The Department gained autonomy in 1952, and chose the name “Department of General Agriculture.” In 1959, the department joined the Agro-meteorological Institute, which was affiliated with the Department of Soil Science and Agro-chemistry, a name change was accepted, and the Department of Crop Husbandry and Agrometeorology was born.
Due to a new focus on agricultural systems, the name was changed again to the “Department of Agricultural Systems” in 1973. In 1990, after structural changes to the Faculty of Agronomy and its departments, the new name for the department “Department of General Plant Production and Agro-meteorology” was accepted.
Further structural changes within the faculty in 2004, precipitated another name change, the current name “Department of Agro-ecology and Bio-meteorology” was chosen, a far more accurate nomenclature, highlighting the wide scope of research undertaken and the overall teaching focus.
Focus:
The department deals with the structural and functional properties of agro-ecosystems, the influence of biophysical environment, socio-economic factors, sustainable farming practices and sustainable production methods.
Educational activity:
The Department participates in bachelor programmes at all faculties of the University. It also provides special courses for masters and PhD. students of the Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources (FAFNR) including practice and fieldwork. The courses, Advanced Agrometeorology (FAFNR) and Agricultural systems I. (Faculty of Economics and Management) are delivered in English.
Research activity:
Scientific and research activities at the department intersect with many related branches. The department participates in institutional research projects within the faculty, and various domestic and international grant agencies. In the research area of farming practice, shallow tillage for crops, yield formation, soil conditions, and the economy are studied.
Weed science covers conventional areas such as biology, ecology of important weed species, methods and technologies of weed control in cropping systems, biological efficacy, phytotoxicity and other features of herbicide application. Possible use of GMO as herbicide resistant crops and use of GIS for weed control has recently been investigated. Meteorological research is oriented to agrometeorological modeling, standardization of climatological and meteorological data, temperature measurement and radiation characteristics in field crops and the landscape.
International contacts:
The department enjoys wide cooperation with foreign universities, research institutions and agrochemical companies. Foreign activities of the department are covered by regular teaching staff. Mobility of staff is supported by the Socrates-Erasmus Programme. Departmental staff takes part in international scientific conferences, workshops, study stays, excursions, fieldwork and scientific exchanges abroad.