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Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences

© Wim Wätjen / Uni Halle

© Wim Wätjen / Uni Halle

Interessantes und Erfolgreiches

65. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Pflanzenbauwissenschaften vom 23. bis 25. September in Halle

Prof. Janna Macholdt and Prof. Marcel Quint are hosting this year's annual scientific conference of the Gesellschaft für Pflanzenbauwissenschaften, which they have given the theme “Planetary Boundaries: Rising to the Challenges Ahead”.

Keeping Nitrogen and Water in the System

What do catch crops do in terms of nitrogen conservation and what influence do they have on soil water? A joint research project between the Chair of Agronomy and Organic Farming (MLU), Agrarberatung Dreyer and the Deutscher Wetterdienst has looked into this topic—focusing on the question: “How much water do catch crops draw and how much water is available for subsequent crops?”

Study Information Day on June 4, 2025

Under the title “Studying with a Future: An Overview of Agricultural Sciences”, a study information day was held at the IAEW for the first time on June 4, 2025 from 1pm.
Interested pupils were able to gain a variety of insights into the study of Agricultural Sciences in guided tours on topics such as soil compaction, plant research and animal science. It became clear how diverse the subject is and which central topics are addressed. Discussions with the Student Council continued into the evening to clarify any remaining questions.

University Information Day on May 24, 2025

At this year's University Information Day, the IAEW once again provided young people with information about study opportunities. Prof. Mikutta and Prof. Wätjen gave a brief overview of the agricultural and nutritional science degree courses. Institute staff and students answered the many questions of those interested. In addition, interested pupils visited the IAEW as part of a guided tour by Prof. Pillen. The University Information Day ended at around 3pm in fine weather.

Hands-On Agriculture

Once again this year, over 20 students from a wide range of disciplines took part in the three-day excursion of the ASQ “Zukunftsfähige Landwirtschaft” (Sustainable Agriculture). They visited research facilities as well as farms of different production types and sizes. The ASQ is supervised by the Chair of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Policy.

Graduation Ceremony for graduates of the Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences

On April 5, 2025, the Graduation Ceremony for Master's students from the Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences took place in the auditorium of the Löwengebäude. The event, which was attended by around 120 people, was organized—as every year—with great commitment by the students of the Institute. In addition to the awarding of certificates, a highlight of the event was the award ceremony for the best graduates of 2024.

Ceremonial Opening of the DiP Research Network with Representatives from Research, Business, Politics, and Society

The south of Saxony-Anhalt is to become a model region for a climate-neutral and sustainable bioeconomy with high-value jobs. This is the goal of the joint project “Digitalisierung pflanzlicher Wertschöpfungsketten” (Digitalization of Plant Value Chains; DiP), which is being funded by the BMBF with up to 105 million euros as part of the National Bioeconomy Strategy and the Strukturstärkungsgesetz Kohleregionen im Mitteldeutschen Revier (Economic Strengthening Act for Central Germany's Coal Regions). Saxony-Anhalt's Science Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann and BMBF State Secretary Dr. Karl-Eugen Huthmacher were informed about the status of the 19 collaborative projects in the first funding phase (2024-04 to 2028-12) at the DiP kick-off event on March 4, 2025 at the IPK in Gatersleben. Prof. Dr. Klaus Pillen (MLU) is coordinating the project with more than 50 partners from science and industry.

Nutritional Sciences of the MLU Take Over Scientific Management of the 62nd Congress of the German Nutrition Society

Prof. Andrea Henze, Prof. Gabriele Stangl and Prof. Wim Wätjen are responsible for the scientific organization of this year's DGE Congress with their expertise in the field of nutritional science, which they have placed under the theme “What determines our food choices? The influence of culture and biology”.

Nitrous Oxide—in the Focus of Research

At the Chair of “Agronomy & Organic Farming” the role of nitrous oxide in agriculture as well as possible detection and reduction measures have been researched in various projects for years. The aim of the research is to find out how farmers can make their N fertilization more efficient, save greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time secure their yields—for example by using inhibitors. The research projects are therefore of great importance for the development of sustainable and climate-resilient crop production systems.

How the Pig Got Its Flat Snout

The domestic animal collection from the MLU Institute of Agriculture is making headlines with its pigs. A team led by Dr. Renate Schafberg has discovered that domestic pigs have changed significantly over the last 100 years. Breeding selection has greatly shortened the pig's snout and widened its skull. Humans have done it: evolution in fast-forward.

The Puzzle of Plant Proteins

A research team led by Prof. Marcel Quint has received millions in funding to better understand genetic processes in nature and use this knowledge in a targeted manner. The Collaborative Research Center “Plant Proteoform Diversity” will investigate how minimal changes in the genetic material of plants influence the functioning of proteins.

Does Hedging Reduce Entrepreneurial Risk?

A study of 2,200 farms by Lukas Sigl and Prof. Norbert Hirschauer shows that in the majority of cases, “hedging” with commodity futures would have only slightly reduced or even increased “whole-farm risk”. This contradicts the positive and hasty assessment of many agricultural economists.

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