Soil Sciences

The soil is of key importance in organic farming. In long-term field trials and on farms the soil sciences division investigates the efficiency of organic and conventional farming systems in terms of fertilizer and energy use. Of particular interest in this context are the microorganism communities in the soil and their role in the mineralization of organic matter and the formation of humus. To help maximize yields in agriculture and horticulture while also saving natural resources, the group explores reduced tillage systems, the use of beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhizae and ways of improving nutrient cycles through crop rotation. Plant breeding for organic agriculture is another important area of research and goes hand in hand with improvements to plant varieties and cultivation systems. Work on soil and climate includes quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from soil use in order to identify ways of mitigating climate change. Research is also conducted into ways of managing agricultural land that promote adaptation to climate change.