in progress since: 2025

Brief Description:

The overarching goal of the project is to establish the foundations for interdisciplinary research on the interactions and effects of integrating shrubs and trees into ecological viticulture (VitiForst) in Baden-Württemberg, to assess their potential in terms of climate protection and biodiversity, and, following a transdisciplinary approach, to advance it in collaboration with practical applications. In the work package "Viticulture and Climate Protection," key physiological and agronomic parameters will be collected to infer the potential effects of VitiForst systems (including grape quality, leaf parameters for abiotic or biotic stress, water balance, microclimate). In the work package "Biodiversity," the soil biological diversity of VitiForst systems will be assessed, including the abundance and diversity of earthworms, microbial community structure, and biomass (fungi, bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) through DNA extraction, PCR, and PFLA. Additionally, the rhizosphere microbiome will be studied, and metabolite analysis (metabolite profiling) will be conducted. In addition to the scientific aspects, the marketing potential and strategies for product placement will be explored.

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in progress since: 2024

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Lilith Weissflog
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Brief description:

Wine-growing regions face significant challenges in the wake of advancing climate change. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events threaten traditional wine-growing areas and test the adaptability of conventional grapevine varieties. Against this backdrop, research into the diversity of grapevines under various climatic conditions and physiological stress factors is becoming increasingly urgent.

The objective of this study is to characterize the diversity of 54 grape varieties from the Hohenheim range. This diversity encompasses old grape varieties from natural crosses predating the 19th century, new grape varieties from anthropogenic crosses of the 19th and 20th centuries, and fungus-resistant (PIWI) grape varieties that have emerged from hybrids comprising V. riparia, V. rupestris, V. labrusca, and V. cinerea. The objective of this study is to obtain an overview of the differences in berries and wine between traditional grape varieties and modern anthropogenic crosses, and to analyse the special features of PIWI varieties. In order to enhance comprehension of the adaptability of grapevine varieties to climatic stress factors, the present study is complemented by the analysis of mRNA and microRNA profiles under repeated drought stress conditions. The analysis has been designed to elucidate the gene regulation mechanisms of grapevine varieties under such stress, an area that has remained largely unexplored.

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in progress since: 2025

Persons involved:

Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb
Dr. Sabine Zikeli
Dr. Ulrike Lohwasser
Dr. Moritz Reckling
Dr. Andreas Butz
Dr. Klaus Fleißner
Andrea Winterling

In cooperation with:

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK)
Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V.
Landwirtschaftliches Technologiezentrum Augustenberg
Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Institut für Agrarökologie und Biologischen Landbau, Institut für Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzüchtung
Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften, FG Qualität pflanzlicher Erzeugnisse
Zentrum Ökologischer Landbau Universität Hohenheim

Brief Description:

The main goal of the project is to screen various species of the genus Vigna (Vigna radiata / mung bean, Vigna angularis / adzuki bean, Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata / cowpea, Vigna mungo / black gram) and Phaseolus coccineus / scarlet runner bean for cultivation in Germany, with the long-term aim of expanding the portfolio of legume species. The focus is on their use in human nutrition, including P. coccineus, a species that has traditionally been used primarily in mixed farming systems for ruminant feed. All five legume species originate from subtropical climates and are adapted to warm and sometimes dry conditions. Currently, they are primarily cultivated in Asia, Africa, and also in the USA. Due to climate change, temperatures are expected to rise in Germany, which could enable the integration of Vigna species and scarlet runner beans into local farming systems, especially in warmer regions. In Germany, the number of consumers following vegan or vegetarian diets is increasing, and there is growing demand for plant-based protein sources across the entire food sector. Consumers are placing more importance on a diverse range of legumes, which is currently almost exclusively met through imports. Since neither Vigna species nor P. coccineus have been selected for commercial cultivation in Germany, the potential for growing these species in the country is unknown. The organic food sector is already interested in locally produced goods, and it is expected that there will also be demand in the conventional food sector, similar to the demand for domestic soybeans for human consumption. Therefore, the core of the BOENLE project is the screening of accessions and varieties of Vigna species and scarlet runner beans for cultivation in Germany.

