Publikationsfonds der Universität Hohenheim

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Tick hazard in a Central European country: Mapping Europe’s principal tick-borne disease vector across Germany
(2025) Springer, Andrea; Lindau, Alexander; Fachet-Lehmann, Katrin; Kämmer, Daniel; Bulling, Ingrid; Knoll, Steffen; Król, Nina; Fischer, Dominik; Fischer, Luisa; Drehmann, Marco; Chitimia-Dobler, Lidia; Noll, Madeleine; Vineer, Hannah Rose; Kahl, Olaf; Pfeffer, Martin; Strube, Christina; Mackenstedt, Ute
The most common European tick species, Ixodes ricinus, is the principal vector of Borrelia and tick-borne encephalitis virus and several other pathogens of public health relevance in Europe. Comprehensive data on tick abundance and the underlying ecological drivers are crucial for developing awareness and control strategies and to assess future changes in tick-borne disease risk. We aimed to provide a Germany-wide map of I. ricinus abundance to aid in disease transmission risk assessment. During 2018−2020, questing tick density was assessed at 83 sites across the whole country by drag flagging, whereby 49,344 I. ricinus nymphs and adults were collected. Relationships between climate, land cover, and monthly questing I. ricinus nymph density were explored and used to draw an abundance map. Highest tick hazard was observed in areas near the coast with mild winters and moist springs, and in mid-elevation mountain ranges, which represent popular tourist destinations. The ticks’ seasonal activity pattern was predominantly unimodal. The fact that the observed regional differences are contradictory to a previous estimation based on a combination of regional studies illustrates the need for an extensive and coordinated sampling effort to reliably estimate tick abundance at larger spatial scales. Combined with data on tick-borne pathogens, our study enables estimating the density of infected ticks and consequently the risk of acquiring an infectious tick bite. Moreover, the observed relationships with climate and land cover can help to predict future developments of tick hazard under different climate scenarios in Central Europe.
The affective, cognitive, and behavioral echo of cumulative series reception aka binge-watching: A qualitative study
(2025) Eberhard-Bölz, Sarah
When analyzing the cumulative reception of TV series, often called binge-watching (i.e., watching several episodes of one TV series back-to-back), there has been a strong focus on potentially harmful consequences in the literature, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression symptoms, and particularly addiction. However, only a few extant studies have considered potential nonharmful or even beneficial consequences from binge-watching. The present study addresses this gap in the binge-watching literature and calls for future studies that address the gap between the two contrasting perspectives on binge-watching, i.e., whether it is a harmful or beneficial behavior. In the present study, 24 semi-structured, diary-based interviews were conducted with young adults, yielding a wide spectrum of thoughts, affects, and behaviors that outlasted the exposure situation. The qualitative content analysis revealed long-term effects, such as transferred positive and negative moods, delayed sleep, feelings of inspiration or motivation, and urges to research or communicate about the TV series. A key finding was that binge-watching also triggered affective states such as heightened arousal or grieving, which could last up to several hours or days. The described media effects' potential persistence demonstrates the importance of considering the time aspect in future research because the longer the effects last, the longer they potentially impact one's everyday live.
Digital educational escape rooms as a novel approach to cybersecurity education: An empirical study on learner perceptions of usefulness and usability
(2025) Keller, Thomas; Guggemos, Josef; Warwas, Julia
With the increasing number and severity of cybersecurity incidents, programs for security education, training, and awareness (SETA) have become essential components of organizational and educational strategies to promote information-secure behavior at the workplace. While traditional training is often perceived as uninspiring and tedious, digital educational escape rooms (DEERs) are a promising tool that combines immersive, game-based learning with authentic problem scenarios to improve cybersecurity skills. Despite their growing popularity in cybersecurity education, key acceptance factors of DEERs have not been systematically investigated. This study applies the technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine how perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use affect the intentions of target learner groups to engage with DEERs in SETA programs. A total of 217 participants, comprising trainees, students, and employees, played one randomly selected DEER from a set of three on password management, privacy and data security, and social engineering. After completion, participants evaluated the learning environment using a standardized TAM-based questionnaire. Structural equation modeling revealed that perceived usefulness was the strongest predictor of learners’ intentions to engage with DEERs. Perceived ease of use influenced engagement intention directly and indirectly by positively affecting perceived usefulness. Multigroup analysis revealed no significant differences across age, gender, professional background, or DEER scenario. These findings highlight the importance of balancing ease of use with the extent to which learners perceive the content to be meaningful, important, and relevant to their professional context in order to ensure acceptance and effective integration of DEERs into SETA programs.
