P-Campus Lecture Series 2021

Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for almost all living organisms on earth. Especially in agriculture, P fertilisers are needed to ensure high yields. At the same time, excess phosphorus, especially in water bodies, can lead to environmental problems such as excessive eutrophication. In order to reduce P inputs into aquatic environments, it is important to investigate the processes of change of P compounds along transport pathways from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Using a combination of wet chemical sequential P fractionation and innovative methods such as X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, P speciation was investigated in different transects from soil samples to adjacent sediments at the bottom of the water body. In the lecture, first the method principles will be explained, advantages and limitations of the methods will be shown and then current research results will be presented.

Date/Time
20.05.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Julia Prüter (Soil Science, University of Rostock)

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation Fee
free of charge

Abstract
Agriculture is facing urgent challenges. Society expects healthy, high-quality and at the same time cost-effective food that has been produced in a climate-, environmentally- and animal-friendly manner. Fossil raw materials must be replaced by renewable ones and material cycles must be closed. Climate change requires strategies and measures for prevention and adaptation.

The Leibniz-Innovationshof (Leibniz Innovation Farm) is a forward-looking agricultural enterprise where innovative concepts are researched and new technologies are put into practice with the aim of a consistent conversion to climate-friendly, biodiversity-promoting and sustainable production of biomass, its use for healthy nutrition and provision of bio-based materials and the return of organic residues to agricultural cycles. The Innovationshof thus covers the entire value chain of the bioeconomy as a bio-based circular economy. A key role for a sustainable bioeconomy is played by digitalisation with sensor technology, robotics, data processing and artificial intelligence for precision farming, precision horticulture and precision livestock farming. Digitised residue conversion and overarching material flow management are to be used, investigated, further developed and demonstrated on a large scale and in a holistic approach for the entire farm.

The Leibniz-Innovationshof is being built up from an existing farm. Investments will be used to redesign the farm, to equip it with the latest operational technology and for research work, and to make it suitable for the transfer of technology and knowledge and for visitor operations.

The lecture will present the concept for the Leibniz-Innovationshof.

Date/Time
03.06.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bathmann (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW))

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
The sand dunes of the Baltic Sea provide a unique habitat for the colonisation of cryptogamic vegetation, which includes biological soil crusts (biocrusts). Due to their versatile ecological functions, including the nutrient enrichment of soils, biocrusts are among the so-called "ecosystem engineers". The proven enrichment of the element phosphorus (P) in biocrusts indicates an important function of the microbial community in the P cycle. Thus, the proportion of bioavailable P increases simply due to the increase in organic material. In addition, bioavailability is influenced by community structure and species composition. Biochemical processes such as the excretion of protons (H⁺) during cell respiration or the secretion of organic acids support the solubility of aluminium- and iron-bound phosphate. Phosphatases bound to the cell wall and excreted by microorganisms hydrolyse organically bound phosphate and release it into the soil solution.

The lecture gives an insight into the P cycle in the sand dunes of the Baltic Sea. Potential relationships between the different available P pools and the successional stages of biocrusts will be further explored to deepen the basic understanding of microbial-mediated processes within the phosphorus cycle.

Date/Time
17.06.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Sandra Kammann (University of Rostock)

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
The valorization of CO₂ has attracted much attention in recent years. The chemical fixation of CO₂ remains challenging due to its thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness. In this context the conversion of CO₂ with energy-rich epoxides is an extensively studied reaction. The resulting cyclic carbonates have a wide range of applications. Recently, organocatalysts gained significant attention as potential catalysts for this reaction since they are cheap, non-toxic, and readily available with high potential of structural modification. Particularly, phosphorous-based organocatalysts showed superior activity. Herein bifunctional phosphonium salt catalysts for the CO₂ valorization with epoxides will be discussed. Based on kinetic investigations and DFT calculations, the superior performance of these catalysts is rationalized, and the reaction mechanism was elucidated. Moreover, the immobilization of this high-efficient catalyst class was achieved for the first time with plasma techniques.

