Sandra Muenzel
Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Germany
Healthy apples by increasing soil vitality – Monitoring results of extensive soil analyses on Central European farms
Dr. rer nat. Sandra Muenzel has been working on the improvement of soils in extreme locations worldwide since her studies of geoecology in Potsdam. Initially working as a lecturer with students in the field, she has been conducting research since 2020 at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) e.V. to increase soil vitality in vegetable production. The IGZ conducts basic plant science research with a view to possible applications in vegetable and ornamental plants and in the use of plant biodiversity.
The importance of soil as the basis of food production for a constantly growing world population is existential. With the idea that healthy fruits and vegetables grow on healthy soils, IGZ initiated a project to scientifically accompany the improvement of soil fertility in pilot farms. Based on the monitoring of many soil parameters in 13 different apple plants, measures for its continuation with the aim of a healthy product quality are tested and scientifically accompanied. The results are differentiated according to tree rows and interrows.