Proceedings of the Alps-Adria scientific workshop 2002 [antikvár]

Agriculture has been a most essential activity of mankind. Wealth, alimentation and food industry are related to the success of crop production. ín a historical context animal husbandry and humán alimentation are both based on plánt products. In recent times crop production is much more diverse concerning its fíelds of economic and social utility. Agricultural production may have several targets, however none of them can be independent from environmental aspects. Food produced by agriculture is essential for mankind, but this sustenance should never risk our sustainability. A possible definition of sustainability is that the world conservation strategy should include management of the use of a resource in a way, that it can meet humán demands of the present generation without decreasing opportunities for future generations. A sound agriculture should involve the succesful management of agricultural resources to satisfy humán needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving natural resources. Agriculture requires many resources - land, water, energy, chemicals and minerals, machinery and humán resources. Many of these are finite, yet are subject to increasing pressure. The question of world food adequacy, and the interrelationships between population, high-yield farming and preservation of natural resources represent a real endeavour in crop science. This conference is organized under the auspicies of two committees of the Hungárián Academy of Sciences; the Crop Production Committee and the Soil Science and Agrochemistry Committee. The workshop is dedicated to the AlpsAdria movement providing a bridge to science and people of the region. The aim and scope of the conference is to overview research activities and experimentál results in the field of agri-environment. The main topics to be discussed will be the role and impact of water, soil, nutrition, production technics and quality aspects of field crops. The coference is held in the Grand Hotel Adriatic, the Queen of tourism on the Adriatic and one of the most popular convention venues in Croatia. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Opatija Riviéra this pearl of the sea will link science and leisure, touristic and intellectual interest. The historical cauldron of Dalmatia, Queen Elizabeth's Abbazia of dignity, the legends of the Uskok pirates and the naval pride of Danilo Turkovic all contributes to today's visitors an everlasting experience. Opatija, March 2002 The Organizing Committee