Abschlussarbeit

Topic: “Reduction of nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions through processing of crop residues in vegetable open-field cultivation“

Start: beginning of May 2026

Background:

In vegetable cultivation, high nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ammonia (NH₃) emissions occur after harvest due to crop residues, especially with late-harvested cabbage when no cover crops or winter crops can be established.

These emissions are to be reduced by removing and processing the cabbage crop residues through composting, ensiling, and anaerobic digestion. The residues will be reintroduced to the field in the spring to utilize the nutrients for the following crop, beetroot, and to increase nitrogen transfer efficiency. In addition to studying nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions, the content of mineral nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the soil will be monitored to assess and evaluate potential leaching losses.

This study aims to evaluate the gaseous nitrogen losses and agronomic potential of these valorized products when re-applied as organic amendments in vegetable production.

Tasks:

• Measurements of gaseous nitrogen emissions in field experiments using the static chamber method
• Providing assistance in soil sample collection and laboratory
• Supporting root beet field management

This topic is especially relevant for students in agricultural sciences, horticultural sciences or similar studies.

The work is carried out at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops in Großbeeren.

If you are interested, please contact us via mail:

Dr. Hao Chen / Dr. André Sradnick , Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops Großbeeren e.V., Department HORTSYS-1, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, 14979 Großbeeren, Tel.: 033701 78 168, / chen@igzev.de/ sradnick@igzev.de