Responsible for the topic: Dr. Werner Berg  ( Dept.2)

Team: Prof. Dr. Reiner Brunsch (Dept. 5), Dr. PD Bernd Linke (Dept. 1), Dr. Monika Heiermann (Dept. 2), Dr. Jürgen Kern (Dept. 1), Dr. Annett Model (Dept. 5),Dr. Hans-Joachim Müller(Dept. 5), Dr. Meno Türk (Dept. 5)

Environmentally sound use of manures
 Animal manure from livestock farms is an important source of nutrients and humus. For the best use of this source, nutrient losses and adverse effects on the environment, in the form of harmful emissions, have to be minimised. Dealing with manure, these aspects have to be taken into consideration in all spheres, from the animal house beyond manure storage and processing up to field application. Investigations focus on cattle, pig and poultry husbandry. The material properties of the different manures, influencing their use and management, have to be characterised. The effects of manure management and treatment on material properties, nutrient and pollutant contents and emissions are analysed. Attention is concentrated on the substances nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon. Results of the research are provided for farmers, manufacturers of agricultural machinery, advisors, public authorities and science. Methods of research are:

• determinaton of chemical and physical, including rheological properties of liquid and solid manures
• determination of gaseous emissions from animal houses and during manure storage in laboratory scale
• development of algorithms for describing substance conversions in manures
• assessment of effects on plant cultivation, ecology and economy.

  Research structure (overview)