AI-assisted tractor control for secondary tillage
(2025) Boysen, Jonas; Bökle, Sebastian; Stein, Anthony
Modern agricultural machinery requires skilled operators to optimally configure their complex machines, while autonomous machines without operators must already optimize their configuration themselves to achieve optimal performance. During secondary tillage multiple performance measures need to be monitored and maximized: Seedbed quality, area output and fuel consumption. The seedbed quality can be measured with the soil surface roughness coefficient which can be computed with 3D-cameras attached to the machine. For our work, such cameras are mounted in the front and back of a Claas Arion 660 tractor with an attached power harrow seeding combination. The soil-machine response model of our prior work is utilized to model the soil-machine interaction for the training of a reinforcement learning agent and the application of a decision-time planning agent to assist in controlling the working speed of the machine. The control agents are tested in real-world field trials and compared to good professional practice. The decision-time planning agent achieves comparable results to a gold-standard while reaching significantly higher performance in terms of area output (29.1%) and more efficient fuel consumption (8.4%) than a baseline while the reinforcement learning agent performed worse during the field trials. The seedbed quality and field emergence are not showing significant differences between the variants. Further analysis shows that model training and selection for the reinforcement agent could have led to performance loss and models that are performing better in simulation have been trained after the field trials. Furthermore, we analyze the models when tested under the field conditions in the field trials (out-of-distribution) that are different from the field conditions during training data collection. The out-of-distribution testing leads to a reduced performance in terms of rRMSE of the decision-time planning agent and to some extend reward of the reinforcement learning agent compared to in-distribution testing.
Decoding the aroma of Jägermeister liqueur through sensory-directed flavor analysis combined with solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and headspace-stir bar sorptive extraction
(2025) Zhu, Lin; Lin, Zexin; Zheng, Yan; Liang, Jiaqi; Li, Yupan; Kramp, Sarah; Zhang, Youfeng; Xiang, Can; Chen, Leyin; Rigling, Marina; Hannemann, Lea; Oellig, Claudia; Zhang, Yanyan
Jägermeister liqueur is one of the most famous herbal liqueurs worldwide, distinguished by its unique anise-like, bitter, and caramel-like flavor. This study comprehensively analyzed its aroma components using sensory-directed flavor analysis combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-sulfur chemiluminescence detector. Results identified eugenol (clove-like, OAV = 1260), anethole (anise-like, OAV = 723), p-anisaldehyde (almond-like, OAV = 97), linalool (flowery, OAV = 25), and terpinen-4-ol (apple-like, OAV = 119) as key aroma-active compounds in Jägermeister. Two sulfur-containing compounds with meaty and caramel-like aromas were detected; however, their OAVs were below 1. Ethers (53.2 mg/L), phenolics (27.8 mg/L), and terpenoids (10.5 mg/L) were the most abundant compounds in Jägermeister, while esters were present at relatively low concentrations (254 μg/L). A comparative analysis revealed that Jägermeister exhibits a unique aroma profile among ten European herbal liqueurs, particularly enriched in caramel-like and licorice-like notes, which showed positive correlations with key aroma compounds such as vanillin. This work not only provides the first systematic aroma deconstruction of Jägermeister, but also offers new insights into the compositional patterns and classification of European herbal liqueurs, contributing to quality control, product authentication, and flavor optimization.
