Growing Knowledge
research projects
Research Projects
Our working group is currently running various research projects covering a broad range of horticultural topics. One particular focus is the development and optimization of specific cultivation systems and spaces including innovative technical solutions.
Current Research Projects
Hydrangea macrophylla ssp. Serrata, commonly known in Japan as ?Buddha-Tea”, contains valuable secondary metabolites. Up to now, no economical cultivation practice has been established, neither in Japan nor in Europe. The available genotypes have been collected in the wild and are not suitable for a profitable standardized production.
Aims of this project are the identification and implementation of conditions and methods for sustainable breeding, cultivation, harvesting and processing of Hydrangea species in the open or in greenhouses. Furthermore, a solid basis for the breeding of species with a higher content of valuable compounds, better growth and the possibility of open land cultivation should be set.
Our work package aiming at intensification of Hydrangea cultivation by developing and evaluating a greenhouse cultivation system is divided into three phases: (1.) Development of the cultivation system in the greenhouse (including optimization of substrate and cultivation conditions), (2.) specific induction of the biosynthesis of valuable metabolites and (3.) increasing productivity per area and calculating productivity parameters.
PhD Student: Matthias Preusche
Funding: BMEL
Funding Period: 2019-2022
Cooperation Partners: Symrise AG, Universit?t Bonn, FH Erfurt
There is a vast number of consequences on planet earth resulting from food production, especially phosphate and nitrogen cycles are in focus. Increasing agricultural production inspite of challenges such as limited phosphate resources, high energy requirements for the production of fertilizers and the eutrophication of soil and water bodies with phosphate and nitrogen has turned into a complex issue.
SUSKULT develops technological and political solutions as well as adaptive strategies for a circular, urban agricultural production. The major aim is to establish circular, urban agricultural production as an innovative and bio-based economical sector in Germany. Therefore, the researchers will develop a regenerative and local hydroponic food production system, which obtains the necessary resources, like water, nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, CO2 and heat, from modern sewage purification plant.
SUSKULT is a cooperation between researchers, economical partners and the civil society. The creation of new technological innovations will play a major role for the development of sustainable agricultural systems in the future.
Nevertheless, SUSKULT systems will only be successful as an integral part of a socio-economic transformation process. Besides yield and quality of horticultural products and technological innovations, the socio-economic chances, challenges and risks are considered key aspects of the process. The research consortium, made up of stakeholders from science, economy and the public, covers the whole value chain.
PhD Student: Sebastian Deck
Funding: BMBF
Coordinator: Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Partners:
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Umwelt-, Sicherheits- und Energietechnik (Dipl.-Ing. Volkmar Keuter, Projektkoordination)
- A3 water solutions GmbH (Dipl.-Biol. Ulrich Brü?)
- Deutsches Forschungszentrum für künstliche Intelligenz (Dr. Ansgar Bernadi)
- Emschergenossenschaft/Lippverband K.?.R. (Dr.-Ing. Sven Lyko)
- Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Reemtsma)
- Institut für Landes- und Stadtentwicklungsforschung (Dr.-Ing. Andrea Dittrich-Wesbuer)
- Justus-Liebig-Universit?t Gie?en (Dr. rer. pol. Sandra Schwindenhammer)
- Montan Universit?t Leoben (Prof. Dr. mont. Markus Ellersdorfer)
- TRILUX Lighting Solutions GmbH (Dipl.-Ing. Volker Neu)
- Ruhrverband K.?.R. (Dr.-Ing. Yvonne Schneider)
- Technische Universit?t Kaiserslautern (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heidrun Steinmetz)
- Yara GmbH & Co. KG. (Dr. Dejene Eticha)
Funding Period: 01-04-2019 - 31-03-2024
The project "Spotlight on Herbs" focuses on an innovative addition of existing light exposure scenarios of potted herbs (basil, parsley, dill) with LEDs in order to optimize the phenotypic quality during winter month. A lack of light in the low-light winter month leads to quality loss in the form of unstable plants in the potted herbs production in Papenburg. In order to sustainably strengthen the market position of the potted plant cultivation center in Papenburg, a pulsed LED exposure will be installed to supplement the regular assimilation exposure. The LEDs have a plant-adapted wavelength spectrum. The pulsed exposure with a high intensity results in stable potted herbs due to shorter internodes and higher stem diameters at comparable plant heights.
