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since 2021Scientific director of the Hessian State Domain Frankenhausen (teaching and experimental farm of the University of Kassel)
since 2021Head of the Department of Organic Agriculture and Crop Production at the University of Kassel
2019Short-term lectureship at the Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Laranjeiras do Sul, Paraná, Brazil
2018 - 2021Research assistant at the Institute of Crop Sciences and Resource Conservation, Department of Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (INRES-AOL), University of Bonn, Germany
2017 - 2018Own position within the DFG Junior Researcher Academy "Soil Resources and Plant Production" at INRES-AOL and the Institute of Organic Agriculture (IOL), University of Bonn
2011 - 2017Coordinator DFG Research Unit 1320/PAK 888 "Crop Sequence and the Nutrient Acquisition from the Subsoil" at the IOL, University of Bonn, with two interruptions due to parental leave
2011PhD on "Product quality of salad rocket (Eruca sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Influence of irradiance, nitrogen supply, fertilization type and horn silica application on growth and differentiation" at IOL, University of Bonn (Prof. Dr. Ulrich Köpke).
2003 - 2007Study of agricultural sciences at the University of Bonn. Specialization: Nature conservation and landscape ecology
2003Honorary contract at the Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V., Müncheberg
2002Studies "Ingeniería Ambiental" at the Universidad Católica Boliviana, Cochabamba, Bolivia
2000 - 2003Studies "Environmental and Resource Management" at the University of Cottbus, Germany
  • Society for Crop Science (GPW)
  • German Soil Science Society (DBG)
  • German University Association (DHV)
  • Albrecht Daniel Thaer Society
  • Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos of the University of Kassel
  • FiBL Germany (Board of Directors)
  • Future Commission for Agriculture
  • DFG Senate Commission Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems
  • Member of the expert committee WiBiLa (knowledge platform for biodiversity consulting in agriculture - inform*educate*network nationwide)
  • 2024-2028 Elected member of the DFG Review Boards; 2.31 -, Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
  • Root Ecology
  • Root-soil interactions
  • Subsoil management
  • Soil and plant resilience
  • Food quality
  • Agroforestry
  • Nature conservation in organic farming
  • G11 - Organic farming systems (SoSe)
  • G19 - Special crop production, grassland (SoSe)
  • H21 - Soil fertility, nutrient cycles (SoSe)
  • L03 - Study colloquium (So/WiSe)
  • G07 - Project Weeks Ecology and Introduction to Agricultural Systems (WiSe)
  • Ecology and Introduction to Agricultural Systems (WiSe)
  • L23 - Nutrient Cycles, Eco- and Energy Balances (WiSe)
  • L31 - Special Aspects of Organic Agriculture (WiSe)

Projects

Publications

  • Möller M, Sarazin T, Schmidt O, Bruns C, Joergensen RG, Wachendorf C, Athmann M (2026): Earthworm abundance, biomass and species composition in mixed and stockless organic farming systems: evidence after a six-year crop rotation. Applied Soil Ecology 224: 107135 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.107135
  • Barthel S, Athmann M, Darienko T, Rybalka N, Olberg B, Lorenz M und Friedl T (2026) Soil algae in arable land: changes in the genotypic community composition across time points and farming systems—a pilot study https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1813833
  • Kampmann K, Gebhardt V, Franzisky BL, Kammann C, Athmann M, Geilfus CM (2025) Strip intercropping of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with coriander (Coriandrum sativum) improves wheat yield and water-use efficiency under reduced irrigation. Journal of sustainable agriculture and environment e70098, https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70121