“Smart support for fruit farm business decision-making: A framework for digital controlling adoption”
(2025) Müller, Luis; Luer, Robert; Lentz, Wolfgang
Decision-makers in horticultural enterprises face significant challenges, including structural changes toward fewer and larger enterprises, increasing weather extremes, skilled labor shortages, and increasing sustainability demands. Addressing these challenges requires the use of effective business management instruments. However, initial research suggests that controlling is practiced infrequently and with limited intensity in the sector. This study investigates barriers to and drivers of the adoption of controlling, focusing on the role of digital transformation in enhancing its use. Nineteen semi-structured interviews and farm inspections were conducted with 28 current and prospective farm managers in the fruit-growing sector in Germany and Luxembourg. Results show that decision-making is primarily driven by experience and intuition. Lack of experience with controlling hinders the visibility of its benefits, thus preventing the acquisition of controlling expertise. In the absence of such expertise, controlling methods cannot be effectively implemented, rendering the benefits elusive. Additionally, the limited availability of processed data restricts meaningful business analyses. Farm management and information systems (FMISs) provide minimal controlling functionalities. Reporting obligations relating to crop protection are the primary drivers for FMIS adoption. Therefore, reporting obligations in external accounting and data requirements for funding and loan procurement serve as entry points for controlling-focused software solutions. Information and controlling systems thus hold potential to enhance routine decision-making, rendering the benefits of controlling more tangible. This study contributes a conceptual framework to broaden the understanding of the often negatively perceived cost-benefit ratio of controlling in small and medium-sized enterprises and identifies strategies to strengthen its practical relevance.
Energy security through decentralized energy system: Electricity self-sufficient village using agrivoltaics?
(2025) Bauknecht, Martin
With the Green Deal, the energy transition in the EU has gained momentum. Almost half of electricity consumption is now covered by renewable energies, with solar technology accounting for a significant share. However, the massive expansion of photovoltaics is increasingly being felt by every individual locally. The electrical grids are reaching their capacity limits. The number of redispatch measures is rising exponentially to keep the system running smoothly. This, in turn, is reflected on the electricity exchange in exorbitantly low exchange prices and, during windy and sunny hours, even in negative exchange prices. These trends raise the question of how energy security can be maintained and achieved in the future. In this context, a decentralized energy system is being modeled to create an electricity self-sufficient village using agrivoltaics. This has the advantage that the land can be used for dual purposes. The shared use of energy between citizens, commercials, municipalities and farmers creates a self-managed energy community. Farmers play a key role in this dual land use. This paper examines the central research question of what contribution an electricity self-sufficient village using agrivoltaics can make to energy security. This paper is based on a survey of 215 German farmers. The survey results show a trend that energy security can be increased through this modelled decentralized energy system. Various policy implications can be formulated for the realization of an electricity self-sufficient village using agrivoltaics. The first step is to achieve electricity self-sufficiency during the sunny months from March to October, until cross-seasonal storage media are available and ready for series production.
Reactivation of the tRNASer/tRNATyr gene cluster in Arabidopsis thaliana root tips
(2025) Hummel, Guillaume; Kumari, Priyanka; Hua, Chenlei; Wang, Long; Mai, Yan-Xia; Wang, Nan; Shala, Negjmedin; Kaya, Emir Can; Molinier, Jean; Wang, Jia-Wei; Liu, Chang
Plants maintain redundant tRNA genes (tDNAs) in their nuclear genomes, but the significance, regulation, and functional roles of these genes remain poorly understood. A cluster of tandemly repeated tDNAs decoding serine and tyrosine (SYY cluster) is located on Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chromosome 1, intersecting constitutive heterochromatin and remaining transcriptionally silenced in most tissues. The natural conditions inducing their transcription remain unknown. Here, we elucidate the tissue-specific expression pattern of this cluster during seedling establishment. Our findings reveal that SYY cluster tRNAs are primarily produced in the root cap columella and adjacent root cap cells. Transcriptional reactivation of the SYY cluster occurs in these tissues despite high DNA methylation levels. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these cells accumulate high levels of a transgenic glycoprotein rich in serine, tyrosine, and proline, and that CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of the SYY cluster alters the accumulation and stability of the glycoprotein in these specific cells. Our work provides pioneering evidence of a developmental and cell-specific expression program for a plant tDNA. We offer insights into the putative role of specialized tDNAs in enhancing glycoprotein biosynthesis in protective tissues of the meristem.