PhD Student: Inse Rosenbusch
Funding: Europ?ische Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (EFRE), Land Niedersachsen
Coordinator: 新老虎机平台,最新老虎机 Osnabrück, Fachgebiet Gemüseproduktion und -verarbeitung
Cooperation Partners:
- Fraunhofer Institut UMSICHT, Oberhausen, Volkmar Keuter
- Forschungzentrum Jülich - IGB-2, Dr. Shizue Matsubara
- Gemüsebauberatungsring Papenburg e.V., Anja Hildebrands
- Gartenbau Friedrich Schulz, Papenburg
- G?rtnerei Herrmann und Hedwig Brelage, Westoverledingen
Funding Period: 01/2017 - 12/2019
The project “Participative development of quality tomatoes for sustainable local growth (PETRAq+n)” (Partizipative Entwicklung von Qualit?tsTomaten für den nachhaltigen regionalen Anbau (PETRAq+n)) is a collaboration of the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, the University of G?ttingen, the Gemüsebauzentrale Papenburg and further external partners. This project sets basic scientific fundamentals for the breeding of qualitatively improved tomato species specially adapted for local sustainable production. This quality optimization aims at an improved flavour while sustaining a high yield.
Innovative culture system technologies are tested for improved resource efficiency and product quality. The players of the tomato value chain are integrated into the breeding process. The involvement of farmers, retailers and consumers ensure the development of practicable cultivation lines, which consider the interests of all players and therefore shall increase the acceptance of the product. Findings of this project will be provided for the network “Sustainable and local tomato cultivation Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)“.
Project Management: Hannah Kahle, Dajana Giede-Jeppe
Funding: MWK Niedersachsen
Cooperation Partners:
? Gartenbauzentrale Papenburg
? Culinaris – Saatgut für Lebensmittel
? Kompetenzzentrum ?kolandbau Niedersachsen GmbH
? Naturkost Elkershausen
? Dicke Bohne
? Beates Bunte Tomaten
? Biolandhof Freese
Funding Period: 01/2017 - 12/2019
The “network for careers in agriculture – AgriCareerNet“ is a cooperation of the faculties of agricultural science and landscape architecture from the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück and the faculty of agricultural science from the University of G?ttingen. Together we develop practical, scientific professional trainings opportunities for the agricultural and food industry.
These trainings aim at specialists and managers and focus on current topics which have a great demand for profound knowledge with regard to practical situations the industry. This includes training offers for management skills and economical background information for Agribusinesses as well as specialized offers from fields of plant technology, the poultry sector, technology application and animal wellbeing. The spectrum covers certificate-courses as well as one Bachelor program and two Master programs. The educational offers are planned according to the needs of the target group and companies.
The study programs and courses are offered as extra-occupational trainings in a Blended-Learning-structure. This means that phases of self-study will be combined with phases of attendance in order to assure compatibility of the professional training with the job and family.
Project Management: Ole O?enbrink
Funding: BMBF
Cooperation Partner: Georg-August-Universit?t G?ttingen
Funding Period: 01/2018-07/2020
Further details: www.agri-career.net
The “Green Fingers” (Grüne Finger) of Osnabrück are green areas and farming land located between the outer borders of the city center and outskirts of the city of Osnabrück. They positively affect the city climate, as well as serve as agricultural land for farmers, habitats for local fauna and flora and recreational places for the people of Osnabrück. The conservation of these areas is an old tradition. Unfortunately these efforts are not recognized well enough for their benefits, like the creation of multi-functional recreational areas. This research project, which started in march 2018 and consists of an interdisciplinary team from the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück and the city of Osnabrück, wants to change it by identifying new ways according to the motto “productive. sustainable.vital“. The basis for the protection of these green areas are different and partially new developed types of agriculture, horticulture or forestry (productive). At the same time these changes have to strengthen the social and ecological functions of the green fingers, which play an important role for a good city atmosphere (sustainable). Various events and participation of the locals should raise awareness for the green fingers (vital). Research experiences made in Osnabrück can be used for other cities as well.