Date/Time
01.07.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Dr. Yuya Hu (Leibniz Institute for Catalysis)

Language
English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
In 2019, the project ‘P-recycling in animal husbandry’ was launched by the Leibniz ScienceCampus Phosphorus Research and the University of Rostock to investigate possibilities for the reduction of nutrient waste in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Luo et al. (2010) demonstrated that depending on parameters such as feeding strategy, feed composition and fish size up to 60% of the provided phosphorus ingested by yellow catfish (P. fulvidraco) was excreted. In this context, the solid P fraction is of particular importance as it can be easily extracted via filter units. In order to reduce the loss of excess P a wet chemical Phosphorus recovery technology was developed to extract Phosphorus from RAS sludges with focus on MCP and DCP as recyclates. The seminar will introduce the applied methods in comparison with different technologies, conducted trials, analytical procedures and ideas for the future development of this project.

_{References
Luo, Z., Tan, X. Y., Liu, X., & Wang, W. M. (2010). Dietary total phosphorus requirement of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Aquaculture International, 18(5), 897–908. DOI: 10.1007/s10499-009-9310-2}

Date/Time
16.09.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Jonathan Schleyken (Water Management, University of Rostock)

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for marine life. The limited availability of this macronutrient in the ocean and the Baltic Sea has an impact on the primary production, species distributions and ecosystems structure^1,2. Continental weathering and anthropogenic activities are the main sources of it in marine environments. P is transported via riverine influxes in particulate (inorganic - PIP, organic - POP) and dissolved forms (inorganic - DIP, organic - DOP). Dissolved P forms transformation occurs in surface waters via biological cycling and remineralization, though microbial regeneration continues deep at the water-sediment interface³. The Baltic Sea is the ideal aquatic environment to inspect the effects of the climate changes and the human activities on the composition of marine microbial communities. Specifically, the limiting P role on the development of toxic cyanobacterial summer blooms is still unknown. Therefore, a multi-level approach involving laboratory investigations of a model cyanobacterium combined with field studies on cyanobacterial communities has been initiated and will be herein discussed.

^{[1] Benitez-Nelson, C. R. Earth Sci. ReV. 2000, 51, 109.
[2] Smith, S. V. Limnol. Oceanogr. 1984, 29, 1149.
[3] Paytan and McLaughin. Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 563−576.}

Date/Time
14.10.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Mariano Santoro (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW))

Language
English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
The goals of the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity require a sustainable transition. The agricultural sector plays a dual role in this transition: it can accelerate climate change through e.g. unsustainable soil management while also acting as carbon sink where soils build up organic matter. Sustainable nutrient management sits at the intersection of these two issues. One essential nutrient for plant growth is phosphorus. Issues arise where unsustainable phosphorus management leads to e.g. nutrient deficits or phosphorus accumulation in soils which increases organic decomposition as well as discharges into water bodies resulting in eutrophication. In turn, sustainable phosphorus management which is characterised through e.g. needs-based and site-adapted fertilisation can contribute to combat global environmental challenges. Against this background, this presentation aims to provide a comprehensive review on agricultural subsidies and discuss the role of this policy instrument in transitioning towards sustainability with a focus on fertilising and phosphorus management. To this end, a qualitative governance analysis is applied which aims to assess the effectiveness of existing or proposed governance instruments against given goals. The analysis will focus on the extent to which the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU contributes to sustainable phosphorus management.

Date/Time
11.11.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Katharine Heyl (Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Policy)

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge

postponed from 30.09.2021 to 25.11.2021

Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) are important forage legumes cultivated around the world. Phosphorus (P) plays an important role in their growth, therefore P fertilisers are usually applied during their cultivation. However, the interspecific and intraspecific P efficiency of alfalfa and red clover to utilise P from different fertilisers are less well studied. A field trial and a pot experiment were conducted at the University of Rostock, North-Eastern Germany, to test the P efficiency of eight selected accessions each of alfalfa and red clover in utilising P from different sources. This lecture is based on these two experiments and will introduce some basic knowledge of alfalfa and red clover, background of P recycling products, as well as available results from the two experiments regarding plant P uptake and P efficiency of both species.