Role of homovanillic acid esters in the regulation of skin inflammatory pathways and their effect on tight junction protein expression
(2025) Cervantes Recalde, Maria Fernanda; Bogensperger, Elena Zoe; Hans, Joachim; Stuhlmann, Dominik; Somoza, Veronika; Lieder, Barbara
In the context of epidermal inflammation, the inflammatory response not only involves the release of inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 8 (IL-8), but also modulation of tight junction protein expression levels. Previous studies showed that the tight junction protein claudin 1 (CLDN1) is upregulated during tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced inflammation by capsaicin in keratinocytes in a transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-dependent manner. However, the caveat with TRPV1 ligands is the undesired pain response elicited by the activation of neuronal TRPV1 channels. In this study, we hypothesized that also less or non-pungent homovanillic acid esters as structural analogs of capsaicin target CLDN1 upregulation during inflammation. Methods: We aimed to identify beneficial structural characteristics by selecting homovanillic acid esters with different aliphatic tail structures and screening them for CLDN1 upregulation at early stages of TNFα-induced inflammation in basal keratinocytes. Results: CLDN1 expression was upregulated independently of TRPV1 by compounds with a tail of 5 or 6 C-atoms, regardless of the presence of ramifications and double bonds with a maximum fold change of 2.05 ± 0.22 against control. The induction of CLDN1 expression was accompanied by increased expression of the differentiation marker involucrin (IVL). Discussion: The results suggest that the homovanillic ester-induced CLDN1 upregulation is a result of increased differentiation of the basal keratinocytes towards the keratinocyte morphology present in the stratum granulosum (SG), where tight junctions are formed. In conclusion, homovanillic acid esters with a 5 or 6 C-atom long aliphatic chain induced CLDN1 expression, thereby stimulating keratinocyte differentiation, independent from TRPV1 activation.
Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 supernatant improves markers of gut barrier function and inflammatory response in small intestinal organoids
(2025) Filipe Rosa, Louisa; Gonda, Steffen; Roese, Nadine; Bischoff, Stephan C.; Lachowicz-Wiśniewska, Sabina
Objectives: Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745, a probiotic yeast, is effectively used for the treatment of acute diarrhea as well as for the prevention and treatment of traveller‘s diarrhea and diarrhea under tube feeding. The underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Both antitoxic and regulatory effects on the intestinal barrier, mediated either by the yeast or yeast-derived substrates, have been discussed. Methods: To examine the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii released substrates (S.b.S) on gastrointestinal (GI) barrier function, a murine small intestinal organoid cell model under stress was used. Stress was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure or withdrawal of growth factors from cell culture medium (GFRed). Stressed organoids were treated with S.b.S (200 µg/mL), and markers of GI barrier and inflammatory response were assessed. Results: GFRed-induced stress was characterized by disturbances in selected tight junction (TJ) (p < 0.05), adherent junction (AJ) (p < 0.001), and mucin (Muc) formation (p < 0.01), measured by gene expressions, whereby additional S.b.S treatment was found to reverse these effects by increasing Muc2 (from 0.22 to 0.97-fold change, p < 0.05), Occludin (Ocln) (from 0.37 to 3.5-fold change, p < 0.0001), and Claudin (Cldn)7 expression (from 0.13 ± 0.066-fold change, p < 0.05) and by decreasing Muc1, Cldn2, Cldn5, and junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) expression (all p < 0.01). Further, S.b.S normalized expression of nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (Nod)2- (from 44.5 to 0.51, p < 0.0001) and matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)7-dependent activation (from 28.3 to 0.02875 ± 0.0044 ** p < 0.01) of antimicrobial peptide defense and reduced the expression of several inflammatory markers, such as myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (Myd88) (p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor α (Tnfα) (p < 0.01), interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.01), and IL-1β (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745-derived secretome attenuates inflammatory responses and restores GI barrier function in small intestinal organoids.
