Conventional fertilisation affects our groundwater: The unregulated release of nitrates through liquid manure or manure from livestock farms leads to high nitrate contamination in the groundwater under arable land. At the same time, the water demand of agriculture is high: fertilisers can only reach the plant roots with the help of water. In dry periods, this transport is only possible if water is brought in. Drinking water is limited, the cost of clean drinking water is rising - farmers are facing a major challenge.
At the Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, researchers explore possibilities for sustainable nutrient supply: underfloor drip systems enable the water-saving supply of nutrients directly to the plant root. The research group Vegetable Systems Modelling, headed by Prof. Dr. Hartmut Stützel, works on the design and control of sensor-based plant production. This technology offers optimised water supply to the plant and thus minimises nitrate input into the groundwater. Responsible use of the scarce resource water while ensuring good quality yields is key, especially under changing climatic conditions.
