FELD 1/2025

PROF. FRANK EWERT talks about ZALF in the desert, LAND-INNOVATION-LAUSITZ, and Lusatia as a model region. A scientist and a farmer join forces to sing the praises of the queen of forage crops. Selected plants are intended to provide food for humans and animals as well as enable efficient use of energy and fiber. Using algorithms, drones, satellites, and other technology, researchers want to put together the Lusatia landscape puzzle. If the researchers at ZALF have their way, truffles will soon be known and loved as the black gold of Lusatia.

MORE LAND INNOVATIONS IN

MORE LAND INNOVATIONS IN LUSATIA 2 7 8 9 12 13 15 17 The WIR! alliance Land-Innovation-Lausitz (LIL) brings together partners from research, business, agriculture, politics, and administration to develop Lusatia into a model region focused on adapting land use to climate change. 34

Other LIL Projects IMPROVING THE SOIL The StabilOrg project developed soil additives from iron hydroxide sludge, a waste product from open-cast coal mining. Since iron oxides occur naturally in the soil and contribute to carbon storage, the project team investigated how the processed sludge could improve soil properties. They tested technical processing methods and analyzed the leaching behavior and effects on the water storage capacity of soils. Building on these results, the BodenOrg project is investigating the influence of the developed soil additives on the plant growth of sunflowers and winter wheat. PROTECTING FIELDS BY MEANS OF TREES The AgroBaLa research project investigated how agroforestry systems can be used to shape the circular economy and climate-resilient, economical land use in Lusatia. Building on this, the AgroWert-Regio project focuses specifically on agroforestry value chains. Regional representatives have been supporting researchers in developing and testing a joint marketing concept for agroforestry products, which aims to raise awareness for this sustainable farming method. MAKING LUSATIA BLOOM The aim of InnoWild and InnoWert is to study and utilize native and climate-adapted wild plants in Lusatia. Wild plants produce bioactive ingredients that have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These substances, most of which are still unknown, could be the basis for developing new value chains in many industries. The projects seek to identify the bioactive ingredients, establish relevant production systems, and strengthen the knowledge on wild plants in the region. DOUBLE THE BENEFITS OF THE SUN The iEnergy Solutions project team aims to develop sustainable solutions for integrating photo voltaics into agricultural landscapes, including through multiple use of land and measures to promote biodiversity. This requires further insights into the complex ecological interactions and the adaptability of plants to environmental conditions around photo voltaic systems. Sensors are used, for example, to record growth-related factors such as temperature and radiation, but also to examine the physiological development status of the crops. 35