Date/Time
25.11.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Yue Hu (Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK))

Language
English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
The current phosphorus (P) use is inefficient and causes environmental problems associated with P losses from organic waste. Therefore, recycling of P from sewage sludge could be an alternative source of P for animal diets and thus contribute to P sustainability. However, sewage sludge P recycling  is potentially associated with restricted P bioavailability, toxic organic compounds and heavy metals contaminations. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been suggested as potential ingredients for chicken feed. As shown in the literature, BSFL can accumulate certain minerals in the body. We produced BSFL with increased P content using substrates mixed with recycled sewage sludge and evaluated the effects of feeding recycled P enriched BSFL to broilers. This presentation will introduce the concept of BSFL use for waste treatment and reports preliminary results of our study using BSFL reared on substrates mixed with recycled P and other minerals in broiler diets.

Date/Time
02.12.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Seyed Mohammad Mahdi Seyed almoosavi (Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN))

Language
English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
Increasing levels of CO₂ emissions have motivated the valorization of this greenhouse gas as a C1 building block. However, chemical fixation of CO₂ into valuable products remains as a challenge due to its thermodynamic and kinetic inertness. In this regard, an interesting and useful reaction is the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by non-reductive addition of CO₂ to epoxides.^[1] Among reported catalysts, phosphonium salts offer great advantages due to their high activity, stability and potential recyclability.^[2] Furthermore, their versatility allows modifications on their structure that led to the rational design of highly efficient bifunctional catalysts.^[3a-c] Herein the development of phosphonium salts for CO₂ fixation into cyclic carbonates will be presented in detail, together with perspectives for future research on the topic.

^[1] H. Büttner, L. Longwitz, J. Steinbauer, C. Wulf, T. Werner, Top. Curr. Chem. 2017, 375, 50.
^[2] T. Werner, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2009, 351, 1469–1481.
^[3] a) H. Büttner, T. Werner, ChemSusChem 2014, 7, 3268–3271; b) J. Steinbauer, L. Longwitz, M. Frank, J. Epping, U. Kragl, T. Werner, Green Chem. 2017, 19, 4435–4445; c) Y. Toda, K. Hashimoto, Y. Mori, H. Suga, J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 10980–10987.

Date/Time
16.12.2021 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Constanza Terazzi (Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT))

Language
English

Participation fee
free of charge

Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plays an important role for food supply and starch production alike. Crucial for sustaining both high yields and starch quality is a sustainable phosphorus (P) fertilization. Compared to other crops, potatoes have a relatively poor P acquisition efficiency, which is mainly due to their shallow and sparsely branched root system. New cultivars with improved P efficiency may contribute to save limited mineral P sources and to reduce eutrophication of surface water bodies. To characterise the phenotypic variation of P deficiency reactions, 200 different potato accessions, comprising clones from the Gross Lüsewitz Potato Collections (GLKS) and modern cultivars, were used in both rhizotron and pot experiments. In addition, a field experiment with two selected accessions has been conducted. This presentation will offer the preliminary results of these experiments and gives some outlook to the future of the project.

Date/Time
13.01.2022 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Julian Kirchgesser (Agronomy, University of Rostock)

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge

postponed from 28.10.2021 to 20.01.2022

Abstract
As resources are scarce and the world focuses upon ecological awareness, the demand for organically grown produce is trending upwards. While organic farming focuses on reducing the use of plant protection products and fertilization to a sensible minimum, it is aiming to maintain high quality standards and satisfactory yields. The application of fertilizer in farming can also be restricted by government regulations, such as the Fertilizing Ordinance in Germany. However, as adequate mineralization is essential to growing field crops, such as potatoes, farming organically can be challenging. Therefore, not only the improvement of fertilizing strategies, but further the identification of efficiency mechanisms and subsequent selection of nutrient-efficient potato varieties plays a major role in tackling the challenges organic farmers are facing today.
This presentation will give an insight into the aforementioned N and P efficiency mechanisms in potato.

Date/Time
20.01.2022 / 3:00 pm - ca. 4:00 pm (incl. questions)

Lecturer
Rebekka Erlinghagen (Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK))

Language
German / slides of the presentation will be in English

Participation fee
free of charge