PhD Student: Torsten Schulz
Funding: BMBF
Cooperation Partner: Fachbereich Umwelt und Klimaschutz, Stadt Osnabrück
Funding Period: 03/2018 - 02/2021
Matrix for risk assessment of contamination pathways (WP1)
The aim of the matrix is the evaluation of scientific literature reporting evidence of the potential contamination from a specific preharvest and postharvest source for a group of similar fruits or vegetables. Furthermore, the evaluation targets to put scientific primary research into a practical perspective and thus giving horticultural companies a helpful tool for risk calculation. To achieve a qualitative assessment for all 16 matrices, over 600 different interdisciplinary papers have been evaluated. The sources used to confirm routes of contamination had to be primary literature and are often supported by an additional review. Subsequently the matrix presents a semi-quantitative classification of the four common foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Norovirus in combination with all 11 product categories, in a simple traffic light rating system.
Preparation of a microbiological research project (WP2)
The second step covers planning and preparation of a research project to improve process hygiene in lettuce production. Therefore the microbial colonization of different types of lettuce will be compared under diverse experimental conditions.
Project Management: Dr. Helen Behn, Marvin Vahl
Funding: QS-Wissenschaftsfonds Obst, Gemüse und Kartoffeln
Funding Period: 03/2018 - 09/2019
The project “Urban Horticulture“ (Urbaner Gartenbau) aims at concepts to lead the conventional horticulture in the metropolitan area of Hamburg into a more sustainable future. The potential of innovative concepts from urban agriculture should be identified, analyzed, evaluated and afterwards applied in conventional horticulture in Hamburg. This project is framed by the agripolitical concept 2020 of the city of Hamburg. This project identifies useful interfaces between already existing municipal initiatives, those in development and commercial horticulture. The city of Hamburg is used as a research hotspot for “Urban AgriCulture” (Urbane AgriKultur).
Project Management: Ole O?enbrink, Birte Mehrkens
Funding: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg
Cooperation Partners:
- Beh?rde für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Innovation in Hamburg (BWVI)
- LWK Hamburg
Funding Period: 07/2017 - 10/2019
The project “Development of a cultivation system for pepper (Piger nigrum)“ investigates the cultivation of pepper in an intensive culture system. In tropical countries pepper is usually grown extensively. Contamination with plant protecting agents and very volatile prices make it difficult to get high quality raw material. Due to an increasing global demand for pepper there is a need to optimize culture system which ensure the production of high quality pepper. This project investigates the cultivation of Piger nigrum using different growing conditions. It aims at creating an optimized culture system.
Project Management: Janine Berg
Coordinator: Working Group Growing Knowledge, 新老虎机平台,最新老虎机 Osnabrück
Funding: AVO - Werke August Beisse GmbH
Cooperation Partner: Little Smile (Sri Lanka)
Funding Period: 10/ 2017 - 10/ 2019
Aim of the research project “LemnaProtein” is the development of an ecologically and economically sustainable, standardized production system for duckweed, which can be used as a high value, protein rich animal feed. By using the liquid phase of manure to cultivate the duckweed plants, nutrients are recovered from the growing medium. The partially closure of the nutrient cycle could help to reduce soybean imports and avoid local nutrient excess in the future.
Project Management: Finn Petersen, Dina Restemeyer
Funding: DBU
Funding Period: 2019 - 2021
Cooperation Partners: Prof. Heiner Westendarp (Department Animal Nutrition) and Prof. Hans-Werner Olfs (Department Plant Nutrition)