BAtroS - Bodenmelioration und Anbauverfahren für trockenheitsgefährdete Standorte | Umweltbundesamt

Current regional climate models

For various parts of Germany present climate scenarios indicate a potentially increasing risk of drought events primarily occurring in the growing season. Among these areas the Southeast of Brandenburg is supposed to be most affected by the continental climate which causes fundamental problems for agriculture. Mainly during winter a replenishment of ground water supply is taking place. There are broad areas showing a high amount of sandy soils, low water holding capacity, low nutrient supply and therefore a low productivity. For reasons of landscape conservation it is recently thought to grow renewable primary products at these sites. Further decrease of precipitation during summer would cause problems in watering crop plants in this area.

Already nowadays the Niederlausitz is influenced by a sub continental and continental climate.  A replenishment of ground water supply is mainly occurring during winter. Coincident there are widespread areas in the Niederlausitz showing a high amount of sandy soils, low water holding capacity, low nutrient supply and therefore a low productivity of biomass.

A technique to improve the water holding capacity in sandy and potentially dry soils will be developed. Soil amelioration technologies which may increase the water storage capacity of soils and, hence, the access of plants to soil water were in the focus. Different types of both humic and synthetic soil enhancers were tested in a field experiment. Results of the first two years showed that soil enhancers do affect properties of sandy soils regarding the increase of water storage capacity and biomass. Particularly the combination of different types of soil enhancers had positive impacts. Concerning the degradation rate in the soil there were distinct differences. Combined enhancers might also be of advantage with regard to long-time effects on soil properties. Additionally the development of modern seeding material (coated seeds) will be continued to ensure the germination in dry habitats. The combination of soil enhancers and coated seeds will be tested in a pilot plant. To improve the incorporation of soil enhancers new techniques will be tested. A guideline will be developed to support people concerned in choosing the appropriate techniques. The combination of different types of soil enhancers is seen as a possibility to increase the biomass yield of energy crops and renewable primary products and to avoid the degradation of locations with marginal agricultural yields. There is a great potential in the use of soil enhancers for Mediterranean regions suffering from desertification.

Regarding the water supply there is potential for conflicts. In the course of improving the water holding capacity in sandy and potentially dry soils, sustainability shall be considered.