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in progress since: 2022

Persons involved:

Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb
Dr. agr. Sabine Zikeli
Dr. sc. agr. Annegret Pflugfelder
Dr. Ulrike Lohwasser (IPK)
Dr. Moritz Reckling (ZALF)

In cooperation with:

Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften, Universität Hohenheim
FG Qualität pflanzlicher Erzeugnisse
Zentrum Ökologischer Landbau Universität Hohenheim
Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK)
Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung e.V.

Brief Description:

The main goal of the project is to evaluate the genetic resources of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) for their suitability for cultivation in Germany, thereby expanding the range of crop species available to both conventional and organic farmers with two largely underutilized legumes. Chickpeas are already a major food crop globally, especially in Africa, South Asia, and the Mediterranean region, but have not yet been grown on a large scale in Germany. Grass pea is a genetic resource that has been minimally used in Europe (with cultivation mainly in Asia and Africa) and has no current role in Germany. Both species are well-adapted to dry and warm climates, making them promising alternatives to commonly grown legumes such as peas or faba beans, which are exhibiting increasingly lower yield stability due to climate change. As part of the project, genetic resources for both crops will be identified, tested for suitability for domestic cultivation, and selected to provide interested farmers with appropriate genotypes. The selection of chickpeas will focus on regions with higher temperatures (e.g., the Rhine Valley, Southern Palatinate, parts of Brandenburg and Saxony), while grass peas will also be suitable for cooler regions with sandy soils in Northern and Eastern Germany, where future drought stress is expected to be more frequent due to climate change.

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in progress since: 2023

Persons involved:

Dr. agr. Sabine Zikel
Prof. Dr. Jan Frank
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb
Dr. Christian Poll
Lauteracher Albfeldfrüchte und Landwirte der Erzeugergemeinschaft „Albleisa“, weitere Linsenanbauer im Heckengäu

In cooperation with:

Institut für ErnährungswissenschaftenFG Biofunktionalität der LebensmittelInstitut für KulturpflanzenwissenschaftenFG Qualität pflanzlicher ErzeugnisseInstitut für Bodenkunde und StandortslehreFG BodenbiologieZentrum Ökologischer Landbau Universität Hohenheim

Brief Description:

The aim of this research project is to comprehensively adapt the key aspects of the terroir concept, traditionally used in viticulture, to the cultivation of lentils (Lens culinaris), and to generate pioneering, preliminary results for this expanded application of the concept. Using the example of organic lentil cultivation (with a focus on the Swabian Alb), the complex interaction between climate, soil, plant, cultivation methods, processing, and product quality will be analyzed. A particular focus will be placed on the microbiome, examining its changes and interactions during cultivation and processing to identify key factors underpinning the terroir concept. The findings are aimed at helping farmers apply the terroir concept to their crops, optimizing cultivation and processing to reflect regional terroir, and using the resulting product quality as a marketing tool and justification for pricing in line with the terroir concept.

In organic farming, local conditions play a much greater role in crop production compared to conventional farming, as the use of inputs (especially fertilizers and pesticides) is significantly reduced. Organic lentils, in particular, are typically grown regionally, suggesting a possible link between the microbiome in the soil, on the plant, and within the seed. This connection could, for example, affect the occurrence of diseases in organic lentil cultivation. The microbiome may have both positive and negative effects on plant health.

For consumers of organic products, regional cultivation, product quality, and taste are particularly important factors in their purchasing decisions. As a result, the application of the terroir concept in the organic sector is expected to become a promising marketing tool.

