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© Thünen-Institut
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Institute of

AT Agricultural Technology

Environmental Technology Soil/Plant

Heavy harvest and transport machinery can damage the soil structure in the case of high soil moisture. In our concepts for “good professional practice,” we have concretized recommendations for action derived from field and laboratory experiments and thus for preventative soil protection.

The instruments we have developed, such as estimating soil cover by organic residues or analyzing the soil structure in depth, help the practitioner assess the mechanical stress of agricultural machinery. In our research, we use sensors that detect critical, damp soil conditions and help to adapt vehicle parameters to the compaction sensitivity of the soil. Sensor systems should help to detect the drought stress of the plants at an early stage. Optimizing the use of resources while at the same time preserving the environment and increasing product quality are at the forefront of optimizing agricultural processes and chains. Novel sensors and non-contact measuring methods help to practice precision farming in the field of soil cultivation, crop management and harvesting. Our medium term goal is the development of management systems that allow a more sustainable use of resources (machinery, energy, water).

Our work is concentrated in the following areas:

Process optimization

Process optimization Soil/Plant includes the process chain throughout the entire vegetation period starting with harvest, continuing through stubble tillage, primary and secondary soil tillage, drilling, fertilizing, maintenance and ultimately concluding with the harvest. This allows a holistic perspective of the work in the sense of good professional practice.

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Process optimization

Soil Protection

In the working area soil protection, recommendations for action are developed for the farmer on the implementation of „good professional practice“ derived from field and laboratory experiments. For this purpose sensors are used to document soil conditions and to adapt to vehicle parameters.

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Soil Protection

Field hygiene

In the working area irrigation we are working on the optimization of irrigation processes and evaluate methods for irrigation management under consideration of various soil tillage variations, irrigation technologies and controls.

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Field hygiene

Precision Agriculture

In precision agriculture, we optimize site-specific production processes based on measured data of soil, plant and water supply. We verify sensors and develop practical robust measurement methods in order to establish new plant production systems and improve management techniques.

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Precision Agriculture

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