ClimateApples: Improving Soil Organic Matter in Apple Orchards
Between slow soil organic matter build-up processes, climate-induced losses, and limited measures, fruit growing holds great potential to make soils more resilient and production systems more future-proof.
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Transfer of grass mulch onto the tree row. (C. Lau) -
Top-working of an existing orchard. (C. Lau) -
Knowledge transfer in one of the project’s apple orchards. (K. Biegert)
ClimateApples is part of the joint project HumusAllianz – a model and demonstration initiative within the four specialty crops apple, vegetables, hops, and wine, aimed at testing and supporting soil organic matter-enhancing measures. Key German apple-growing regions are involved, such as Lake Constance with KOB Bavendorf, the Palatinate with HGU Geisenheim, and the Altes Land with Esteburg Jork and ÖON.
At KOB, the teams for Yield Physiology & Production Technology and Organic Fruit Growing investigate practical measures for building and maintaining soil organic matter and adapt these to the soil and climate conditions of the participating orchard sites. The participatory approach ensures that the growers’ experiences and ideas actively contribute to the development and evaluation of the measures.
The project is implemented on 12 organically and conventional managed orchards, using various measures:
• Application of compost
• Lime and gypsum amendments
• Top-working an existing orchard compared to replanting
• Permanent cover cropping of alleyways with different sward mixtures
• Mulching with transfer into the tree row
• Dense sowing of peas and vetches in the tree row
• Green manure prior to replanting
All measures are scientifically supervised and coordinated, promoting exchange among growers. This creates a network where knowledge is shared, experiences are discussed, and new insights can subsequently be transferred into practice.
Learn more about the project and the measures at the booth of Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB) in Hall B1 – No. 534.
The project is supported by funds of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) based on a decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. The project is managed by Fachagentur für nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).
For more information:
https://www.kob-bavendorf.de/projekt-archiv/climateapples.html
https://humusallianz.de/
