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Dept. of Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics
Institution
Section overview
Description
In its research the group of 'Organic Plant Production & Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics' aims at a process-oriented analysis of agricultural systems. Projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America are geared towards developing strategies that increase the efficiency of organic matter recycling and the mobilisation of soil borne nutrients that prevent soil erosion by wind and water and increase di-nitrogen fixation by legumes. Agro-ecological work aims at a better understanding of the complex above- and below ground interactions between crops, trees, weeds (both parasitic and non-parasitic) and insects in order to maximise the benefits of smallholders' mixed farming systems. In this context agro-forestry systems as a low-input way to shift subsistence farmers' mode of landuse away from slash-and-burn systems are of particular interest. Research under controlled conditions is geared towards investigating the growth tolerance mechanisms of cereals both at the plant, cell and molecular level. To this end the availability of several computer-based growth chambers allowing temperature, light and humidity control facilitates process-oriented experimental work in the plant-soil continuum.
Activities
- Research
Parent institution
Coordinated projects
- Effects of transformation processes in 'jubraka' agroforestry systems of the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, on plant diversity and nutrient fluxes
- GlobE - Structured African-German research partnership to improve the resource efficiency of urban and peri-urban agriculture with the aim of improving the nutritional and income security in West African cities
- GlobE: UrbanFoodPlus - African-German partnership to enhance resource use efficiency in urban and peri-urban agriculture for improved food security in West African cities, partner A
Coordinated collaborative projects
Work package leader of collaborative projects
Contact
Dept. of Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics
Steinstr. 19
37213 Witzenhausen
Hesse
Germany
Phone: +49 5542/98-1229
