Sustainable composting in vegetable growing: Research on emission reduction
Sustainable composting in vegetable growing: Research on emission reduction
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture is becoming increasingly important. An important research project of the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences has devoted itself to this topic in order to improve composting in field vegetable growing. In the next three years, the project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, will find ways to effectively minimize the harmful emissions.
background and meaning of the project
The Federal Government's climate protection program aims to establish comprehensive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A central concern is to reduce nitrogen surpluses and laugh gas emissions, which are among the largest environmental consecrators. Agriculture is responsible for around 95% of ammonia emissions, with insufficiently composting vegetable waste making a decisive contribution to the formation of laughing gas. This gas has a climate effect that is about 300 times more harmful than that of carbon dioxide.
The research project Nemgem
As part of the NEMGEM project at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, sustainable solutions for reducing nitrogen emissions in vegetable growing are being developed. Project manager Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Cuhls emphasizes that the focus is on the development of new composting methods in order to minimize the formation of greenhouse gases. A key goal is to prepare harvest residues that remain in the fields after the harvest in such a way that the nitrogen it contains is attributed as a valuable nutrient instead of escaping into the atmosphere.
application and transferability of the results
The project focuses on the German field vegetable growing, especially the cultivation of white cabbage. Nevertheless, a transferability of the results to other countries and cultures that practice comparable cultivation methods can be expected. Various procedures such as composting, fermentation and preservation are tested to determine the most effective methods for reducing nitrogen emissions.
The role of the university and the students
The innovative research project is part of the recycling and disposal management course at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. This course of education prepares students for professions in the field of environmental and waste management. By combining technical and scientific content, students are encouraged to work on sustainable projects that have a positive impact on environmental problems. In this way, a new generation is prepared for the challenges of climate change.
FAZIT
In view of the growing challenges of climate change, the Nemgem project offers an impressive opportunity to promote sustainable practices in field vegetable growing. It not only follows the approach to reduce harmful emissions, but also makes a contribution to a closed nutrient cycle that could make mineral fertilizers superfluous. Such initiatives are crucial for the future of agriculture and the protection of our planet.- Nag