FELD 1/2025

Multiple use of

Multiple use of climate-resilient crops »In our MEFAP research project, we are looking for nothing less than the perfect all-rounder,« says project coordinator Klaus Gutser from ZALF. For around two years, the agricultural engineer and his partners have been researching crops that, in addition to providing food for humans and animals, also enable efficient use of plant residues for energy and fiber production—all of this within the framework of sustainable agricultural concepts. MEFAP stands for the multiple use of fibers and proteins from climate-resilient crops. On a half-hectare test area in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, 50 plots are used to grow crops such as corn, millet, alfalfa, flax, and sunflowers. Two farms then test the experimental plants on their land in Lusatia and the Spreewald under real conditions. Some plants did not meet the researchers’ expectations, hemp for example. »On good soil with plenty of rainfall, such as in the Allgäu region or Switzerland, it’s a great plant,« says Gutser, »but here in Lusatia, hemp only makes sense as a second crop, for example after whole-plant silage of cereals.« Although Lusatia does not have a desert climate, it is sandy and dry in years with low rainfall. Therefore, the focus is on plants that can cope with these particular challenges—such as rye, which is cultivated in fall. »Rye is the most exciting plant for Brandenburg anyway«, says Gutser, »it not only provides grain, but is also a good fiber plant.« Combined with vetch, it is almost »perfect for sandy and rain-poor locations.« Vetch—long underestimated—is half a pea, vigorous, rich in protein, and therefore good animal feed. It also flowers in July and serves as a rich food source for insects. This is what Gutser’s work is all about: suggesting plants to farms that will enable high land use efficiency and do well in regional value chains—while at the same time contributing to climate and species protection. CEREAL STRAW PROVIDES FIBER, FERTILIZER, AND SUGAR SYRUP This is where project partner Hermann Dauser comes in. He is the technical director of Fibers365, a company based in Lenningen, Baden-Württemberg. He, too, is trying to extract as much value as possible from a plant, specifically from the stalks of annual plants such as rye or wheat Dauser and his colleagues extract the cellulose. This leaves about half of the stalk behind. »Once the cellulose-rich fibers have been removed, what remains is a brown sugar soup, which is ideal for biogas plants,« says Dauser. Together with other residual materials, the soup is fermented to produce 14

Multiple use of climate-resilient crops Rye is already the most exciting plant for Brandenburg, as it not only provides grain but is also a good fiber plant. KLAUS GUTSER 15