Schnitttermine, etc.) und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Bestandeszusammensetzung und auf die Erträge diskutiert. Feedback-Mechanismen zwischen Umwelt und Futterbausystemen werden angesprochen.
Lecture notesHandouts werden auf dem Netz zur Verfügung gestellt.
LiteratureWird in der Veranstaltung angesprochen.
Prerequisites / NoticeCourse will be given in German. Course builds on the Ertrags- und Ökophysiologie lecture and provides the basics for the Graslandsysteme.
751-4101-00LCropsW2 credits2GA. Walter, F. Liebisch, W. Richner
AbstractPresentation of the central crops of our regions (cereals, oil and fibre plants, legumes, root and tuber plants) with respect to their biology, site requirements, reaction to environmental conditions and farming practice. A few crops of other regions will be discussed for these aspects as well.
ObjectiveDuring this course, students acquire essential knowledge on agriculturally relevant aspects of crop biology. Via lectures and 'hands-on' teaching elements, differences between species as well as common aspects of different species will be experienced. Thereby, the foundation will be laid for a more intense examination of alternative crops, cropping systems and of procedures to characterize geno- and phenotype.
751-4201-00LHorticulture IW2 credits2VL. Bertschinger, A. Bühlmann, J.‑L. Spring
AbstractOverview on horticulture (international and national), insights into principles of practical fruit production (pre- and post-harvest), viticulture (incl. some hints on wine making), berry production and vegetable production in Switzerland.
ObjectiveInsights into fruit production (world and Switzerland), particularly ...
- Main production areas (international & national)
- Relevance (international & national)
- Key aspects of production (Switzerland), i.e. selected aspects referring to varieties, production techniques incl. physiology and plant protection, economics
- Key challenges (Switzerland)
- Selected, interesting research and development projects
ContentThe relevance of horticulture at the international level will be treated in the first block.
During the semester in autumn (Horticultural Crops I), post harvest aspects in fruit production are discussed in 2 blocks of 4h. Following on this, viticulture (incl. some aspects of wine making) will be looked at in 3 blocks of 4h. During the spring semester (Horticultural Crops II), 3 blocks of 4h deal with vegetable production, and 2 blocks of 4h are addressing berry production.
Lecture notesDelivered during the lectures by the different teachers, ELBA upload.
LiteratureNot needed, maybe specific literature is specified by the different teachers.
Prerequisites / NoticeLanguage and script: German or French, maybe selected parts in English.
751-4801-00LSystem-Oriented Management of Herbivore Insects IW2 credits2GD. Mazzi
AbstractThe focus is on the potential to assess strategies and tactics of pest management, taking into account the demands from the economy, the environment and the society. Significant agricultural approaches will be explained using practical examples, including prevention using natural resources, surveillance and forecasting, resistance management, as well as product registration, incl. ecotoxicology.
ObjectiveThe students gain a good understanding of fundamental aspects of pest management in agroecosystems. They will have the ability to assess options for action in view of requirements from the economy, the ecology and the society. Further, they will learn to perform searches on relevant issues in pest management, and to critically evaluate case studies.
751-7101-00LApplied Animal NutritionW2 credits2GM. Kreuzer, G. Bee, F. Leiber, R. Messikommer, F. Sutter
AbstractThe basics of planning of feeding and formulation of diets incl. the implications on nutrient cycles and balances are teached. In the part dealing with ruminants, forage-based diets and the application of feed formulation programs are central and exercised on-farm. With pigs and poultry, the basics of energy and nutrient requirements are deepened through practical examples.
ObjectiveThe students are able, based on the knowledge they obtain in this course, to deal with problems in the nutrition of ruminants, pigs and poultry on farm.
Content- Programmteil Wiederkäuer: Einführung in die Winterfütterungsplanung für Milchkühe, Betriebsbesuch (Erfassung aller notwendigen Daten inkl. Futterprobenentnahme für eine konkrete Planung auf einem Praxisbetrieb), Besonderheiten der Milchviehfütterung (Laktationsverlauf, Jahreszeit, etc.); Einführung in den LBL-Fütterungsplan, Möglichkeiten der Futterbeurteilung und - bewertung mit praktischer Beurteilung der gesammelten Proben, Berechnungen und Besprechung Fütterungsplan, Aufstellung der Mineralstoffbilanz, Vorführung von PC-Software zur Fütterungsplanung Vorstellen und diskutieren des Fütterungsplanes auf dem Praxisbetrieb durch die Gruppe.

