The Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation
was founded in 2005 by a consolidation of several institutes with the goal of coordinating and focusing research and teaching in the field of crop production and resource conservation.
The research of the 15 professors and several independent research groups is directed at a wide field ranging from soil science, microbiology, plant pathology, molecular physiological basis of stress resistance, functional genome analyses, plant breeding and crop production.
Plants adapt genetically over time to the special conditions of organic farming. This has been demonstrated in a long-term study conducted at the University of Bonn. The researchers planted barley plants on two neighboring fields and used conventional farming methods on one and organic methods on the other. Over the course of more than 20 years, the organic barley was enriched with specific genetic material that differed from the comparative culture. Among other things, the results demonstrate how important it is to cultivate varieties especially for organic farming. The results have now been published in the journal “Agronomy for Sustainable Development.”
This honor recognizes his outstanding scientific contributions to nematology and his commitment to the ESN. Prof. Grundler was a member of the Governing Board for several years and President of the ESN from 2006 to 2010. He has been President of the International Federation of Nematological Societies for two years and will hold this position until the organization of the next International Congress of Nematology in 2028.
Tiny organisms such as bacteria and fungi help to promote the health and function of plant roots. It is commonly assumed that the composition of these microbes is dependent on the properties of the soil. However, an international team of researchers led by the University of Bonn has now discovered when studying different local varieties of maize that the genetic makeup of the plants also helps to influence which microorganisms cluster around the roots. The results, which have now been published in the prestigious journal Nature Plants, could help to breed future varieties of maize that are better suited to drought and limited nutrients.
A new variety of rice that is adapted to life in low-phosphorus soils, that contains an exceptionally large amount of zinc and that was developed specifically for the conditions in Madagascar where it is grown, has recently been certified in the country. The variety was created under the leadership of plant scientist Professor Matthias Wissuwa from the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn which he joined as a visiting professor in spring 2023, together with the Africa Rice Center and the National Centre of Applied Research for Rural Development in Madagascar (FOFIFA)
Contact
INRES - Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation
Managing Director: Prof. Dr. Armin Djamei
Address
Karlrobert-Kreiten-Strasse 13
53115 Bonn