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funded by: DFG

in progress since: 2022

Persons involved:
Dr. Xudong Zhang
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Brief Description:

The improvement of salt tolerance of crop plants represents a task of increasing relevance. Faba bean is sensitive to high salt, in particular to chloride, leading to severe growth reductions. In comparison, maize is moderately sensitive to NaCl and Cl-. We aim to analyse the interplay between tissue tolerance and stomata related processes contributing to salt tolerance under conditions of increased salt ion concentrations in leaves. Because stomatal function is a top-down regulator of many physiological processes, dysfunctions of stomata inevitably have severe detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Therefore, maintaining guard cell functionality and thereby control of the water status of plants will result in an improved performance under salinity. The stomatal complex of maize differs to that of faba bean, because monocot guard cells are surrounded by subsidiary cells, which function as a reservoir for inorganic ions. In faba bean, the cell wall, i.e. the apoplast fulfils the corresponding function. Because guard cells have poor selectivity for K+ over other monovalent cations such as Na+ and import Cl- in dependency of its concentrations in the cell walls, harmful accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions in guard cells, might occur under conditions of NaCl exposure. This observation received only little attention to date but is potentially of tremendous significance for growth performance under stress because stomata are openings on leaf surfaces that regulate intake of CO2 for photosynthesis and water loss through transpiration. The reduction of stomatal aperture under salt induced (water) stress is an effective adjustment to salinity that must be necessarily maintained. Effects of ionic stress on guard cells are merely studied. Most studies are based on whole leaves and, thus, do not have the basis to provide new insights into guard cell stress responses and, in particular, upon effects of salt enrichment in the guard cell walls. Our recent pilot experiments on epidermal peels suggested that some of the Na+ and Cl- is taken up into guard cells under long term NaCl stress. When Na+ and Cl- are absorbed, guard cells react sensitively and can therefore have secondary effects on the entire metabolism. The accumulation of salt ions as well as the decrease in potassium, that is well known to be a side effect of Na+ accumulation, will certainly interfere with guard cells physiology because potassium is a crucial regulator for stomatal movements. Our analysis will be done on the basis of individual guard cells to increase the spatial information about the cell type-specific physiological responses. The use of the latest high-resolution methods (EDX, SIMS) enables an analysis of the ionic composition of the individual guard cells.

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funded by: DFG

in progress since: 2022

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Roman Hartwig
Dr. Monika Wimmer
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Brief Description:

In Central Europe, transient drought spells are predicted to increase due to climate change. So-called “stress imprints” describe modifications in plants that occur after a stress event and improved responses to subsequent stresses. Such modifications are in the focus of this project. Root exudates are altered under drought stress to facilitate root growth into the drying soil, but it remains an open question (i) whether physiological drought stress imprints related to root exudation occur in the rhizophere, (ii) in which spatio-temporal pattern root exudation responds to stress severity, duration and stress onset type, and (iii) how metabolic re-organization of the root system in response to drought affects post-stress plant performance with respect to stress resilience and nutrient uptake.This project addresses four hypotheses: (1) physiological drought stress imprints occur in the rhizosphere and are mediated by altered root exudation; (2) the extent of these imprints depends on the speed of onset, severity and duration of the drought event and concomittant damage to the photosystem; (3) these imprints lead to spatio-temporal re-distribution of resources towards the root and (4) they affect post-stress plant performance with respect to water and nutrient uptake. In this project, plants are exposed to different drought stress types including different intensities, durations and speeds of progression. Exudate production is determined by collecting exudates and composition is assessed by LC-MS analyses. Photosynthesis-related processes are monitored during the progression of drought, and damage to the photosystem is assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence and biochemical stress markers. The persistence of the stress imprints is determined by time course analysis during re-watering. In a rhizobox setup, one half of the roots is exposed to a single, and one half to recurrent drought drought spells. Root exudates are collected from both root halves and metabolic reorganisation of the whole plant as well as metabolic crosstalk between the root halves is monitored using a proteomic approach. Post stress plant performance is analysed by assessing the recovery time for water relations in the plant and uptake of nutrients, complemented by expression studies of aquaporins and selected nutrient transporters. The pot experiments are complemented by similar analyses of exudates collected from root windows in the field.The outcomes of these studies will provide information on the spatio-temporal interplay between drought-induced changes in photosynthetic processes aboveground, and their lasting imprints on rhizosphere-based processes belowground, mediated by alterations in root exudates. They help to gain a mechanistic understanding of underlying metabolic responses of the system root/shoot which may lead to an improved post-stress performance under conditions of sub-optimum growth conditions after drought.

