International training and exchange – a useful instrument in knowledge and attitude dissemination

Knowledge about organic agriculture is constantly changing and growing. Research related to organic agriculture at EU level nowadays plays an important role. Organic agriculture, being an integrated, holistic and multi-target approach, needs researchers who are trained to investigate poly-factorial and multi-level problems. For students and junior scientists, international seminars and exchange programs are necessary instruments to gain “state of the art” knowledge and skills from senior scientists in the field of organic agriculture. The QLIF training programme under WP7.4 provides training in the different aspects of ecological farming systems, but also offers an opportunity to discuss relevant and adequate research strategies and results. Within the EU sixth framework QLIF project, so far two seminars have been organized. Contents and impact of these seminars are discussed

The NDICEA model: a supporting tool for nitrogen management in arable farming

Nitrogen use ef ficiency is an important item i n organic farmi ng. Modelling nitrogen dynamics can help to understand the impact of alter native agronomic practices and thus assist in decision making. In three exampl es in the Netherlands, the role of the NDICEA model is demonstrated. I t is concluded that NDICEA is an easy to use and helpful tool for optimizing nitrogen efficiency and mi nimizing losse

Organic Milk Quality in the Netherlands : Distinguishable from conventional milk?

Recent studies have indicated possible positive interactions between organic animal production and, particularly, and various vitamins. As possible distinguishing quality parameters for organic milk, the differences between organic and conventional milk in Netherlands for fatty acid composition and vitamins were investigated in milk samples form supermarkets at several points in time. We have also investigated possible differences in taste and two alternative analytical parameters (bio-photons and bio-crystallisations) because a single quality parameter, like poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), hardly reflects organic intentions to produce quality in a more holistic way being an inherent reflection of proper agricultural practices. These two alternative parameters try to relate to the hypothesis stating that the structure (the ‘order’) of food is just as important to human health as the material composition (Bloksma et al, 2008)

NDICEA as a user friendly model tool for crop rotation planning in organic farming

For organic farming systems, the challenge is to become more specific in practices to maintain high standards in sustainability. Soil processes need to be clearly understood if rotations and manure applications are to become more precise. Simulation models like the NDICEA model help in the design and maintenance of these farming systems. These models play a key-role in the design of organic precision farming. The NDICEA model has been calibrated for a number of long-term crop rotation experiments. Recently, the model was validated using research data from more than 35 organic farms all over the country. The model is used to calculate soil-specific mineralization rates in precision applications. In a new easy-to-use application, it was developed to design crop rotations and evaluate performance of crop rotations. This application is used to evaluate the sustainability of farming systems

Directive dielectric designs for high efficiency photovoltaics

Solar energy is, together with wind, one of the main sources of renewable energy for the future, mostly coming from of solar cells based on photovoltaics. The technique has rapidly developed over the past decades, resulting in large efficiency increases and tremendous price reduction. But further improvement is needed to meet the demands for the energy transition. In this thesis we present several concepts and designs to achieve this, all based on directive light emission from dielectric nanophotonic structures. In chapter 2 we explain why not only light absorption, but also light emission in an important parameter for efficient photovoltaics. In the following chapters we present different designs that can lead to the described efficiency increases. In chapter 3 and 4 we work with a highly optimized nanophotonic microlens. We first show how this structure can give record directivity, and subsequently combine it with the new wonder material for photovoltaics, mixed halide perovskite, to create a self-optimizing system with even higher directivity. This self-optimization is exploited further in chapter 5 to make solar concentrator that exhibits self-tracking and diffuse light utilization. In the final two chapters we investigate luminescent solar concentrators that make use of directional light emitters and show a great potential for efficiency increase. Overall we show a variety of directive dielectric designs that each can lead to novel device applications

The NDICEA model: a supporting tool for nitrogen management in arable farming

Nitrogen use efficiency is an important item in organic farming. Modelling nitrogen dynamics can help to understand the impact of alternative agronomic practices and thus assist in decision making. In three examples in the Netherlands, the role of the NDICEA model is demonstrated. It is concluded that NDICEA is an easy to use and helpful tool for optimizing nitrogen efficiency and minimizing losses

SSF: legislation towards apt instruments

The relevance of including small-scale fisheries in fisheries legislation and instruments cannot be overemphasized, even if the issue is rather complicated