  • Felix Milke, Heberto Rodas-Gaitan, Georg Meissner, Vincent Masson, Meike Oltmanns, Morten Möller, Yvette Wohlfahrt, Boris Kulig, Alberto Acedo, Miriam Athmann, Jürgen Fritz, Enrichment of putative plant growth promoting microorganisms in biodynamic compared with organic agriculture soils, ISME Communications, Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2024, ycae021, https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycae021
  • Bauke S, Seidel SJ, Athmann M, Berns AE, Braun M, Gocke MI, Guigue J, Kautz T, Kögel-Knabner I, Ohan J, Rillig MC, Schloter M, Schmittmann O, Schulz S, Uhlig D, Schnepf A, Amelung W: Short-term effects of subsoil management by strip-wise loosening and incorporation of organic material. Soil and Tillage Research 236: 105936, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105936
  • Kemper R, Döring TF, Legner N, Meinen C, Athmann M (2023): Oil radish, winter rye and crimson clover: root and shoot performance in cover crop mixtures. Plant and Soil https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-023-06240-y
  • Kemper R, Döring TF, Legner N, Meinen C, Athmann M (2022) Root traits in cover crop mixtures of blue lupin and winter rye. Plant and Soil, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05366-9
  • Bublitz TA, Kemper R, Müller P, Kautz T, Döring TF, Athmann M (2022): Relating profile wall root-length density estimates to monolith root-length density measurements of cover crops. Agronomy 12 (48): https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010048
  • Athmann M, Bornhütter R, Busscher N, Doesburg P, Geier U, Mergardt G, Scherr C, Köpke U, Fritz J (2021): An update on image forming methods: Structure analysis and Gestalt evaluation of images from rocket lettuce with shading, N supply, organic or mineral fertilization and biodynamic preparations. Organic Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-021-00347-1
  • Han E, Smith AG, Kemper R, White R, Kirkegaard J, Thorup-Kristensen K, Athmann M (2021). Digging roots is easier with AI. Journal of Experimental Botany: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erab174
  • Han E, Li F, Perkons U, Küpper PM, Bauke SL, Athmann M, Thorup-Kristensen K, Kautz T, Köpke U (2021): Can precrop deep roots deliver subsoil P and K to subsequently grown spring wheat? Plant and Soil: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04910-3
  • Doesburg P, Fritz J, Athmann M, Bornhütter R, Busscher N, Geier U, Mergardt G, Scherr C (2021): Kinesthetic engagement in Gestalt evaluation outscores analytical ‘atomic feature’ evaluation in perceiving aging in crystallization images of agricultural products. PLoS ONE 16(3): e0248124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248124
  • Koch M, Boselli R, Hasler M, Zörb C, Athmann M, Kautz T (2021): Root and shoot growth of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are differently affected by increasing subsoil pore density when grown under different subsoil moisture. Biology and Fertility of Soils. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-021-01597-7
  • Hadir S, Gaiser T, Hüging H, Athmann M, Pfarr D, Kemper R, Ewert F, Seidel SJ (2021): Sugar beet shoot and root phenotypic plasticity to nitrogen, phosphorous, potasiium and lime omission. Agriculture 11: 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11010021
  • Petzoldt L, Athmann M, Buechse A, Kautz T (2020): Root growth of Hordeum vulgare and Vicia faba in the biopore sheath. Submitted to Agriculture 10: 650. DOI: 10.3390/agriculture10120650
  • Huang N, Athmann M, Han E (2020): Biopore-induced deep root traits of two winter crops. Agriculture 10: 634, DOI: 10.3390/agriculture10120634
  • Kemper R, Bublitz TA, Müller P, Kautz T, Döring TF, Athmann M (2020): Vertical root distribution of different cover crops determined with the profile wall method. Agriculture 10: 503, DOI: 10.3390/agriculture10110503
  • Fritz J, Athmann M, Meissner G, Kauer R, Geier U, Bornhütter R, Schultz HR (2020): Quality assessment of grape juice from integrated, organic and biodynamic viticulture using image forming methods. OenoOne 54 (2): 373-391
  • Döring T, Rosslenbroich D, Giese C, Athmann M, Watson C, Vago I, Kátao J, Tállai M, Bruns C (2020): Disease suppressive soils vary in resilience to stress. Submitted to Applied Soil Ecology 149: 103482. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2019.103482
