Agriculture sciences

Around one third of Germany's agricultural land is used for meadows and pastures. In its natural state, grassland is one of the world's most species-rich ecosystems and, according to experts, can even compete with the species richness of rainforests. Meadows and pastures are not only an important source of food for insects, they are also resistant to storms and can store carbon in the soil for a long time.

In view of a growing population and dwindling resources as a result of climate change, alternative protein sources are becoming increasingly important. A wide range is available: legumes, algae, fungi and insects, as well as proteins obtained by cell-based or fermentative processes, are suitable as a source of raw materials for a healthy, environmentally conscious and sustainable diet.

It comes in red, pink, creamy white - and now also in cinnamon, bright lemon yellow and even bicolor: the poinsettia. Originally from Central America, the tropical plant with the Latin name Euphorbia pulcherrima is the second most popular ornamental plant in this country after the orchid. And despite a wide range of colors - the red poinsettia is still considered the favorite.

The days when conventional cow's milk was the top seller in the refrigerated section are long gone. With oat, soy and almond milk, the protein-rich beverage is getting competition from plant-based products. Plant-based alternatives are also already available for other dairy products such as yogurt. The market is thereby serving a trend that experts believe will continue in the coming years.

The way we eat has a major impact on the environment and climate. Food production - including transport and storage - still consumes enormous amounts of water, energy and raw materials. However, the trend in food purchasing is moving toward sustainability. Regional and plant-based products are particularly in demand. Food innovations such as insect burgers or algae pasta are entering the market and showing how food production can become more environmentally friendly and sustainable in the future. 

For researchers, plant characteristics such as growth height, seed size, photosynthetic performance or flower color are crucial factors in finding out how plants adapt to their environment or how they can respond to future climatic changes. However, it it is not only the appearance of a plant that is crucial for its development, but also the invisible part - the root system. So what does the appearance of the plant reveal about the roots? Is there a connection between the upper and lower features?

Not only are petroleum-based plastics ecologically problematic, but also those that don't break down well in nature - because that's where a majority of them still end up. Agricultural mulch films, for example, are even deliberately used in the environment, where they usually leave behind residues. In the future, such products are therefore to be replaced by biodegradable plastics. But what exactly happens during degradation in the soil - and will it still work under changed climatic conditions?

The new Phytotechnikum at the University of Hohenheim addresses climate research and bioeconomics: Computer-controlled climate control and automatic irrigation, fine regulation for light intensity, humidity and temperature as well as variable lighting technology enable the Stuttgart researchers to work more flexibly in a wide range of fields. Climate change, biodiversity, world nutrition, bioenergy, renewable raw materials and plant health are topics that can be studied in the glass high-tech greenhouse on a wide variety of plants, including exotic ones.