Junior research group on water-saving vegetable production along the value chain in North Hesse (Bio-Klima-Gemüse) 2024-2026
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Junior research group on water-saving organic vegetable production along the value chain in northern Hesse (2024-2026)
Project objective:
Compared to many arable crops, vegetables have a high water requirement. Limited water availability can result in serious yield losses during periods of drought. For this reason, water-saving cultivation methods are being researched in this project in order to make vegetable cultivation sustainable. In cooperation with the Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen, flatter and wider carrot ridges instead of single ridges and the mulching of vegetable growing areas with organic material (cereal-legume cuttings) for the carrot and leek crops are being investigated. The leek mulching trials are also being carried out on two Paxis farms. In order to introduce these cultivation methods into practice, both individual farm profitability and climate-adapted sales channels for fresh vegetables, including further processing (washing, peeling, cutting, preserving), are important. New processing options offer opportunities to strengthen the regional sales market and thus the cultivation methods. The challenges and opportunities of marketing structures for regional vegetables from climate-adapted production methods (organic climate vegetables) are to be uncovered with the help of network analyses, consumer surveys and workshops. The project will thus work along the entire value chain for organic climate vegetables in North Hesse.
Runtime
01.02.2024 - 30.11.2026
Participants in the FÖL
Other participants:
- Prof. Dr. Detlev Möller, University of Kassel, Section Business Administration
- Prof. Dr. Bettina König, University of Kassel, section Sustainability Management in the International Food Industry
- Hanna Pohlmann, University of Kassel, section Sustainability Management in the International Food Industry
- Prof. Dr. Katrin Zander, University of Kassel, Section Agricultural and Food Marketing
- Joachim Keil, Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen
- Andreas Backfisch, Rote Rübe Schwarzer Rettich
- Jenny Wintzer, Falkenhof
Promotion
Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Eco Action Plan
Fact sheet - Climate-adapted organic vegetable cultivation in northern Hesse - from the field to the plate (Bio-Klima-Gemüse)
Article: Vegetable growing manages climate change -> Entire supply chain must participate
Vegetable growing manages climate change
-> The entire supply chain must participate
Article from the Bio-Klima-Gemüse project in the Bioland trade magazine 04/2026
Organic climate vegetables project at WITA 2026: Mulch, irrigation and strategic management approaches in climate-resilient vegetable production
The Organic Climate Vegetable Project presented current results for climate-resilient vegetable production at the 18th Organic Agriculture Science Conference (WITA 2026). In presentations, young scientists Hanna Pohlmann and Benjamin Ruch from the project reported on the effects of Wick triticale mulch and drip irrigation in leeks as well as the role of strategic management in climate strategies for vegetable production. In addition, a workshop contribution on compost, transfer mulch and catch crops discussed approaches, conflicting goals and strategies for adaptation measures to dry periods.
The contributions to the presentations can also be found in the WITA conference proceedings, edited by Kemper, R., M. Athmann, A. Häring, D. Neuhoff, M. Müller-Lindenlauf, L. Schmitz, C. Stumm, I. Tiemann & T.F. Döring [eds.], (2026) Tagungsband zur 18. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Widerspruch begegnen - viele Antworten, ein Ökolandbau. March 3-6, 2026 at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn. https://doi.org/10.48565/qysm-nt77.
In it:
- Pohlmann, H., Schmidt, T. & König, B. (2026): Climate-resilient vegetable production and the role of strategic management - a systematic literature review. S. 318-321.
- Ruch, B., Athmann, M. & Hefner, M. (2026): Increasing yield, water productivity, N dynamics and microbial activity in leeks by Wick-Triticale mulch and drip irrigation. S- 42-43.
Further information on the Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture (WITA 2026) at: https: //wissenschaftstagung.de/
Field day at our demo farm - red beet-black radish on 11.09.2025
Field day at our demo farm - red beet-black radish on 11.09.2025
26 participants from four federal states met for an exchange of experiences, a tour and exciting discussions.
Program field day red beet-black radish - 11.09.2026
Field day at our demo farm - Falkenhof Strothe on 26.09.2024
Field day at our demo farm - Falkenhof Strothe on 26.09.2024
With 19 participants from all over Hesse and neighboring NRW, an interesting and lively event with field tours, lectures and informative discussions.
Program field day Falkenhof Strothe - 26.09.2024
Organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" 18.07.2024 from Hessischer Rundfunk
The contribution starts at minute 1:52
Organic climate vegetable project on the radio!
hessenschau
Research project at the University of Kassel Vegetable cultivation in a changing climate: mulch does the trick
Article in the magazine "über bio"
Organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" 14.03.2024 from Hessischer Rundfunk
Margita Hefner presented the organic climate vegetables project in the program "alle wetter!" by Hessischer Rundfunk. The program starts at the 8th minute.