  • Meissner G, Athmann M, Fritz J, Kauer R, Stoll M, Schultz HR (2019): Conversion to organic and biodynamic viticultural practices: impact on soil, grapevine development and grape quality. OenoOne 53 (4), DOI: 10.20870/oeno-one.2019.53.4.2470
  • Seidel SJ, Gaiser T, Kautz T, Bauke SL, Amelung W, Barfus K, Ewert F, Athmann M (2019): Estimation of the impact of precrops and climate variability on soil depth-differentiated spring wheat growth and water, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake. Soil and Tillage Research 195: 104427, DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2019.104427
  • Athmann M, Sondermann J, Kautz T, Köpke U (2019): Comparing macropore exploration by faba bean, wheat, barley, and oilseed rape roots using in situ endoscopy. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 19: 689-700, DOI: 10.1007/s42729-019-00069-0
  • Jakobs I, Schmittmann O, Athmann M, Kautz T, Schulze Lammers P (2019): Crop response to deep tillage and incorporated organic fertilizer. Agronomy 9: 296, DOI: 10.3390/agronomy9060296
  • Landl M, Schnepf A, Uteau D, Peth S, Athmann M, Kautz T, Perkons U, Vereecken H, Vanderborght J (2019): Modeling the impact of biopores on root growth and root water uptake. Vadose Zone Journal 18 (1): DOI: 10.2136/vzj2018.11.0196
  • Dresemann T, Athmann M, Heringer L, Kautz T (2018) Effects of Continuous Vertical Soil Pores on Root and Shoot Growth of Winter Wheat: A Microcosm Study. Agricultural Sciences 9: 750-764.
  • Fritz J, Athmann M, Andersen JO, Doesburg P, Geier U, Mergardt G (2018) Advanced panel training on visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization images: ranking wheat samples from different extract decomposition stages and different production systems. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 35: 21-32.
  • Uksa M, Buegger F, Gschwendtner S, Lueders T, Kublik S, Kautz T, Athmann M, Köpke U, Schloter M, Fischer D (2017): Bacteria utilizing plant-derived carbon in the rhizosphere of Triticum aestivum change in different depths of an arable soil. Environmental Microbiology Reports 9: 729-741.
  • Fritz J, Athmann M, Meissner G, Kauer R, Köpke U (2017): Quality characterization via image forming methods differentiates grape juice produced from integrated, organic or biodynamic vineyards in the first year after conversion. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 33: 195-213.
  • Athmann M, Kautz T, Banfield C, Bauke S, Hoang D T T, Lüsebrink M, Pausch J, Amelung W, Kuzyakov Y, Köpke U (2017): Six months of L. terrestris L. activity in root-formed biopores increases nutrient availability, microbial biomass and enzyme activity. Applied Soil Ecology 120: 135-142.
  • Uksa M, Schloter M, Kautz T, Athmann M, Köpke U, Fischer D (2015): Spatial variability of hydrolytic and oxidative potential extracellular enzyme activities in different subsoil compartments. Biology and Fertility of Soils 51: 517-521.
  • Köpke U, Athmann M, Han E, Kautz T (2015): Optimising cropping techniques for nutrient and environmental management in organic agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture Research 4 (3): 15-25.
  • Pagenkemper S K, Athmann M, Uteau D, Kautz T, Peth S, Horn R (2015): The effect of earthworm activity on soil bioporosity – investigated with X-ray computed tomography and endoscopy. Soil and Tillage Research 146: 79-88.      
  • Doesburg P, Huber M, Andersen J O, Athmann M, van der Bie G, Fritz J, Geier U, Hoekman J, Kahl J, Mergardt G, Busscher N (2015): Standardization and performance of a visual Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization patterns reflecting ripening and decomposition processes in food samples. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 31: 128-145.
  • Perkons U, Kautz T, Uteau D, Peth S, Geier V, Thomas K, Lütke Holz K, Athmann M, Pude R, Köpke U (2014): Root-length densities of various annual crops following crops with contrasting root systems. Soil and Tillage Research 137: 50–57.
