In Vitro Lab
by Prof. Stefaan Werbrouck
About the Course
The course "Biological Resources" highlights various aspects within the biomass production chain, focusing on both the plants themselves and the residual streams they generate. The structure of plants is unraveled and their life cycle, from growth to senescence and death, is studied. This also includes crop preservation and the importance of optimal storage conditions. The diversity of vegetables and type crops from fruit, ornamental and forestry crops is explored. For each crop, the potential waste streams left behind after their processing are analyzed. To close the circle, soil fertility, nutrient management and the carbon cycle are also addressed. It then examines how residual flows from primary production and food residues can be put to good use by insects, fungi (mushrooms), earthworms and other organisms. Alternative biomass sources such as wood, grass, algae and seaweed are also covered. The course emphasizes circular aspects, with sustainability and efficient use of biological resources as core concepts.
Lecturers
Prof. Stefaan Werbrouck and Prof. Steven Sleutel
Contents
The plant- Anatomy: structure of plants- Life cycle: from germination to flowering, fruiting and the circle that closes with the production of new seed.- Preservation: optimal storage conditions to avoid waste A variegated diversity: vegetables, fruits, trees and more- Vegetable families: diversity within the vegetable world- Agriculture, fruit, ornamental and forestry: different cultivation methods and crops that make our food supply, ornamental gardens and forests possible.- Algae and seaweed: unique organisms as a food source and raw material. Conversion of waste streams : The power of organisms.- Insects: role of insects in decomposing organic matter and their potential as a source of food and feed.- Fungi (including mushrooms): life cycle of fungi and application role in conversion of residual streams- Earthworms: role of earthworms in soil structure, nutrient conversion and composting. Soil, nutrition and carbon.- Terrestrial ecosystems in a key position within global element cycles: How do naturally occurring fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus compare with human-generated ones? What is the specific role of (agro)ecosystems within those cycles? offering A 1 (Proposal)- Soils and soil fertility: What are soils really? What factors determine a healthy and fertile soil?- Nutrient management: Use of N and P for food production. Environmental aspects of nutrient use in agriculture.- Agriculture, carbon and greenhouse gas emissions: role of plants and soil in carbon sequestration and impact of agricultural management on greenhouse gas emissions.
FINAL COMPETENCES
1 To be able to describe the structure and life cycle of plants, including the factors that 1 influence growth, development and optimal conservation.
2 To understand that due to the diversity of different types of crops in agriculture, horticulture 1 and forestry, there is a huge potential of residual streams available
3 To compare and critically approach the technical capabilities of helper organisms such as 1 insects, fungi, earthworms in the decomposition and conversion of organic matter, including 1 their potential to engage them and create valuable products.
4 Knowledge and understanding of the principles of soil fertility, nutrient cycling and carbon 1 sequestration as a function of circularity of sustainable agricultural production.