Objective

Assessment of the climate protection potential of perennial cereal cropping systems (pure seed and mixed cropping with legumes) in comparison to current annual cereal cropping systems

Methodology

• Recording of above- and below-ground biomass development to determine the carbon storage potential as well as yield data and quality-determining ingredients (plot and pot trials)
• Studies on soil water use, nitrogen dynamics and nitrate leaching
• Comparative studies on the soil microbiome and its contribution to soil fertility and carbon storage
• Recording of entomological species diversity, flower availability for pollinators and basic studies on disease pressure due to a possible accumulation of pathogens at the site

Climate effect under consideration

Increased carbon storage and improved nitrogen utilisation through higher year-round above- and below-ground biomass formation