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Grapevine Breeding and Grafting
The department conducts clonal selection of traditional German scion varieties e.g. White Riesling, Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc and Müller-Thurgau (crossed at Geisenheim in 1882). To preserve the genetic variability of indigenous German varieties, unique genetic material is collected from old vineyards and conserved in the sections germplasm collections.
Geisenheim rootstock varieties and clones, e.g. Kober 5BB, 5C Geisenheim or Börner are used in many wine growing regions. The motherblocks are located in several European and overseas countries.
Viticulture
The department of Viticulture uses 22 ha of experimental vineyards. Currently, interdisciplinary research is focused on: environmental stress effects on grapevine physiology and fruit maturation, with particular emphasis on the possible effects of climate change; secondary metabolites formed during fruit development; water stress signals and the use of new technologies to guide irrigation; steep slope viticulture and new technologies for mechanization and efficient soil water management. Additional projects comprise the optimization of vineyard management practices for red- and white varieties and organic viticulture.
Enology and Wine Technology
The department of Enology investigates all technological questions in winemaking.
Main focus is on the development and optimization of various process technologies in winemaking with the aiming at a improved product quality.
New enological practices have to be thoroughly examined in order to obtain approval according to the German Wine Law.
In addition the Enology Section has a very good domestic and international reputation concerning all questions about cork and alternative closures.
Wine Analysis / Beverage Research
Processing of alcohol-free beverages like fruit and vegetable juices, nectars and carbonated drinks is in the main focus of this section. During processing of fruits and vegetables, the transfer of secondary plant metabolites into the liquid phase has to be optimised. All products are extensively characterised in the accompanying laboratories by analytical and sensory means. Beside routine parameters, main emphasis is given to colourless polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids and aroma substances.
Microbiology and Biochemistry
Main research subjects include: metabolism of microorganisms involved in fermentation processes, factors influencing fermentation and product quality, by-products of fermentation and their effects on product quality, microbiological spoilage and its influence on wine and other beverages. The section also consults national and international institutions as well as industry with regard to quality improvement and prevention of microbiological defects.
Vegetable Crops
The intention of our research is to investigate environmentally sound and efficient cultivation as well as quality and water management of asparagus and other vegetables crops. Due to achievements in our studies of storage carbohydrates in asparagus the development of the asparagus plant is controllable in an objective way.
Investigations of water management focus on the early detection and thus prevention of drought stress in asparagus plants. Further examinations are carried out to determine the influence of water quantity on enriching nutritional contents of vegetable crops.
The activities focuses on breeding research in plums and special fields like columnar growing apples as well as pear rootstocks. The main emphasis aspects are quality, disease resistance and maturity.
Research is although related on identification and quantification of external and internal quality criteria of fruits and factors influencing them. The section has several experimental orchards where several fruit species are evaluated with regard to production including organic production, quality and processing ability.
The research of the department is based equally on the needs of production, trade, and customers in horticulture. Presently the main focus is on the development of methods to quantify the inner quality of floricultural and hardy woody ornamentals. Thus to provide a basis for predicting e.g. vase life and field performance of plants. Further programs are on the oxygen supply within growing media in interior greening, and on the adaptation of pot plants to drought stress with the consumer.
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Examination of the best use of nutrients in viti- and horticulture. Soil, leaf and plant analysis for exact regulation of nutrient supply. Investigation of the association between nutrient supply and plant quality.
Influence of factors affecting stress on the formation of plant substances in grapes and and horticultural products. Importance of the antioxidative potential of plants in stress physiology. Investigation of the association origin of atypical aging (ATA) characteristics in wine and other undesireable components in wine. Association between soil and landscape conditions on quality of wine; terroir in viticulture.
Botany
Application-oriented biotechnological research aimed at the development, optimisation and application of methods in plant in vitro culture and in plant gene technology. Main research topics: molecular characterisation of the hypersensitivity reaction in Phylloxera-resistant grapevine rootstocks; molecular and histological basics of regeneration and transformation competence in horticultural crop plants and grapevine.
Phytomedicine
The Department of Phytomedicine conducts research on plant pathogens and pests of grapevine and horticultural crop plants both in the field as well as in the greenhouse. Our research covers different disciplines in phytomedicine, such as the biological and genetic characterization of respective disease agents, the development and optimization of plant protection strategies in integrated and organic viticulture or horticulture, the application of molecular methods to understand plant-pest-interactions as well as pest’s population genetics, the optimization of phytosanitary aspects of soil less cultivation or the improvement of forecasts of epidemics by using disease models.
We also teach plant protection at different levels to students of viticulture and horticulture of the University of Applied Sciences, RheinMain, resulting in a close and stimulating interaction between science and education.
Economics and Market Research
Studies of wine and horticultural industries on both national and international (EC-countries), micro and macroeconomic levels. Research is devided into following subjects: Market analyses (quantitative and qualitative), Marketing (methodology, outlet analyses, development of concepts), benefit-cost analyses of corporate structure, evaluation of market policies. The section is working on a database about the national und international wine business.
Viticultural Engineering
Department`s research applies to development and testing of technical equipments for viticulture. As results for practical use mainly parameters of function quality and labour economy are created. Moreover also the increasing importance of ecological assessment has to be taken into account. Priorities of research concern solutions for mechanisation of steep-slope viticulture and application technique in plant protection. In accordance with the general direction of development in agricultural engineering also the use of electronic solutions for viticultural machinery comes to the fore.