The effects of climate change and increasing pest infestations are having an impact on potato growth. To help potatoes cope with these challenges and strengthen them within their crop rotation, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is working with partners on a collaborative project to develop a formulation process using beneficial fungi.
The potato is one of the most important crops in Germany and Europe. However, the steadily warming climate, increasing extreme weather events such as droughts or heavy rainfall, and rising pest infestations are taking an ever-greater toll on the tuber.
Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is now conducting research, as part of a joint project with Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (FH) and the companies BIOCARE and Feldsaaten Freudenberger, into how potatoes can be better protected against environmental influences, thereby achieving higher or more reliable yields. The research project ‘Development of innovative formulation processes using beneficial fungi as novel plant fortifiers for potato crop rotation (FORK)’ is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Of this funding, 330,000 euros has been allocated to Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The research is being carried out here under the supervision of Professor Dr Florian Wichern, Professor of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.
Optimal plant development requires an adequate supply of nutrients, good soil conditions and roots that are resistant to pests such as nematodes (roundworms). What makes this project unique is that it aims to strengthen both the potato and the catch crop. A catch crop is planted in autumn to improve soil conditions and, with the help of the application developed as part of the project, is intended to reduce the presence of plant-damaging nematodes in the soil. In the long term, this will improve the quality of the potatoes, which are then planted in the spring as part of the crop rotation. The potato itself can also be strengthened by certain beneficial fungi.
The overall aim of the collaborative project is to develop formulations and so-called coating processes (seed coatings) using various beneficial fungi, which are intended to strengthen the crop rotation in a sustainable manner. “The main focus at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is on testing the efficacy of the developed products within the plant-soil system, using pot trials in the greenhouse and laboratory analyses. In addition, the effectiveness of the methods is being tested, including in the field, in cooperation with agricultural businesses,” explains Professor Wichern. Looking ahead, all those involved hope that this method can also be applied to other seeds, in order to equip even more plants to withstand adverse environmental conditions.
