Cipher: 2119
Nomenclature: Advanced approach to growing crops in the Mediterranean climate
Study programme: Molecular biosciences
Module: Materials science and new technologies
Case holder:

The headline doc.dr.sc. Slavko Perica, zn. advisor-permanent choice
Institution of the case holder:

Institute for Adriatic Cultures and Karst Reclamation
Contributors - Contractors:

home doc.dr. Sc. Katja Žanić, zn. Counsellor
Subject status: Electoral College
The year in which the case is submitted: Year I
The semester in which the case is submitted: Semester II
Subject objective:

Understand the functioning of horticultural ecosystems in the Mediterranean climate as the basis for their planning and sustainable development and apply the knowledge in a wide range of breeding systems, from intensive (protected space; super-intensive plantations) to extensive ones.
Case contents:

Systems of cultivation of horticultural plants in the Mediterranean climate; annual cycles of growth and development; modern breeding technologies.
Mechanisms that allow plants to grow and multiply in different environmental conditions, key processes: flowering, pollination and fruit development; microscopic techniques in the study of reproductive features.
Diagnosis and resolution of nutritional and health disorders caused by abiotic or biotic factors; genotypic specificities.
Seminar papers with elements of scientific research work and their presentation; careful viewing and understanding of literature data.
Learning outcomes: competences, knowledge, skills that the subject develops:

1. Assess how environmental factors affect plant growth and development in the Mediterranean climate.
2. Assess the most suitable growing system and the most suitable conditions for the fitness and state of health of the plant.
3. Identify the problem of breeding in the working environment and offer a solution.
4. Critically interpret scientific data from various literature sources and use it in solving various problems of growing horticultural plants in the Mediterranean climate.
ECTS Credits 4
Lectures 5
Seminars (IS) 5
Exercises (E) 10
Altogether 20
The way of teaching and acquiring knowledge:

lectures or consultations, exercises (practicum and field teaching) and seminar work.
Ways of teaching and acquiring knowledge: (notes)
Monitoring and evaluating students (mark in fat printing only relevant categories) Attendance, Teaching activities, Mandatory seminar work, Exercise or case study
Rating method: Oral exam, Essay/Seminar
Mandatory literature:

1. Marschner, H. (1986) Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. Academic Press, London.
2. Öpik, H., Rolfe, S. (2005) The physiology of flowering plants. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
3. Paul V. Nelson (2011) Greenhouse Operation and Management. 7th ed. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs NJ.
4. Olive and olive oil A-Ž, (Zadar, B. and Perica, S., your.), Zadro, Zagreb, (2007), ISBN 978-953-182-075-2.
5. Civantos Lopez- Villalta, M. (1999) Olive pest and disease management. International Olive Oil Council, Madrid.
6. Pimentel, D. (2007) Encyclopedia of pest management. Volume II. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, New York, USA.
Supplementary (recommended) literature:

1. Perica, S. (2001) Seasonal fluctuation and intracanopy variation in leaf nitrogen level in olive. Journal of Plant Nutrition 24(4&5):779-787.
2. Perica, S., Brown, H.P., Connell, H., Nyomora, J., Agnes M.S., Dordas, C., Hu, H. (2001) Foliar boron application improves flower fertility and fruit set of olive. HortScience 36(4):714-716.
3. Strikić, F., Bandelj Mavsar, D., Perica, S., Čmelik, Z., Šatović, Z., Javornik, B. (2009) The main Croatian olive cultivar "Oblica", shows high morphological but low molecular diversity. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 84(3):345-349.
4. Vuletin Selak, G., Cuevas, J., Goreta Ban, S., Perica, S. (2014) Pollen tube performance in assessment of compatibility in olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae 165:36-43.
5. Vuletin Selak, G., Cuevas, J., Goreta Ban, S., Pinillos, V., Dumičić, G., Perica, S. (2014) The effect of temperature on the duration of the effective pollination period in 'Oblica' olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivar. Annals of Applied Biology 164(1):85-94.
6. Zanic, K., Ban, D., Gotlin Čuljak, T., Goreta Ban, S., Dumičić, G., Harami, J., Znidarčič, D. (2013) Aphid populations (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) depend of mulching in watermelon production in Mediterranean part of Croatia. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 11(4):1120-1128.
7. Zanic, K., Dumičić, G., Škaljac, M., Goreta Ban, S., Urlić, B. (2011) The effects of nitrogen rate and the ratio of NO3-:NH4+ on Bemisia tabaci populations in hydroponic tomato crops. Crop Protection 30:228-233.
8. Zanic, K., Goreta, S., Perica, S., Šutić, J. (2008) Effects of alternative pesticides on greenhouse whitefly in protected cultivation. Journal of Pest Science 81:161-166.
How to monitor the quality and performance performance (evaluation):

The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Ruđer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek based on exam success and surveys.