Located in a relatively dry region and characterized by mainly sandy soils, the German Federal State of Brandenburg (surrounding the capital city of Berlin) is especially vulnerable to climate change impacts (e.g. summer droughts) and cascading effects on ecological systems (e.g. decreasing ground water tables, water stress, fire risk, productivity losses) with socioeconomic implications. Furthermore, a complex interplay of unemployment, rural exodus, and an aging population challenges this structurally weak region. We discuss adaptation measures that are either implemented or planned, as well as research into adaptation strategies to climate change for the sectors forestry, 1
To support the adaption of soybean [Glycine max (L) Merrill] cultivation across Central Europe, the availability of compatible soybean nodulating Bradyrhizobia (SNB) is essential. Little is known about the symbiotic potential of indigenous SNB in Central Europe and the interaction with an SNB inoculum from commercial products. The objective of this study was to quantify the capacity of indigenous and inoculated SNB strains on the symbiotic performance of soybean in a pot experiment, using soils with and without soybean history. Under controlled conditions in a growth chamber, the study focused on two main factors: a soybean cropping interval (time since the last soybean cultivation; SCI) and inoculation with commercial Bradyrhizobia strains. Comparing the two types of soil, without soybean history and with 1–4 years SCI, we found out that plants grown in soil with soybean history and without inoculation had significantly more root nodules and higher nitrogen content in the plant tissue. These parameters, along with the leghemoglobin content, were found to be a variable among soils with 1–4 years SCI and did not show a trend over the years. Inoculation in soil without soybean history showed a significant increase in a nodulation rate, leghemoglobin content, and soybean tissue nitrogen concentration. The study found that response to inoculation varied significantly as per locations in soil with previous soybean cultivation history. An inoculated soybean grown on loamy sandy soils from the location Müncheberg had significantly more nodules as well as higher green tissue nitrogen concentration compared with non-inoculated plants. No significant improvement in a nodulation rate and tissue nitrogen concentration was observed for an inoculated soybean grown on loamy sandy soils from the location Fehrow. These results suggest that introduced SNB strains remained viable in the soil and were still symbiotically competent for up to 4 years after soybean cultivation. However, the symbiotic performance of the SNB remaining in the soils was not sufficient in all cases and makes inoculation with commercial products necessary. The SNB strains found in the soil of Central Europe could also be promising candidates for the development of inoculants and already represent a contribution to the successful cultivation of soybeans in Central Europe.
Adapting agricultural systems to the effects of climate change requires farm-specific innovations and adaptive measures. Such innovative measures were developed for organic farming systems in the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany by a regional innovation network using an action research approach. The goal of the presented approach was to address climate change-related farm-specific problems, develop specific adaptation measures and learn new approaches such as proactive risk management and strategic adaptive behaviour. In a cyclical process of analysis, planning, action and reflection, the network of researchers and organic farmers repeatedly used SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses to structure the transdisciplinary innovation and adaption process. First, the organic farmers identified as main weaknesses the water and nitrogen supply likely to be worsened by climate change; then, farmspecific adaption measures were identified and tested by conducting on-farm experiments at six organic farms. By evaluating and thus adjusting and retesting the measures in consecutive trials, new farming methods were developed to increase diversification and decrease risk in organic farming practices. Along with the iterative process, the network was expanding and the collective learning process led to changes in attitudes and behaviour. A clear example is the stakeholders' initially positive view of reduced tillage, which they later questioned and changed. The participating organic farmers proved to be active partners; their openness to innovation and their approach to problem solving make them well suited to action research. In adapting regions to climate change, these kinds of stakeholders will play a decisive role.
Introducing agro-ecological techniques such as no-tillage systems with cover crops in rotations with soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) could provide more resilience to changing climatic conditions and, at the same time, reduce soil erosion, nitrate leaching, and weed density in the main crop. However, there are challenges in introducing no-tillage techniques in crop systems in Europe as there is little quantitative knowledge about the agro-economic impact. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the agronomic and economic impacts of three soybean cropping systems involving a rye (Secale cereal L.) cover crop prior to soybean, i.e., two no-tillage systems; either herbicide-free with crimping the rye or herbicide-based without rye crimping and one plough-based in which rye was cut as green silage. The impacts of these cropping strategies were compared in a three-year cropping system experiment at a research station in north-eastern Germany with and without irrigation. The following parameters were measured: (1) cover crop biomass; (2) weed biomass; (3) soybean plant density; (4) soybean grain yield; and (5) gross margin of the cropping system. The results showed that all three soybean cropping systems can effectively suppress weeds. System (C), the no-tillage herbicide-based system, produced the lowest rye biomass and highest soybean yield; system (B), the no-tillage herbicide-free/crimped rye system, produced the highest rye biomass and lowest soybean yield compared to system (A), the standard cutting/plough-based system. The differences in rye biomass and soybean yield observed between the three systems could be mainly attributed to the timing of the cover crop termination and the soybean sowing date. The gross margin was highest in system (C), due to the high soybean grain yield. The low soybean grain yield in system (B) resulted in lower revenues and gross margins compared to systems (A) and (C), although system (B) could be economically attractive in organic farming with higher prices for organic soybean. In the particularly dry year 2016, gross margins were higher when soybean was irrigated compared to the rainfed cultivation, due to significantly higher grain yields. Before recommending the application of the no-tillage with cover crop technique for the conditions tested in north-eastern Germany, more investigations on the benefits and risks of this technique are needed. Further research needs to focus on maintaining a high rye biomass as well as on ensuring an early soybean planting date. Optimizing the crimping and drilling equipment is still required in order to develop good management practices for no-tillage herbicide-free systems in European conditions.
Multispecies legume-grass swards (LGS) within crop rotations are the primary source for nitrogen and livestock forage in organic farming systems (OFS) in Europe. At the same time, LGS are very susceptible to the effects of climate change on OFS in dryer regions. In order to predict changes in annual and seasonal LGS yields, the number and dates of LGS cuts and drought impact, an empirical statistical yield model based on alfalfa (A) and red clover (B) was applied to two of the driest areas within Germany: the 'Spreewald' (SP), with sandy soils only suited for red clover and the 'Uckermark' (UM) with sandy loams. Weather data series from 1972 to 2008 and two regional warming scenarios for 2062-2092, namely 'Dry' and 'Wet', were used to calculate the impacts. Only the scenario 'Dry' predicts an annual yield reduction (about 20 %), for both regions. This impact can be attributed to (1) the first cut is early by four weeks (decreasing the yield by 0.5 t ha -1 ), (2), the third cut is often delayed (caused by water deficiency) and (3) eventual impracticality of a fourth cut. In contrast, the second cut increased by 1 t ha -1 for 'Wet'. In SP, frequent severe drought impacts are predicted for red clover LGS. This deleterious impact of the 'Dry' scenario can be partially compensated only in UM when alfalfa is used, which showed lower susceptibility to drought. Along with the predicted yield reduction, an increased vulnerability of organic farms in both study regions cannot be prevented.
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