Acetone and methanol are two important starting materials used in the production of chemicals - including solvents. In many cases, they are still made from fossil raw materials such as crude oil. In the DESMOL2PRO project, an international research team involving the University of Magdeburg is now researching new approaches to the production of sustainable chemicals.
Regenerative agriculture is becoming increasingly important as it offers both ecological and economic benefits. This agricultural approach specifically promotes the build-up of humus in the soil, which binds carbon, improves soil quality, strengthens biodiversity and enables stable yields. In contrast to conventional agriculture, it regenerates natural ecosystems instead of merely utilising them.
The process of breeding new plants is expensive and requires a lot of time and resources - because the genomes have to be carefully adapted for each individual species. This limits genetic improvements. The SyncSol research project at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI MP) aims to develop a universal chloroplast genome that will increase efficiency and diversity in plant breeding. It has now received £9.1 million (approx. 11 million euros) in funding from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).
Yellow rust, also known as stripe rust, is caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and is one of the most dangerous diseases in wheat cultivation. Around 88% of global bread wheat production is potentially affected by the pathogen. An international research team led by the University of Zurich (UZH) has now identified two genome segments in Asian wheat varieties that give the plants natural resistance to the disease.
Droughts and other consequences of climate change are putting a strain on agriculture. This is why the cultivation method of agroforestry - already long established in the tropics and subtropics - is increasingly being used in European agricultural systems. This is because the integration of trees and shrubs with arable farming and livestock farming on the same land promotes biodiversity and protects against climate risks.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are no longer only installed on roofs, but also on farmland and grassland. A growing variant of this is agrivoltaics - the generation of solar power on agricultural land: solar panels between fruit trees, vines or cows. The study published in the journal Land Use Policy now shows that agrivoltaics are better accepted by the population than normal ground-mounted solar systems. This result is based on an online survey of almost 2,000 people from Germany.
The facade walls of buildings are usually made of metal, concrete or wood. They protect, but hardly interact with their surroundings. However, they could take on an important function in the future - if their utilisation is adapted. For example, through microorganisms that not only protect the materials from weathering, but also store CO2 and filter pollutants from the air.
Every year, pests and pathogens cause 17-30% crop losses worldwide. At the same time, the use of chemical pesticides favours the development of resistance, contributes to the decline in biodiversity and contaminates the soil.