Cultivation and analysis of anthocyanins containing-, blue potatoes

Anthocyanins, as secondary plant substance in different agricultural crops such as potatoes and cereals have positive effects on health due to their antioxidant capacity. Therefore food industry, nutritional medicine and consumers have an increasing interest in these crops. The objectives of the interdisciplinary research project (AGIP) starting in march 2006 are ascertainment and assessment of the impact of different agricultural production processes and production intensities. Furthermore, the impact of different ways of food preparation concerning anthocyanin content and antioxidative capacity in selected cultivated plants will be tested. Main focus will be on potatoes due to the fact that potatoes as a staple food are consumed in large quantities. Therefore potatoes can be an important quantitative source for anthocyanins

Bestimmung der N-Fixierung unterschiedlicher Wintererbsengenotypen im Vergleich zu einer Sommererbse in Rein- und Gemengesaat

In organic farming the cultivation of leguminous crops is one of the most important sources of nitrogen (N). However, regarding the amount of N fixed, there are hardly any published data for winter peas. Therefore, the N fixation of five regular leafed winter peas types and one semi-leafless spring pea cultivar in single and mixed cropping (with winter rye spring cereals respectively) was measured in four successive growing seasons (2003/04 – 2006/07) at the experimental farm of the University of Kassel and in two consecutive vegetation periods (2005/06 - 2006/07) at the experimental farm of the University of Applied Science in Osnabrueck. The amount of N fixed was calculated according to the extended difference method at the beginning of flowering and at grain harvest. N fixation was usually higher for winter peas than for spring pea. At the beginning of flowering the amount of N fixed in pure stands was with a mean value of 92 kg ha-1 for winter peas and 29 kg ha-1 for the spring pea higher than in mixture with a mean value of 42 and 15 kg ha-1 respectively. At grain harvest the amount of N fixed for the spring pea in pure stands was higher than in mixtures with a mean of 65 and 33 kg ha-1 respectively. On the other hand the N fixation for winter peas was usually comparable in pure and mixed stands with a mean of 100 and 86 kg ha-1 respectively. This was a consequence of the higher pea grain yield in mixture than in pure stands and of a reduced biomass (leaves) loss in mixtures. Therefore, regular leaf winter peas can contribute to the N supply of the crop rotation better than spring peas

Einfluss von mechanischer Beikrautregulierung, Saattermin und Saatstärke auf den Ertrag von Wintertriticale und das Beikrautaufkommen im Ökologischen Landbau in Nordwest-Deutschland

Besides yield reduction weeds have positive effects, like enhancing biodiversity or reducing soil erosion. The aim of the work is to enhance biodiversity without yield losses. In growing season 2021/22 a field experiment with winter triticale was conducted to experience the impact of mechanical weed control, sowing date and sowing rate. Especially hoeing had a positive impact on vegetative growth and grain yield while weed growth was inhibited but weed biodiversity stayed equal or increased. A lower seed rate or an earlier sowing date made in general no difference at flowering or harvesting stage

Global and Regional Aspects of Climate Change

In einem Übersichtsvortrag werden Globale und Regionale Aspekte des Klimawandels dargelegt

Regional Research Collaboration for Sustainable Development: Formula to Success

Different aspects of regional collaboration use case

Strategies for water protection by optimised N management

Nitrogen (N) pollution of groundwater bodies is often a result of high livestock densities combined with use of mineral N fertilisers in Northwest Germany, specifically in combination with sandy soils and high amounts of precipitation. Organic agriculture is discussed as an alternative management practice reducing nitrogen losses due to area-based livestock densities and waiving of mineral N fertilisers. A field trial with integrated ceramic suction cups over three years showed potential for reduced N loads under conventional management specifically with organic fertilisation. Now, the field trial is under transition into organic farming with promising additional benefits for drinking water quality and the great potential to develop optimised N management strategies

Potential of mixed intercropping for enhanced brewing quality of malting barley (hordeum vulgare) under organic growing conditions in North-Western Germany

To assess the effect of intercropping on malting quality a field trial with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) and legume (pea) as well as non-legume (camelina and linseed) intercrops in two additive seeding ratios as well as sole cops was established in 2017 at the organic experimental station of University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück in North-Western Germany. Two tested malting barley cultivars (cv. Marthe and cv. Odilia) showed different performance, but all variants achieved brewing quality. Results after two years indicate that linseed and camelina were able to limit protein content. For best land-use efficiency of malting barley production intercropping with linseed showed best results. Mixed intercropping can help to promote internal efficiency loops and is therefore a promising sustainable intensification strategy for more resilient future crop production under changing climate conditions

Impact of fecal sludge and municipal solid waste co-compost on crop growth of Raphanus Sativus\textit {Raphanus Sativus} L. and Capsicum Anuum\textit {Capsicum Anuum} L. under stress conditions

Co-composted dewatered faecal sludge (FS) with organic fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) has a high potential to be used as an agricultural resource in Sri Lanka. In addition to options for cost recovery in waste management, closing the nutrient and carbon cycles between urban and rural areas, substitution of mineral fertilizers, reduced pollution. and the restoration of degraded arable land are possible with important benefits. Up to now little is known about the usage of FS-MSW as fertilizer and it needs to be studied in order to achieve a better understanding and generate application recommendations. The aim of these experiments has been to evaluate the possibility of substituting mineral fertilization. Two field experiments were conducted on sandy loam to assess the effects of MSW compost and FS-MSW co-compost, its pelletized forms, and mineral-enriched FS-MSW on crop growth. As a short-term crop $\textit {Raphanus sativus}$ "Beeralu rabu" (radish) was studied for 50 days in a randomized complete block design (RCDB). Results show that, under drought conditions, FS-MSW co-compost increased the yield significantly, while MSW and FS-MSW compost enabled the highest survival rate of the plants. Similarly, the second field trial with a long-term crop, $\textit {Capsicum anuum}$ "CA-8" (capsicum), was planted as RCBD, using the same treatments, for a cultivation period of 120 days. Results display that during a drought followed by water saturated soil conditions co-compost treatments achieved comparable yields and increased the survival rate significantly compared to the control, fertilized with urea, triple super phosphate, and muriate of potash. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) revealed that pelletizing decreased the monetary benefits if only fertilizer value is considered. It can be concluded that, under drought and water stress, co-compost ensures comparable yields and enables more resistance, but might not be economical viable as a one-crop fertilizer. These findings need to be validated with further trials under different climate regimes and soil