teelten

Teelten is a Dutch term referring to the cultivation activities involved in growing crops, and is commonly used to describe agricultural practices related to plant production for food, fiber, and ornamental use. The word teelt (singular) and its plural teelten derive from the concept of cultivation and production systems in agriculture and horticulture. In practice, teelten covers a range of crop production activities and can refer to both field crops and horticultural crops, as well as permanent crops when discussed in terms of production systems.

Typical teelt practices include soil preparation and drainage, seed selection or planting material, crop rotation and intercropping, irrigation and drainage management, fertilization and soil fertility management, pest and disease control, weed management, and post-harvest handling and storage. Methods vary with climate, soil, crop type, and market requirements, and may span open-field cultivation to protected environments such as greenhouses and high tunnels.

Historically, teelten have evolved with advances in agronomy, mechanization, and technology. In the Netherlands and other lowland regions, drainage, land consolidation, and greenhouse horticulture have shaped contemporary teelten, enabling higher yields and more consistent production in some sectors. Today, teelten increasingly emphasize sustainability, resource efficiency, and climate resilience through precision agriculture, integrated pest management, organic production, and data-driven decision making.

See also: agriculture, horticulture, crop science, sustainable farming, greenhouse cultivation.