- Programmteil Nicht-Wiederkäuer: Der Energie- und spezifische Nährstoffbedarf beim Schwein und Geflügel; Besonderheiten der Fütterung in den verschiedenen Produktionsphasen; Fütterungsempfehlungen und – hinweise. Rationengestaltung und Rezeptoptimierung für Mischfuttermittel anhand verschiedener Beispiele; Einsatzgrenzen von Futtermittel; technologische Futterbearbeitung.
Lecture notesHandouts in German language will be provided by each lecturer when starting his part of the lecture.
LiteratureDie Dozierenden geben in der Lehrveranstaltung die relevante Literatur bekannt.
Prerequisites / NoticeBlockkurs in Halbtagesform; eingeschlossen sind Betriebsbesuche. Fach mit benoteter Semesterleistung.
751-5003-00LSustainable Agroecosystems IIW2 credits2VJ. Six, A. Hofmann
AbstractThis class is intended to convey methods of agroecological research through selected case studies from current research projects and hands-on exercises. Students will gain an overview on actors in the field of sustainable agricultural development.
Objective(1) Get to know methods for field and laboratory investigations in agroecology, (2) Analyze case studies from current agroecological research, (3) Place institutions and related projects into the context of sustainable agricultural development
LiteratureGliessman, S.R. (2014) Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems. 3rd edition, CRC Press. 405 p.
Prerequisites / NoticePrior participation in the lecture Nachhaltige Agrarökosysteme I (Sustainable Agroecosystems I) 751-5000-00G (in spring semester) recommended; classes taught mostly in English
751-4504-00LPlant Pathology IW2 credits2GB. McDonald
AbstractPlant Pathology I will focus on pathogen-plant interactions, epidemiology, disease assessment, and disease development in agroecosystems. Themes will include: 1) how pathogens attack plants and; 2) how plants defend themselves against pathogens; 3) factors driving the development of epidemics in agroecosystems.
ObjectiveStudents will understand: 1) how pathogens attack plants and; 2) how plants defend themselves against pathogens; 3) factors driving the development of epidemics in agroecosystems as a basis for implementing disease management strategies in agroecosystems.
ContentCourse description: Plant Pathology I will focus on pathogen-plant interactions, epidemiology, disease assessment, and disease development in agroecosystems. Themes will include: 1) how pathogens attack plants and; 2) how plants defend themselves against pathogens; 3) factors driving the development of epidemics in agroecosystems. Topics under the first theme will include pathogen life cycles, disease cycles, and an overview of plant pathogenic nematodes, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Topics under the second theme will include plant defense strategies, host range, passive and active defenses, and chemical and structural defenses. Topics under the third theme will include the disease triangle and cultural control strategies.

Lecture Topics and Tentative Schedule

Week 1 No Lecture: First day of autumn semester

Week 2 The nature of plant diseases, symbiosis, parasites, mutualism, biotrophs and necrotrophs, disease cycles and pathogen life cycles. Nematode attack strategies and types of damage.

Week 3 Viral pathogens, classification, reproduction and transmission, attack strategies and types of damage. Examples TMV, BYDV, plum pox virus. Bacterial pathogens and phytoplasmas, classification, reproduction and transmission. Bacterial attack strategies and symptoms. Example bacterial diseases: fire blight, Agrobacterium crown gall, soft rots.

Week 4 Fungal pathogens, classification, growth and reproduction, sexual and asexual spores, transmission. Fungal life cycles, disease cycles, infection processes, colonization, phytotoxins and mycotoxins. Attack strategies of fungal necrotrophs and biotrophs.

Week 5 Symptoms and signs of fungal infection. Example fungal diseases: potato late blight, wheat stem rust, grape powdery mildew, wheat Septoria leaf blotch.

Week 6 Plant defense mechanisms, host range and non-host resistance. Passive structural and chemical defenses, preformed chemical defenses. Active structural defense, papillae, active chemical defense, hypersensitive response, pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, phytoalexins and disease resistance.

Week 7 Pisatin and pisatin demethylase. Local and systemic acquired resistance, signal molecules.

Week 8 Pathogen effects on food quality and safety.

Week 9 Epidemiology: historical epidemics, disease pyramid, environmental effects on epidemic development. Plant effects on development of epidemics, including resistance, physiology, density, uniformity.

Week 10 Disease assessment: incidence and severity measures, keys, diagrams, scales, measurement errors. Correlations between incidence and severity.

Week 11 Molecular detection and diagnosis of pathogens. Host indexing, serology, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. ELISA, PCR, rDNA and rep-PCR.

Week 12 Strategies for minimizing disease risks: principles of disease control and management.

Week 13 Disease control strategies: economic thresholds, physical control methods.

Week 14 Cultural control methods: avoidance, tillage practices, crop sanitation, fertilizers, crop rotation.
Lecture notesDetailed lecture notes (~160 pages) will be available for purchase at the cost of reproduction at the start of the semester.
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