Horticultural Sciences

Growing special crops such as fruit, berries, grapes, vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants poses major challenges for organic farms. The division explores practical solutions to the key problems associated with these crops. In fruit-growing we test new plants and old varieties under organic conditions, improve yield stability and cost-effectiveness with preventive, system-stabilizing techniques and optimize fruit quality. In viticulture the focus is on suitability for cultivation and vinification of mould-resistant grape varieties. With new preparations and better forecasting models we are also improving stability of yield for traditional European varieties. Important aspects of vegetable-growing are cultivar trials and the use of green manure as a source of nutrients.