The RNF/NQR redox pumps: a versatile system for energy transduction in bacteria and archaea
(2025) Buckel, Wolfgang; Ermler, Ulrich; Vonck, Janet; Fritz, Günter; Steuber, Julia
The Na + (or H + )-translocating ferredoxin:NAD + oxidoreductase (also called RNF, rhodobacter nitrogen fixation, complex) catalyzes the oxidation of reduced ferredoxin with NAD + , hereby generating an electrochemical gradient. In the reverse reaction driven by an electrochemical gradient, RNF provides reduced ferredoxin using NADH as electron donor. RNF plays a crucial role in the metabolism of many anaerobes, such as amino acid fermenters, acetogens, or aceticlastic methanogens. The Na + -translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR), which has evolved from an RNF, is found in selected bacterial groups including anaerobic, marine, or pathogenic organisms. Since NQR and RNF are not related to eukaryotic respiratory complex I (NADH:quinone oxidoreductase), members of this oxidoreductase family are promising targets for novel antibiotics. RNF and NQR share a membrane-bound core complex consisting of four subunits, which represent an essential functional module for redox-driven cation transport. Several recent 3D structures of RNF and NQR in different states put forward conformational coupling of electron transfer and Na + translocation reaction steps. Based on this common principle, putative reaction mechanisms of RNF and NQR redox pumps are compared. Key points: • Electrogenic ferredoxin:NAD + oxidoreductases (RNF complexes) are found in bacteria and archaea. • The Na + -translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) is evolutionary related to RNF. • The mechanism of energy conversion by RNF/NQR complexes is based on conformational coupling of electron transfer and cation transport reactions.
Occurrence and quantification of porcine hemotrophic mycoplasmas in blood-sucking Stomoxys calcitrans
(2025) Arendt, Mareike; Hoelzle, Katharina; Stadler, Julia; Ritzmann, Mathias; Ade, Julia; Hoelzle, Ludwig E.; Schwarz, Lukas; Rossi, Franca
Hemotrophic mycoplasmas (HMs) are cell wall-less, small and uncultivable pathogens, which can cause infections in pigs with no to severe clinical signs and can contribute to significant economic losses in the pig industry. In addition to the known mechanical transmission routes of HMs (e.g., via blood-contaminated instruments or lesions from ranking fights), transmission to pigs by arthropod vectors such as Stomoxys calcitrans is being discussed. To date, there is scant available data concerning the transmission of HMs by stable flies. The objective of this study is to gain more data concerning the occurrence of HMs in Stomoxys calcitrans . Therefore, quantitative real-time PCR was conducted on different stable fly samples (surface washings and whole flies). We found Mycoplasma ( M. ) suis in 5.2% of crushed flies and 4.2% of fly wash solutions, and M. parvum was detected in 5.2% of flies and 9.4% of fly wash solutions. ‘ Candidatus ( Ca .) M. haemosuis’ was not detected in any sample. The mean bacterial loads were 2.0 × 10 2 M. suis /fly, 9.3 × 10 2 M. suis /fly wash solution and, for M. parvum , 2.4 × 10 3 M. parvum /fly and 2.1 × 10 3 M. parvum /fly wash solution. This molecular occurrence of porcine HMs in blood-sucking flies and reasonable bacterial loads in the two- to three-digit range demonstrate that these flies serve as mechanical vectors in stables and are, therefore, of epidemiological importance.
Just Food for kids? School food management models and sustainable procurement in France and Germany
(2025) Hoinle, Birgit; Parot, Jocelyn
Biodiversity loss, climate change, rising indices of food insecurity, and increasing amounts of food waste underscore the need for a transition toward more sustainable and just food systems. Public food procurement can be considered an important leverage point in sustainable transition processes. Based on a conceptual framework that combines sustainability, just transition, and the role of public food procurement, this study focuses on the role of municipalities in France (Normandy and Brittany) and Germany (Bavaria and Baden‐Württemberg) and analyzes their sustainability efforts. Seventeen urban and rural municipalities have been selected as they all engage with the issue of sustainable food but employ a variety of different models of school food management. Our methodology is based on a comparative approach, combining literature analysis and qualitative expert interviews with stakeholders from French and German local municipalities. Our analysis focuses on the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability, including organic share, food waste, local food, accessibility, diversity, education, and participation. Our research aim is to identify potentials and challenges in just food system transitions and appropriate policy measures for promoting sustainable public procurement in school canteens. The results show that direct public management models, that are not externalized through outsourcing to private catering companies, have more potential for defining high organic standards and for integrating local food into regional value chains.
