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LOEWE-TRIO at the Frankenhausen Field Day: Research teams investigate pathways to stable humus accumulation and long-term soil fertility in organic farming
Alongside other research projects, the LOEWE Research Cluster TRIO was featured at the field day held on July 8 at the Domäne Frankenhausen estate, where the participating initiatives showcased their work. The presentation of the TRIO project focused on spice fennel – specifically, its impressive root systems.
The exceptionally deep-reaching and robust roots of the fennel studied in the project vividly demonstrated the great potential of perennial crops for building humus and adapting to climate change. Thanks to its deep root system, the fennel can draw water from the subsoil throughout the entire growing season, regardless of current rainfall levels. Subsequent crops also benefit: the "biopores" created by the fennel allow their roots to penetrate deeper soil layers much faster, thereby providing them with better protection against drought stress.
Biodiversity was also clearly evident: the sea of fennel, coriander, and caraway blossoms was abuzz with activity – a valuable habitat for numerous insect species.
The mixed cultures grown in the TRIO project – combining perennial wheat with deep-rooting medicinal and spice plants – thus offer multiple benefits: they contribute to climate protection, enhance the climate resilience of agricultural systems, and simultaneously foster biodiversity. A clear win-win situation for both people and nature!