Possibilities of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) post-harvest cropping

Abstract

Cilj rada bio je prikazati značaj i karakteristike heljde (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) kroz pregled literature i dosadašnjih istraživanja s naglaskom na mogućnosti postrnog uzgoja ove kulture. Opisane su specifičnosti u agrotehnici postrnog uzgoja heljde i prednosti kojeg ovakav način uzgoja donosi sustavu biljne proizvodnje. Heljda je sa svojim morfološkim karakteristikama i agroekološkim uvjetima uzgoja pogodna kao postrna kultura što je prikazano kroz pregled dosadašnih istraživanja. U Republici Hrvatskoj najčešće se sije nakon žetve ozimih žitarica. Tlo štiti od nepovoljnih vremenskim prilika, podiže razinu hraniva u tlu, akumulira i konzervira vlagu te suzbija korove zbog svoje velike nadzemne mase koju nakon sjetve brzo razvija. Zbog dugog perioda cvatnje vrlo je značajna za ispašu pčela. U sustavu postrnog ratarenja značajno doprinosi održivosti agroekosustava kroz utjecaj na povećanje bioraznolikosti, plodnosti tla i produktivnosti sustava biljne proizvodnje.The aim of the paper was to show the significance and characteristics of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) through a review of literature and previous research, with an emphasis on the possibility of post-harcest cropping of this plant. The specifics in agrotechnics of buckwheat post-harvest cropping and the advantages that such cropping system bring to the plant production system are described. Buchwheat is suitable plant for postharvest cropping whit its morphological characteristics and the agroecological conditions of breeding, as shown in the review of the present research. In the Republic of Croatia buckwheat is most commonly sown after harvesting the winter grain. Buckwheat used as post-harvest crop helps in soil protection against unfavourable weather conditions, improving nuttrients level in soil and in water preserving and accumulation. Due to its rapid growth after seeding and quickly canopy development buckwheat sown as second crop is a very good weed suppressor. It is significant as honeybees forage because of its long flowering period. In post harvest cropping system buckwheat significantly contributes to the sustainability of agroecosystem trough its positive influence on biodiversity, soil fertility and plant production system productivity