Contamination-controlled upper gastrointestinal microbiota profiling reveals salivary-duodenal community types linked to opportunistic pathogen carriage and inflammation
(2025) Schmidt, Nina S.; Dörner, Elisabeth; Podlesny, Daniel; Bohlhammer, Elisabeth; Bubeck, Alena M.; Ruple, Hannah K.; Tetzlaff-Lelleck, Vivian; Sina, Christian; Schmidt, Herbert; Fricke, Florian W.
The upper gastrointestinal (uGI) microbiota has been implicated in infectious, metabolic, and immunological conditions, yet remains poorly characterized due to invasive sampling and low microbial biomass. We developed and validated a contamination-controlled 16S rRNA gene and transcript-based protocol to profile the murine and human uGI microbiota from low-biomass samples. We applied this protocol to murine esophageal, gastric, and duodenal tissues, and to human saliva, gastric, and duodenal aspirates from patients undergoing endoscopy for suspected food-related, mild GI symptoms. Our objective was to identify conserved compositional and structural uGI microbiota patterns and assess their clinical relevance in relation to pathogen burden and inflammation. In mice, we found evidence for transcriptionally inactive and active intestinal taxa along the uGI tract, supporting horizontal microbiota transfer. In humans, we identified two distinct, inversely correlated salivary microbiota types – one dominated by the Prevotella 7 genus – which were conserved in the duodenum. The Prevotella 7-dominated uGI microbiota type was associated with lower relative abundances of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal opportunistic pathogens. These patterns were reproducible in an independent cohort and associated with lower systemic TNF-α levels. Our findings suggest that noninvasive salivary microbiota profiling can stratify individuals based on uGI microbiota composition and inflammation-associated risk traits, offering new opportunities for clinical applications and translational studie
Metabolic adaptation to energetic demands of early lactation in Holstein Friesian and Simmental cows
(2025) Ruda, Lena; Straub, C.; Scholz, A.M.; Huber, Korinna
Holstein Friesian (HF) is the highest-performing dairy breed worldwide. However, this breed is prone to suffer from health disorders and infertility due to metabolic instability. The aim of the study was to use the metabolic differences between to breed, German HF and German Simmental (SI), for discussion of the biological impact of well-known and novel pathways and their respective indicators. Therefore, a targeted metabolomics approach combined with an examination of classical clinical chemistry using plasma samples was used to describe the metabolic status 42 days before expected calving and at day 21 of lactation. In total, 27 multiparous cows (HF n = 17, SI n = 10) were enrolled in the study. All cows were kept on the same farm under identical management, feeding and housing conditions. BW of HF cows dropped while SI cows maintained their BW but produced less milk than HF cows during the first weeks of lactation. Differences were detected for the following indicators and related pathways, and were used to assess their biological impact. Branched-chain amino acids such as leucine and isoleucine at day +21 remained as high as at day −42 in HF cows; however, in SI cows, a clear drop in these amino acids was observed indicating less body protein mobilisation in this breed. Alpha amino-adipic acid and kynurenine as markers for oxidative stress balance were increased at day +21 in HF cows, only reflecting a metabolically more tensed condition in HF cows. As a conclusion, these findings confirm the impact of these metabolites on a higher risk to suffer from metabolic disorders.
