40% reduction in emissions in arable farming? Possible! [24.09.2024]
A study commissioned by the German Agricultural Industry Association (IVA) shows that greenhouse gas emissions in German arable farming could be reduced by 40% if existing technologies were applied consistently. The study, conducted under the direction of Professor Dr Enno Bahrs (University of Hohenheim), highlights four approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in...more
Searching the genome: How the spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes adapts to potential pollinators through sexual deception [05.08.2024]
Understanding the genetic mechanisms of adaptation to pollinators is a central question in plant evolutionary biology. The prominent role of pollinators in flower evolution is related to their dual function: enabling sexual reproduction and imposing selection on floral traits. This is particularly evident in plant species with a specialised pollination mechanism associated...more
Hop ingredients are also effective against coronaviruses [29.07.2024]
Certain ingredients in hops have proven antiviral activity against the coronavirus pathogen SARS-CoV-2, but its certainly not enough to consider treatment with beer...more
Safflower: renaissance of an old cultivated plant [24.06.2024]
This flowering, almost undemanding and extensive oil plant could make a contribution to increasing biodiversity in organic farming. Safflower is highly resistant to abiotic stress factors such as heat or drought - an advantage that should not be underestimated in view of climate change. What's more, the local cultivation of safflower creates economic opportunities for new,...more
Reconciling the soil stewardship paradox: Knowledge without care, care without knowledge [22.04.2024]
Soil stewardship has emerged as a guiding principle shaping the conservation practices adopted by agricultural stakeholders on their lands. Some scholars have advocated a holistic perspective on stewardship, contending that it relies on both “care” and “knowledge”. This study shows a disparity between knowledge without a corresponding sense of care and care without a...more
Unlocking the Riches: The Ecological and Social Bounties of Diversified Agriculture [06.04.2024]
Major study published in Science reports that people and environment both benefit from diversified farming, while bottom lines also thrivemore
Alternative proteins - What are our protein sources in the future? [10.01.2024]
Alternative proteins, like those derived from algae, soya, various legumes or other natural and so far underutilised protein sources, can transform the global food system to become more sustainable and animal-friendly while simultaneously improving public health. Even though there are already various vegetarian alternatives to today's mostly animal-based protein sources, there...more