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funded by: DFG

in progress since: 2022

Persons involved:
Dr. Markus Dier
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Brief Description:

Grain protein concentration is the most important quality characteristic for assessing the baking quality of wheat. To achieve high grain protein concentrations, high nitrogen (N) inputs are applied. However, this is often associated with high N losses to the environment with negative environmental impacts. In modern wheat cultivars, however, the baking volume could be more influenced by grain protein composition than by concentration. For instance, there are clear differences in baking volumes between cultivars at the same protein concentration. Moreover, some cultivars show a saturation curve between baking volume and protein concentration with a non-increase of baking volume from a concentration of about 12%, whereas others display a linear relationship.

This project investigates which changes in grain protein composition caused by N supply result in an increase or decrease of baking quality. In addition, the extent to which N fertilization can be reduced in cultivars that exhibit a saturation curve between baking volume and protein concentration without loss of baking volume is investigated. The questions are investigated in a field experiment with five N levels and nine cultivars that showed a saturation curve or a linear relationship between baking volume and protein concentration in previous studies.

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funded by: Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE)

in progress since: 2020

Persons involved:
Dr. Maria Luisa Romo Pérez
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

In cooperation with:
Dr. Christoph Weinert (MRI Karlsruhe)
Prof. Dr. Sabine Kulling (MRI Karlsruhe)

Partner:
Kleinhohenheim

Brief Description:

A diminishing variety of vegetables is the noticeable consequence of the increasing demand for some well-known hybrid varieties. As a result, landraces are becoming extinct. The Department of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables of the Max Rubner-Institut and the University of Hohenheim (Institute of Crop Science, Quality of Plant Products, Prof. C. Zörb) have recently performed a pilot study to investigate the suitability of onion landraces for the use in organic farming as well as the storability of organically produced onion bulbs [1-2]. The ZwiebÖL project aims to continue and broaden these preliminary investigations by means of sixth work packages (WP). Firstly, a survey of the current state of onion cultivation in Germany will be performed by registering the spectrum of onion varieties currently used in conventional and organic farming in different growing regions (WP1). Next, field trials in two consecutive years on two different growing sites will be performed with 4-6 landraces and hybrid cultivars under organic farming conditions to determine the agronomic and quality parameters as well as sensory attributes of the investigated varieties in a comparative manner (WP2). Storability of the bulbs under cold storage conditions will be investigated in WP3. Fresh as well as stored onion bulbs will then be analysed comprehensively to determine the profiles of volatile and non-volatile onion constituent in the fresh state and after cold storage and to describe thus differences between landraces and hybrids (WP4/5). In collaboration with actors like the Association German Onion and the organic farming associations, a knowledge transfer will be organised to put the acquired knowledge into practice (WP6).

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funded by: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung; Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (FZJ), Projektträger Jülich (PTJ)

in progress since: 2021

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Azin Rekowski
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

In cooperation with:
Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schnell, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Dr. Stefan Rutering, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Santiago Andrés Quiroga Quisaguano, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Partner:
Kleinhohenheim, Heidfeldhof

Brief Description:

