seit 2021Wissenschaftliche Leiterin der Hessischen Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen (Lehr- und Versuchsbetrieb der Universität Kassel)
seit 2021Leiterin des Fachgebiets Ökologischer Land- und Pflanzenbau der Universität Kassel
2019Kurzzeitdozentur an der Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Laranjeiras do Sul, Paraná, Brasilien
2018 - 2021Wissenschaftliche Assistentin am Institut für Nutzpflanzenwissenschaften und Ressourcenschutz, Abteilung Agrarökologie und Organischer Landbau (INRES-AOL), Universität Bonn
2017 - 2018Eigene Stelle im Rahmen der DFG-Nachwuchsakademie „Bodenressourcen und Pflanzenproduktion“ am INRES-AOL und am Institut für Organischen Landbau (IOL), Universität Bonn
2011 - 2017Koordinatorin DFG Forschergruppe 1320/PAK 888 „Crop Sequence and the Nutrient Acquisition from the Subsoil“ am IOL, Universität Bonn, mit zwei Unterbrechungen durch Elternzeit
2011Promotion zum Thema „Produktqualität von Salatrauke (Eruca sativa L.) und Weizen (Triticum aestivum L.): Einfluss von Einstrahlungsintensität, Stickstoffangebot, Düngungsart und Hornkieselapplikation auf Wachstum und Differenzierung“ am IOL, Universität Bonn (Prof. Dr. Ulrich Köpke)
2003 - 2007Studium der Agrarwissenschaften an der Universität Bonn. Vertiefung: Naturschutz und Landschaftsökologie
2003Honorarvertrag am Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., Müncheberg
2002Studium „Ingeniería Ambiental“ an der Universidad Católica Boliviana, Cochabamba, Bolivien
2000 - 2003Studium „Environmental and Resource Management“ an der Universität Cottbus
  • Gesellschaft für Pflanzenbauwissenschaften (GPW)
  • Deutsche Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft (DBG)
  • Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV)
  • Albrecht-Daniel-Thaer-Gesellschaft
  • Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos der Universität Kassel
  • FiBL Deutschland (Vorstand)
  • Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft

  • DFG-Senatskommission Transformation von Agrar- und Ernährungssystemen

  • Mitglied des Expert:innengremiums WiBiLa (Wissensplattform für die Biodiversitätsberatung in der Landwirtschaft - bundesweit informieren*weiterbilden*vernetzen“)

  • 2024-2028 Gewähltes Mitglied der Fachkollegien der DFG; 2.31 -, Agrar- und Forstwissenschaften und Tiermedizin

  • Wurzelökologie
  • Wurzel-Boden-Interaktionen
  • Unterbodenmanagement
  • Resilienz Boden und Pflanze
  • Lebensmittelqualität
  • Agroforstwirtschaft
  • Naturschutz im Ökologischen Landbau
  • G11 - Ökologische Landbausysteme (SoSe)
  • G19 - Spezieller Pflanzenbau, Grünland (SoSe)
  • H21 - Bodenfruchtbarkeit, Nährstoffkreisläufe (SoSe)
  • L03 - Studienkolloquium (So/WiSe)
  • G07 - Projektwochen Ökologie und Einführung in Agrarsysteme (WiSe)
  • Ökologie und Einführung in Agrarsysteme (WiSe)
  • L23 - Nährstoffkreisläufe, Öko- und Energiebilanzen (WiSe)
  • L31 - Spezielle Aspekte der Ökologischen Landwirtschaft (WiSe)

Projekte

Publikationen

  • Steng K, Fichtl L, Athmann M, Gattinger A, Döring J (2026): Long-term vineyard management systems shape soil moisture dynamics, nitrogen cycling, and grapevine root distribution. European Journal of Agronomy, 180, 128201. 10.1016/j.eja.2026.128201
  • Nyameasem JK, Möller M, Andrino A, Athmann M, Brüggemann N, Kautz T, Gentsch N, Schlotter D, Ulrich M, Seidel SJ (2026): Climate Efficiency of Long-Term Nutrient Management: Cross-Site Greenhouse Gas Responses in Temperate Cropping Systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 409: 110519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110519
  • Petzoldt L, Athmann M, Kautz T (2025): Earthworm linings induce stronger lateral gradients of Ct, Nt, and cereal root growth from macropore towards bulk soil than root debris. Rhizosphere, 101208. https://doi.org/10.1016/jr.rhisph.2025.101208
  • Behrend D, Athmann M, Perkons U, Küpper PM, Han E, Bauke S, Köpke U, Kautz T, Gaiser T, Seidel S (2025): How do biopores created by fodder crops affect the growth of following main crops? Synthesis of multiple field experiments. Field Crops Research 322: 109687 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109687
  • 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
  • Arslan, M., Kemper, R., Döring, T. F., Schmittmann, O., & Athmann, M. (2026). Effects of biological and technical subsoil amelioration on root growth and crop performance in cereal crops. Soil and Tillage Research, 256, 106907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2025.106907
  • Petzoldt L, Athmann M, Kautz T (2025): Earthworm linings induce stronger lateral gradients of Ct, Nt, and cereal root growth from macropore towards bulk soil than root debris. Rhizosphere, 101208. https://doi.org/10.1016/jr.rhisph.2025.101208
  • 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
  • Seidel SJ, Gaiser T, Srivastava AK, Leitner D, Schmittmann O, Athmann M, Kautz T, Guigue J, Ewert F and Schnepf A (2022) Simulating Root Growth as a Function of Soil Strength and Yield With a Field-Scale Crop Model Coupled With a 3D Architectural Root Model. Front. Plant Sci. 13:865188. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.865188
  • Lopez G, Ahmadi SH, Amelung W, Athmann M, Ewert F, Gaiser T, Gocke MI, Kautz T, Postma J, Rachmilevitch S, Schaaf G, Schnepf A, Stoschus A, Watt M, Yu P and Seidel SJ (2023) Nutrient deficiency effects on root architecture and root-to-shoot ratio in arable crops. Front. Plant Sci. 13: 1067498 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1067498

  • Fritz J, Athmann M, Bornhütter R, Busscher N, Geier U, Mergardt G, Scherr C, Doesburg P (2022) Analytical perception and kinesthetic engagement in evaluation of copper chloride crystallization patterns of wheat, grape juice and rocket samples from conventional, organic and biodynamic cultivation. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 9: 103, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-022-00361-9

    Smith AG, Han E, Petersen J, Faircloth Olsen NA, Giese C, Athmann M, Dresbøll DB, Thorup-Kristensen K (2022): RootPainter: Deep learning segmentation of biological images with corrective annotation. New Phytologist, doi: 10.1111/nph.18387 https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.18387

  • Han E, Kirkegaard J, White R, Smith AG, Thorup-Kristensen K, Kautz T, Athmann M (2022): Deep learning with multisite data reveals the lasting effects of soil type, tillage and vegetation history on biopore genesis. Geoderma 425: 116072
  • 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.