Growth performance, phytate degradation, and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens fed pelleted diets with varying feed particle sizes and phytase levels
(2025) Wolfrum, Stephanie; Francesch, Maria; Jimenez-Moya, Beatriz; Feuerstein, Dieter; Rodehutscord, Markus
The objective was to investigate the effects of feed particle size and microbial phytase supplementation of pelleted diets on growth performance, myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) degradation, and tibia characteristics in broiler chickens. Ross 308 broilers were housed in 56 floor pens in groups of 42, and seven pens were allocated to one of eight dietary treatments to measure the performance data on day 38 of age. From day 21 to 26, six birds from each floor pen were moved to metabolism units with the same distribution of treatments for digestibility and bone measurements. For the starter phase, two diets with fine or coarse particle size (429 or 657 µm mean particle size, determined after feed processing by wet sieving) were formulated and added with 500 FTU phytase/kg. For the grower and finisher phase, diets were arranged with two particle sizes (fine and coarse, 434 or 729 µm) and four phytase levels (0, 300, 600, and 1,200 FTU/kg). No significant interactions between particle size and phytase were determined. Prececal InsP6 disappearance and P digestibility were higher with fine than coarse particles, indicating that coarse grinding of rapeseed meal may not benefit birds. Increasing phytase supplementation increased ADG, ADFI, prececal InsP6 disappearance and P digestibility, tibia ash, and tibia breaking strength. Under the conditions of this study, birds were sufficiently supplied with P at a total P level of 4.0 g/kg and phytase supplementation of 1,200 FTU/kg. Renouncement of feed phosphate in the grower and finisher phase was possible without impaired performance.
Interactions between dietary phytate concentration and phytase level on phytate degradation and amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens
(2025) Wolfrum, Stephanie; Siegert, Wolfgang; Rubio-Cervantes, Ismael; Liebhold, Tina Marie; Feuerstein, Dieter; Camarinha-Silva, Amélia; Rodehutscord, Markus
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) concentration and added phytase on gastrointestinal InsP6 degradation, prececal digestibility of P, Ca, and amino acids (AA), and MEN in broiler chickens. Dietary InsP6 was increased by graded substitution of corn starch with a mixture of 50 % soybean meal, 20 % rapeseed meal, 20 % sunflower meal, and 10 % rice bran (oilseed meal-rice bran level (ORL)). The experiment was arranged in a 4 × 3-factorial design with 4 ORL (leading to 1.4, 1.9, 2.4, and 3.0 g InsP6-P/kg) and 3 phytase levels (500, 1,500, and 3,000 FTU/kg). Male Ross 308 broilers were allocated to 84 metabolism units in groups of 10 and assigned to 1 of the 12 diets. InsP6 disappearance in the crop decreased with increasing ORL (45 to 24 %; P = 0.001). Prececal InsP6 disappearance and P digestibility linearly decreased with increasing ORL at 500 FTU/kg (83 to 56 % and 80 to 62 %; P < 0.001). Minor differences were determined for prececal InsP6 disappearance and P digestibility among ORL at 1,500 and 3,000 FTU/kg, but values decreased with increasing ORL (91 to 83 % and 87 to 81 %, respectively; P < 0.001). When prececal InsP6 disappearance relative to FTU was regressed against dietary InsP6, the relationship was non-linear at 500 FTU/kg but linear at 1,500 and 3,000 FTU/kg. Cecal InsP6 concentration increased with ORL and decreased with phytase (P < 0.001). Except for cysteine, prececal digestibility of all AA and MEN decreased with increasing ORL. The data indicated that phytase supplemented at or above 1,500 FTU/kg did not limit gastrointestinal InsP6 degradation and AA digestibility at high InsP6 concentrations of the fee
How effective and efficient is the generation of nature-based carbon removal quantified according to the regulation on carbon removal and carbon farming certification? An evaluation based on the example of a hypothetical agroforestry system in Baden-Württemberg
(2025) Geier, Cecilia Roxanne; Angenendt, Elisabeth; Bahrs, Enno; Sponagel, Christian
Nature-based carbon removal (CR) could play a key role in achieving climate neutrality but it does face quantification challenges. This study evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of CR quantification under the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, using Baden-Württemberg (Germany) as a case study. We designed a hypothetical agroforestry system for valuable timber production compliant with the CRCF requirements, modelling potential GHG emission reductions and the benefit-potential ratio (share of the CRCF-compliant net CR benefit within the total GHG emission mitigation potential). The results revealed a significant shortfall between the total GHG mitigation potential (350 kt CO2eq) and the actual net CR benefit (205 kt CO2eq), representing only 5 % of BW’s agricultural emissions. The benefit-potential ratio was at most 59 %, with abatement costs ranging from €59 to €153 t CO2eq-1. Conservative estimates to improve reliability further lowered the ratio to 24 %, pushing costs to €244 t CO2eq-1. While agroforestry does manifest regional CR generation potential, it is unlikely to contribute significantly to large-scale CR under the current CRCF framework, as both flaws within its quantification base and the inherent properties of nature-based CR limit its effectiveness. Although transferability is restricted by focusing on valuable timber production in BW, our results highlighted the need for harmonized emission factors, system boundary definitions (particularly indirect land use change), and a clear distinction between CR (e.g., from carbon sequestration in soils) and reduced soil emissions. We advocate balancing the use of agroforestry with more durable CR strategies and imposing caps on nature-based CR contributions to ensure robust climate action.