Wheat and barley production will be optimized under low energy input in organic farming at two experimental field stations of University Giessen and University Hohenheim. Effects of root densities (row distance), two nutrients fertilization regimes and seed inoculation of the plant growth promotion bacterium Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus strain E19 will be analyzed in wheat as an important winter crop and in the summer crop barley. Quality parameters of produced grains differ for the two crops. For baking wheat protein quality and quantity is important while for malting barley high starch content is required. The quality and quantity parameter of the grains will be related to their root system and rhizosphere microbiome under the different treatments. The root and rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community will be metabarcode sequenced and it is expected to be specific for the two crop plants and less affected by the two soil types and locations. We aim to analyze the implication of root competition, nutrient limitation and seed inoculation on the microbiome under field conditions. Root competition will be analyzed using two different row distances under a low and optimal nitrogen fertilization regime. Root architecture and biomass will be linked to microbiome analysis and grain quality and quantity. Our results will be used for identification of optimal parameter for sustainable wheat and barley production and will lead to a bioeconomic evaluation and a knowledge based possible transfer to practice.

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funded by: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft

in progress since: 2019

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Alex Kröper
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Project Coordinators:
Dr. Annegret Pflugfelder
Dr. Sabine Zikeli
Dr. Sabine Gruber †

Brief Description:

The overall goal of the “LinSel” project is to provide farmers with lentil genotypes that are well adapted to Central European growing conditions. This should increase yields, yield security and quality, and as a result expand the range of lentil cultivation. As part of the project, genotypes are identified, selected and further developed and tested in order to achieve an optimal fit for cultivation systems in Germany, thereby establishing lentils as a “new” old legume crop. Cultivation of lentils is also sought beyond the traditional range. The results of the project can expand the product portfolio of breeders, farmers and consumers with a leguminous cash crop ideally suited for resource-conserving mixed cultivation and in organic farming. Project coordination lies with the Center for Organic Agriculture at the University of Hohenheim. Project partners are the Institute for Crop Science at the University of Hohenheim, focusing on general crop production and quality of crop production, the Genbank Department of the Leibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, the Keyserlink Institute, and the Department of Section of Organic Plant Breeding and Agrobiodiversity of the University of Kassel.

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in progress since: 2019

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Markus Kränzlein
M. Sc. Patrick Lehr
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb
Dr. Monika Wimmer

In cooperation with:
Prof. S. Schmöckel, University of Hohenheim (340k)
Prof. Dr. Waltraud Schulze, University of Hohenheim (190)

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in progress since: 2014

Persons involved:
Dr. Xudong Zhang
Dr. Monika Wimmer
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Brief Description:
Stress physiological processes under salt stress in maize, especially chloride effects.

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funded by: BLE-Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung

in progress since: 2018

Persons involved:
M.Sc. Melissa Kleb
Dr. sc. agr. Nikolaus Merkt
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb

Participating institutions:
Institut für Agrartechnik, FG Tropen und Subtropen (440e)
GEOsens GmbH LVWO Weinsberg Felsengartenkellerei Besigheim e.G.

Brief Description:

In viticulture, prediction systems for grapevine diseases represent an important component in plant protection and disease control. "FungiSens" is mainly concerned with the pathogen Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew). The main objective of this project is to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of the forecasting systems. This will be done by recording the microclimate in the vineyard and incorporating thermal, multi-spectral and hyperspectral information at the plot level.

Once high-resolution disease detection is secured, measures can be taken to reduce the use of pesticides, machinery, and labor time. This enables a temporally and spatially precise application that is superior to current professional practice in terms of cost and efficiency. This includes the reduction of pesticides while reducing machine hours and maintaining efficacy, which directly reduces chemical pollution, fuel consumption, soil contamination and greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, the likelihood of pests developing resistance to common active ingredients is significantly reduced because they are applied at much lower rates. 

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in progress since: 2015

Persons involved:
Dr. sc. agr. Nikolaus Merkt
Prof. Dr. Christian Zörb
M.Sc. Patrick Lehr

Partners involved:
Prof. Dr. Karsten Niehaus (CeBiTec, Uni Bielefeld)

Brief Description:

Study of metabolites, plant hormones, aromatic compounds, and physiological parameters in relation to the type of vine training system used.

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