Section Organic Farming and Cropping Systems

The Section Organic Farming and Cropping Systems researches how to increase productivity in crop production while improving ecosystem services by harnessing biological processes. Research focuses include the optimisation of cropping systems (potatoes and legumes), measures to increase soil fertility including composting, root ecology and root-soil interactions, diversification of crop production e.g. through mixed cropping and agroforestry, and integration of biodiversity enhancing measures into cropping systems. In addition, inter- and transdisciplinary topics such as studies on environmental impacts of organic agriculture, especially with regard to water and nature conservation, social agriculture, as well as the assessment of the social impact of research are addressed.

In teaching, the section represents the arable and plant production in organic farming, soil fertility and nutrient cycles, land use systems, as well as the topic of conversion of farms to organic farming. The department is the scientific director of the teaching and experimental farm ‘Hessische Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen’ and participates in the Farmers-led Research Network Hesse. A lectureship for organic vegetable production is affiliated with the department, as is the coordination office for biodynamic agriculture with its own teaching and research activities.