Subsurface drip irrigation reduces weed infestation and irrigation water use while increasing inflorescence and cannabinoid yield in an outdoor tunnel Cannabis sativa L. production system
(2025) Büser, Christian; Hartung, Jens; Graeff-Hönninger, Simone
Cannabis ( Cannabis sativa L.) has served as a valuable medicinal plant for thousands of years and is experiencing a resurgence in cultivation and research due to recent legal changes. However, the resource-intensive nature of cannabis cultivation, particularly water and energy demands, poses significant environmental challenges. Outdoor cultivation in a semi-controlled environment can reduce those energy demands but necessitates irrigation. Drip irrigation (DI) is the most commonly used irrigation method but is often criticized for its susceptibility to water losses through evaporation and the risk of surface runoff. Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) provides a sustainable solution by minimizing evaporation losses while maintaining or increasing yields, thereby enhancing water use efficiency. In this study, we compared the effects of DI and SDI on weed infestation, total water usage, inflorescence yield, and water use efficiency of three CBD-rich cannabis chemotype III genotypes (Kanada, Terra Italia, FED) in an outdoor foil tunnel cultivation system. SDI resulted in a reduction of irrigation water usage by 18.6% compared to DI. Remarkably, weed dry biomass was reduced by 93.2% in SDI. Concomitantly, inflorescence yield increased by 5% and CBD concentration by 9%. Overall, the water use efficiency of inflorescence yield and CBD concentration was significantly higher in SDI than in DI. Our results indicated that implementing SDI instead of DI can significantly decrease irrigation water use and reduce weed infestation while increasing inflorescence and CBD yield, thus reducing the environmental challenges associated with cannabis cultivation.
Chloride application enhances photosynthesis and facilitates nitrate translocation while driving chloride translocation into roots
(2025) Wei, Guanghui; Zhang, Xudong; Franzisky, Bastian L.; Geilfus, Christoph‐Martin; Zörb, Christian
Chloride and nitrate are essential mineral elements for crop growth. Due to their similar physical and electrochemical properties, their uptake and translocation interact antagonistically. This suggests that applying chloride to the leaf canopy during the late grain‐filling stage of cereals might enhance nitrate use efficiency. Hence, it remains uncertain whether foliar‐applied chloride at the late growth stage stimulates nitrate translocation from mature to younger leaves. To explore this possibility, two contrasting faba bean varieties were grown in a climate‐controlled chamber. Nitrate concentrations of approximately 50 and 93 μg mg FW −1 , respectively, were established in leaves by depleting nitrogen in the rooting medium. Based on these two nitrate concentrations in mature leaves, chloride was applied to the leaf canopy. Measurements of biomass, photosynthesis, and nitrate and chloride concentrations in both young and mature leaves revealed that chloride foliar application raised nitrate levels in younger leaves from 7.1 to 9.5 μmol g FW −1 and boosted photosynthesis by approximately 35%. However, one of the two faba bean varieties did not respond significantly to the chloride foliar application. These findings indicate that chloride application facilitates nitrate translocation from mature to younger leaves, potentially improving grain nitrogen supply. As a result, nitrate use efficiency might be increased by chloride application during late growth stages, although this effect is genotype‐dependent.

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