Research Goals
Head: Dr. Diana Heuermann
The excessive use of fertilizers is one of the major problems in modern agriculture. Especially nitrogen losses are at the center of public perception, as nitrate leaching can have serious consequences for water quality and its organisms, while gaseous nitrogen emissions (e.g. nitrous oxide) contribute negatively to the greenhouse effect. Our work aims to improve nutrient use in the agricultural system. To this end, we focus on optimising crop rotations by integrating catch crops. What differences exist in the nutrient uptake capacity of individual catch crop species? Which root characteristics and nutrient mobilisation strategies of catch crops enhance the nutrient use in crop rotations? And how effectively do pure stands vs. mixtures support the nutrition of the main crop?
In order to elucidate the mechanisms behind those questions we compile catch crop species-specific depth profiles of the root mass distribution in field trials and characterise their root exudates. Using targeted growth assays, we study the influence of these root exudates on root development and nutrient availability of the main crop and conduct comprehensive analyses of the carry-over and loss of nitrogen in crop rotations.
We want to understand which root and nutrient acquisition mechanisms distinguish a good catch crop, optimise its use in crop rotations, and thus contribute to reducing fertilizer use in agriculture in the long term.