The INTERREG project Food Pro.tec.ts is working on the following topic:

The plant genus Miscanthus belongs to the Poaceae family. Since 2018, its cultivation has been recognised as a greening measure in Germany and simultaneous use of the biomass is permitted. Its use as animal bedding provides farmers with an attractive internal utilisation option and has already been proven in a number of trials. Accordingly, this form of utilisation has become more widespread in recent years and will continue to increase in the future, particularly due to the recognition of miscanthus cultivation as a greening measure. As a result, the amount of this new type of manure from Miscanthus litter has increased and is used in practice without sufficient characterisation. The environmental impact of the fertiliser is completely unknown and presents political decision-makers and farmers with the challenge of evaluating the product with regard to the new fertiliser ordinance and using it as required. It is therefore essential to identify the influences on the nitrogen and carbon system after incorporation into the soil. These include the dynamics of N release, the effects on the microorganisms in the soil and the decomposition behaviour. In addition, further characterisation of the Miscanthus chopped material with regard to physical and chemical nitrogen fixation is required.