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Ryan Pearson

PhD thesis

Functionalization of biochar with biostimulants in potato cultivation

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Bruno Glaser

Topics

Biochar, potatoes, sorption processes, sustainable agriculture

Projects

Ensuring variety-typical tuber formation by promoting the plants' resilience against climatic stress with the help of various biostimulants and optimized time frames (KAstab)

https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/projects/kastab_en   

https://projekte.eip-nds.de/nachhaltige-pflanzenproduktion/kastab-biostimulanzien-fuer-eine-gute-kartoffelernte/   

Conference contributions

• Pearson, R., Gross, A., Bromm, T., and Glaser, B.: Vertical biochar transport in soil in a long-term field experiment in Germany, in Proceedings [Elektronski izvor] / TwinSubDyn   Summer School on Sustainable Organic Amendment Applications from a Soil and Ground Water Management Perspective - Learning, Training, and Knowledge Exchange Activity, 2–6. June 2025, Novi Sad, Serbia; [editors Srđan   Rončević ... [et al.]. - Novi Sad: Faculty of Sciences, ISBN 978-86-7031-718-5, p. 7. https://twinsubdyn.pmf.uns.ac.rs/assets/pdf/Proceedings%20-%20TSD%20Summer%20School%20-%20CIP.pdf   

• Pearson, R., Gross, A., Bromm, T., and Glaser, B.: Vertical biochar transport in soil in a long-term field experiment in Germany, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18297, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18297   

Curriculum vitae

Education

Since 10/2025
PhD student, Soil Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

09/2023–02/2024
Semester abroad, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

10/2021–08/2025
M.Sc. Natural Resources Management, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Master’s thesis: Vertical biochar transport in a sandy loam Cambisol in a long-term field experiment in Southern Germany

10/2017–12/2021
B.Sc. Natural Resources Management, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Bachelor’s thesis: Change of phytolith solubility in rice paddy soils

Research experience

Since 10/2025
Research associate, Soil Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

05/2024–09/2025
Student research assistant, Soil Biogeochemistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

06–09/2022
Student research assistant, Soil Science and Soil Protection, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

11/2021–09/2025
Student research assistant, Applied Geology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

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