  • Kautz T, Lüsebrink M, Pätzold S, Vetterlein D, Pude R, Athmann M, Küpper P M, Perkons U, Köpke U (2014): Contribution of anecic earthworms to biopore formation during cultivation of perennial ley crops. Pedobiologia 57: 47-52.
  • Athmann M, Kautz T, Pude R, Köpke U (2013): Root growth in biopores - evaluation with in situ endoscopy. Plant and Soil 371: 179-190.
  • Kautz T, Perkons U, Athmann M, Pude R, Köpke U (2013): Barley roots are not constrained to biopores in the subsoil of a deep Haplic luvisol. Biology and Fertility of Soils 49: 959-963.
  • Fritz J, Athmann M, Kautz T, Köpke U (2011): Grouping and classification of wheat from organic and conventional production systems by combining three image forming methods. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 27: 320-336.
  • Ittner, S., Gerdes, H., Athmann, M., Bauke, S. L., Gocke, M., Guigue, J., Jaiswal, S., Kautz, T., Schmittmann, O., Schulz, S., Seidel, S. (2020). The impact of subsoil management on the delivery of ecosystem services. BonaRes Series. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20387/bonares-bszh-qbkn
  • Seidel SJ, Gaiser T, Athmann M, Kautz T, Amelung W, Barfus K, Ewert F (2018): Effect of precrops and climate variability on subsoil water and nutrient uptake of spring wheat. 2nd ISMC Conference: New Perspectives on Soil Models. Wageningen University, November 5 - 7, 2018, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
  • Athmann M, Fritz J, Köpke U (2018): Produktqualität von Salatrauke: Wie wirken Einstrahlungsintensität, N-Angebot, Düngungsart und Hornkieselapplikation auf Wachstum und Differenzierung? [Product quality of rocket lettuce: What are the effects of solar radiation, N supply, fertilizer type and horn silica application on growth and differention?] Lebendige Erde 3: 36-42.
  • Kahl J, Andersen JO, Athmann M, Busscher N, Doesburg P, Fritz J, Geier U, Mergardt G (2015): Laboratory intercomparison for biocrystallization (crystallization with additives) applied to different wheat varieties. Elemente der Naturwissenschaft 102: 5-13.
  • Kautz T, Athmann M, Köpke U (2012): Data gathering for modeling the nutrient acquisition from the subsoil: Carbon and nitrogen contents of the drilosphere. Eurosoil, 4th international congress of the European confederation of soil science societies, 02-06 July 2012, Bari – Italy.
  • Athmann M, Schneider H, Uteau D, Peth S, Horn R (2012): Investigation of the root-soil interface in subsoil with X-ray tomography and quantitative image analysis. 19th ISTRO-conference, international congress of the International Soil Tillage Research Organisation, September 24-28, 2012, Montevideo – Uruguay.
  • Athmann M, Kautz T, Neuhoff D, Köpke U (2011): Prozesskomponenten der Nährstoffakquisition aus dem Unterboden [Process components of nutrient acquisition from the subsoil]. Poster Jahrestagung der Deutschen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft [Annual meeting of the German Society of Soil Science], September 3-9, 2011, Berlin and Potsdam, Germany.
  • Fritz J, Athmann M (2009): Biodynamischer Rebbau – ändert sich der Saft? Untersuchung mit Bildschaffenden Methoden [Biodynamic viticulture: Does it change the juice?]. Lebendige Erde 5: 38-42.
  • Deittert C, Müller-Lindenlauf M, Athmann M, Köpke U (2008): Ökobilanz und Wirtschaftlichkeit ökologisch wirtschaftender Milchviehbetriebe mit unterschiedlicher Fütterungsintensität und Produktionsstruktur  [Life cycle assessment and economic performance of organic dairy farms with different feeding intensity and production structure]. Final report BÖL, University of Bonn, Institute of Organic Agriculture, www.orgprints.org/13567/1/13567-03OE414-iol_uni_bonn-2008-deittert-oekobilanz_milchvieh.pdf.