**1. Introduction**

Industrial-supported production systems with monocultures production of one crop during the years at one place are known to unbalance complete biodiversity of the fields. The main reasons for decreasing soil, plant, and landscape biodiversity are bad agricultural practices such as: (i) reduction of organic inputs in the soil, (ii) use of synthetic compounds including heavy metals as a part of fertilizers, (iii) use of high inputs of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, and (iv) "scientific" supported GMO organisms adaptable to high inputs of herbicides. Especially, GMO plants in field crop production represent a compensation for the mentioned bad agricultural practices.

Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons

Few basic documents on agroecosystems biodiversity [1–3] gave extensive descriptions and figures about relationships of forming sustainable biodiversity. It is now clear that monoculture gives rise to decreased natural enemies of species diversity and habitat diversification, whereas rotations and cover crops can improve biodiversity [2]. An extensive overview from different aspects contains terms such as (i) prevention of culture and ethno science, (ii) knowledge about potential uses of plants, and (iii) uses of local resources for pest control, etc., but on other hand, the whole approach is done in the context of industrial-supported agriculture by synthetic pesticides and fertilizers [3]. Assessment of potential indicators for sustainability (especially biodiversity) of food production on the field level looks like built a house without strong fundament [4]. Indicators of soil quality and food quality (influenced by different crops in crop rotation) are essential for the indicator frameworks; they are strongly correlated with each other.

**3. Results and discussion**

**part of functional biodiversity**

it may be a main crop (like a chick pea).

intercrops and sole crops of underutilized plants.

**3.1. Review of scientific and professional bibliographies in field underutilized crops as** 

Importance of Underutilized Field Crops for Increasing Functional Biodiversity

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According to numerous projects' (e.g., by Agrobiodiversity international, different environmental agencies like PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency [8], and others) designs and explanations of agricultural biodiversity [2, 3] from agronomic point of view, underutilized crops are the main point for real sustainable biodiversity on the fields. Considering the basic part of agricultural biodiversity, especially underutilized crops growing in organic (biological, ecological) production system without synthetic chemistry and transgenic plants are the best support for rich agricultural biodiversity. In this way, rich functional biodiversity of underutilized crop supports all parts of natural biodiversity in the soil and on the field (**Figure 1**).

Potential of underutilized crops for rich biodiversity is extensively described by different authors [9] through global and regional assessments from wild to cultivated plants. In different literatures, about 100,000 used plants, 80,000 explored plants by humans since down civilization and about 118,000 edible plants are listed. In addition, 9500 plants as a source of economics, etc., are reported at the world level. Regional types of species are diverse according to climatic conditions, but in every region, a lot of minor, underutilized, and even neglected crops also exist. It is also based on the fact that in one region, one species can be neglected, but

In case of small country Slovenia, we can describe a relatively long list of potential edible and economical valuable field crops (**Table 1**). However, just a few of main crops are economically acceptable for the farmers. Because of this, agricultural biodiversity has reduced mainly to one or two crops per field. In recent years, biodiversity structure on the fields has been increasing especially on organic farms. The list in **Table 1** can be longer if herbal and vegetable crops or even their intercrops with fruit plants are included in crop rotation. In this case, in every region over the world, the increase of functional plants is nonlimited due to usable plants. Only question is whether political decision-makers support it. In case of Slovenia, we numbered more than 200 plant species in these combinations. However, many of this kind of combinations were not examples of research and specific development. In case of more traditional plants, we can represent some possibilities from more conventional intercrops to the

Underutilized crops are better adapted to marginal soil, complex and difficult environments conditions (climate change, which will have impact on biotic and abiotic stress), and they can contribute significantly to diversification and resilience of agroecosystems [10, 11]. Underutilized crops, which are known for their drought tolerance, are the minor millets, sorghum, and amaranth [12–14]. We have to know that we need to grow population of crops, which would have the ability to maintain the satisfactory yield under changing climates. Excellent drought resistance combined with good tolerance of heat, low fertility, and a range of soils make cowpeas viable throughout the temperate climate. It makes an excellent N source and attracts many beneficial insects. Cowpeas also can be used on poor land [15].

The main problem of dominant monoculture production (based on five main crops such as maize, wheat, soybean, rice and cassava, and potato, rye, etc., depending on specific regional circumstances) is genetic erosion of plant diversity and associated biodiversity of life cycles in the soil and behavior of the plants (pests, diseases, new components of GMO sequences in the plants, etc.). It is true and important that agricultural and biodiversity conservation sectors must work in partnership [5]. However, kind of theoretical basis is not enough for protecting biodiversity from landscape to the soil level. Especially, it needs to be in the scope of natural processes of known good agricultural practices.

In spite of discussions with different officers (Brussels, Ministry) and presented chapter [6], where we focused on agricultural measures for increasing biodiversity on the field level with supporting remarks for policy makers, "green measures" is nothing new. EU green measures (also the USA and other parts of world are not exception) in many cases smell more like "green washing" than real base for increasing rich biodiversity on the field level and produce niche products of health and nutritional foods [7].

The aim of the chapter is to analyze potential underutilized species of field crops and their benefits for introducing them into broader crop rotation instead of monoculture or two crops rotation. It is also important to show the data and idea to environmental, agronomical advisers, and policy makers for better understanding and support of rich biodiversity of crop plants in the fields.
