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ABSTRACT Three graduate-level short courses on ecological agriculture and food systems were held in 1995–1997 in Norway to introduce systems thinking, creative research methods, and innovative learning approaches. In 1999, a three-day evaluation and planning workshop was held to assess course impacts, to determine relative importance of content areas, to compare learning methods with special attention to case studies, and to vision and develop action plans for future education in the region. Students and faculty agreed that soft systems research methods and varied learning processes in the course were more valuable than specific technical content that can be learned in other venues. Nine priority education areas were identified for ecological agriculture: (1) systems thinking, (2) research methods, (3) farmer/stakeholder participation, (4) improving production methods, (5) relating agriculture to food systems, (6) learning about learning, (7) values and ethics, (8) faculty development and institutional ch...

ABSTRACT Three graduate-level short courses on ecological agriculture and food systems were held in 1995–1997 in Norway to introduce systems thinking, creative research methods, and innovative learning approaches. In 1999, a three-day evaluation and planning workshop was held to assess course impacts, to determine relative importance of content areas, to compare learning methods with special attention to case studies, and to vision and develop action plans for future education in the region. Students and faculty agreed that soft systems research methods and varied learning processes in the course were more valuable than specific technical content that can be learned in other venues. Nine priority education areas were identified for ecological agriculture: (1) systems thinking, (2) research methods, (3) farmer/stakeholder participation, (4) improving production methods, (5) relating agriculture to food systems, (6) learning about learning, (7) values and ethics, (8) faculty development and institutional ch...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new nitrogen-enriched organic-based fertilizer (NEO) on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) yield and soil fauna feeding activity. Nitrogen is transformed from the air to manure by a plasma process. At the farm level, NEO could improve self-sufficiency and sustainability. The work was carried out under controlled conditions in two pot trials. Five fertilization regimes were used: no fertilizer, different amounts of mineral fertilizer, three NEO types, organic fertilizer (untreated manure), and organic fertilizer + different amounts of N in mineral fertilizer, including 14 treatments in trial one and 11 treatments in trial two. Besides evaluating dry matter yields, we utilized the Bait-lamina test system to assess the feeding activity of soil fauna. The results indicated a clear positive impact of nitrogen (N) on ryegrass yield where all fertilizers increased the yield in correspondence with their N availability regardless of the fertilizer type; whereas the yield was highest with mineral fertilizer up to our maximum level of 235 kg N ha−1 in trial one and 175 kg N ha−1 in trial two. The NEO fertilizers yielded in the same range as mineral fertilizers. The same clear pattern was not observed for soil fauna feeding activity. Instead, a tendency was observed where no fertilization tends to give the highest feeding activity. We saw no correlation between the yield and the soil fauna feeding activity. The feeding activity was highest in depth below 5 cm from the soil surface. Feeding activity also increased over time after fertilization. The NEO fertilizers had no more adverse effects on soil fauna feeding activity than other fertilizers. Other factors than fertilization alone are determining the soil fauna feeding activity.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a new nitrogen-enriched organic-based fertilizer (NEO) on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) yield and soil fauna feeding activity. Nitrogen is transformed from the air to manure by a plasma process. At the farm level, NEO could improve self-sufficiency and sustainability. The work was carried out under controlled conditions in two pot trials. Five fertilization regimes were used: no fertilizer, different amounts of mineral fertilizer, three NEO types, organic fertilizer (untreated manure), and organic fertilizer + different amounts of N in mineral fertilizer, including 14 treatments in trial one and 11 treatments in trial two. Besides evaluating dry matter yields, we utilized the Bait-lamina test system to assess the feeding activity of soil fauna. The results indicated a clear positive impact of nitrogen (N) on ryegrass yield where all fertilizers increased the yield in correspondence with their N availability regardless of the fertilizer type; whereas the yield was highest with mineral fertilizer up to our maximum level of 235 kg N ha−1 in trial one and 175 kg N ha−1 in trial two. The NEO fertilizers yielded in the same range as mineral fertilizers. The same clear pattern was not observed for soil fauna feeding activity. Instead, a tendency was observed where no fertilization tends to give the highest feeding activity. We saw no correlation between the yield and the soil fauna feeding activity. The feeding activity was highest in depth below 5 cm from the soil surface. Feeding activity also increased over time after fertilization. The NEO fertilizers had no more adverse effects on soil fauna feeding activity than other fertilizers. Other factors than fertilization alone are determining the soil fauna feeding activity.

Cover crops could provide environmental benefits in spring-grain systems through diversification, reduced nitrate leaching, and carbon sequestration. However, few farmers apply the technique, partly as they believe the cover crops will compete with the main crop and cause yield losses. Cover crops can either be sown together with the grain (undersown) or in autumn and establish after grain harvest. The current study uses a mixed-method approach combining field trials, interviews, and literature synthesis. The field trials focused on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) that were undersown with 15 kg ha−1 but with different seeding dates in spring wheat and barley. The interviews focused on gathering practical experiences from farmers in Norway and the literature synthesis gathered results from other studies. For carbon sequestration, nine studies were judged relevant for our target climate and included in our synthesis. They showed a median value at 264 kg C ha−1 year−1. In our field trials, 300–900 kg DM ha−1 year−1 was produced, with Italian ryegrass sown at the same date as the grain on top. Our trials showed no significant grain yield reduction due to the use of cover crops. However, our synthesis of the literature showed a 5–10% yield reduction with Italian ryegrass that was sown at the same time as the grain. One- or two-weeks delay in the sowing of Italian ryegrass, or reduced seeding rates, could reduce the problem. The interviews showed that farmers do not prefer undersown species, especially not perennial species, as they have experienced that such species may come up again in the following years and cause a weed problem. We recommend farmers to use cover crops and for undersowing, we recommend Italian ryegrass that is sown one or two weeks after the grain. Perennial ryegrass can also be recommended, as long as the growth is properly terminated.

Cover crops could provide environmental benefits in spring-grain systems through diversification, reduced nitrate leaching, and carbon sequestration. However, few farmers apply the technique, partly as they believe the cover crops will compete with the main crop and cause yield losses. Cover crops can either be sown together with the grain (undersown) or in autumn and establish after grain harvest. The current study uses a mixed-method approach combining field trials, interviews, and literature synthesis. The field trials focused on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) that were undersown with 15 kg ha−1 but with different seeding dates in spring wheat and barley. The interviews focused on gathering practical experiences from farmers in Norway and the literature synthesis gathered results from other studies. For carbon sequestration, nine studies were judged relevant for our target climate and included in our synthesis. They showed a median value at 264 kg C ha−1 year−1. In our field trials, 300–900 kg DM ha−1 year−1 was produced, with Italian ryegrass sown at the same date as the grain on top. Our trials showed no significant grain yield reduction due to the use of cover crops. However, our synthesis of the literature showed a 5–10% yield reduction with Italian ryegrass that was sown at the same time as the grain. One- or two-weeks delay in the sowing of Italian ryegrass, or reduced seeding rates, could reduce the problem. The interviews showed that farmers do not prefer undersown species, especially not perennial species, as they have experienced that such species may come up again in the following years and cause a weed problem. We recommend farmers to use cover crops and for undersowing, we recommend Italian ryegrass that is sown one or two weeks after the grain. Perennial ryegrass can also be recommended, as long as the growth is properly terminated.