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Agroecological assessment of the cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) as a biomass plant of the future
Project
Project code: TI-BD-08-PID710
Contract period: 01.03.2012
- 31.07.2015
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: crop rotation, reduction of pesticides, soil biodiversity
The cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) with its high yielding ability is a promising candidate for biomass production to counteract short maize crop rotations and monotonous agricultural landscapes. The perennial lifecycle, a long-lasting flowering period as well as low tillage and low requirements of plant protection measures imply positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The general aim is to investigate the impact of the cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) on agroecosystems with a focus on functional aspects of biodiversity. The project will provide scientific guidance for a sustainable establishment of the cup plant cropping system. This project focusses on soil biodiversity with following aims: (i) Monitoring of soil fauna communities regarding the structural diversity of nematodes, collembolans and earthworms in crop stands of different age during the vegetation period; (ii) Assessment of the functional role of soil biodiversity rearding decomposition dynamics of crop residues and C- and N- dynamics in soil.
The results show a trend towards higher functional complexity and biodiversity in older S. perfoliatum fields. Younger fields show small differences compared to maize. The perennial cropping system of S. perfoliatum seems to build niches for a greater variety of life forms in agroecosystems and consequently facilitates decomposition processes.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agroecology
- Soil science
