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@INPROCEEDINGS{Jablonowski:1043305,
      author       = {Jablonowski, Nicolai David and Ohrem, Benedict and
                      Jedmowski, Christoph and Grosch, Yannis and Königs, Bente
                      and Neuwohner, Andrea and Ademi, Ali and Quarten, Michael
                      and Beckmann, Silas and Najjar, Ashwaq and Schrey, Silvia
                      and Kuhn, Arnd Jürgen and Rascher, Uwe and Schurr, Ulrich
                      and Kuchendorf, Christina},
      title        = {{F}ield-{S}cale {S}trategies for {B}iomass {C}ultivation on
                      {D}egraded {S}oils: {I}nsights from the {M}arginal {F}ield
                      {L}ab},
      reportid     = {FZJ-2025-02826},
      year         = {2025},
      abstract     = {In the pursuit of a sustainable and bio-based economy, the
                      reliable supply of biomass for material and energetic
                      applications remains a significant challenge. To prevent
                      competition with food production, alternative strategies are
                      required—particularly the utilization and ecological
                      upgrading of nutrient-deficient, sandy marginal soils.
                      Addressing this challenge, the "Marginal Field Lab" offers a
                      novel research infrastructure dedicated to exploring plant
                      cultivation on such degraded substrates.The experimental
                      site, located on a former spoil heap of the Hambach open-pit
                      mine in central-west Germany, encompasses approx. 6
                      hectares. It is composed of a sandy, practically
                      nutrient-free substrate with high gravel content and minimal
                      water retention capacity—conditions that typify extreme
                      marginal soils. Here, a series of long-term field
                      experiments aim to (i) assess the scalability of laboratory
                      and greenhouse findings in real-world field conditions and
                      (ii) establish a functional research platform for diverse
                      biomass-related applications including food, feed, fuel, and
                      fiber production.A key research focus lies on evaluating
                      different fertilization strategies, such as subsurface
                      application of digestate, humic substances, algal biomass,
                      and mineral NPK fertilizers. These treatments are tested
                      across a range of promising biomass crops including the
                      perennials Miscanthus x giganteus, Sida hermaphrodita, and
                      Silphium perfoliatum; the biennial Melilotus officinalis;
                      and annuals such as Carthamus tinctorius. To assess nutrient
                      dynamics and soil development, leachate and soil sampling
                      are employed to monitor leaching risks and potential carbon
                      accumulation induced by the vegetation. Plant performance is
                      assessed manually and via multispectral imaging using drones
                      and airplane.The overarching objective is to determine the
                      agronomic viability of selected crops on marginal
                      landscapes. This contributes to erosion control, carbon
                      storage, and the provision of ecosystem services. Biomass
                      produced under these conditions is intended for use in
                      regional bio-based industries, including the paper, fiber,
                      oil, and chemical sectors—thus supporting structural
                      change in the Rhenish mining area.With this contribution to
                      EUBCE 2025, we aim to disseminate findings from the Marginal
                      Field Lab and foster dialogue around biomass production on
                      marginal lands, with the goal of sparking new collaborative
                      efforts in sustainable land use and bioeconomy research.},
      month         = {Jun},
      date          = {2025-06-09},
      organization  = {European Biomass Conference and
                       Exhibition, Valencia (Spain), 9 Jun
                       2025 - 12 Jun 2025},
      subtyp        = {After Call},
      cin          = {IBG-2},
      cid          = {I:(DE-Juel1)IBG-2-20101118},
      pnm          = {2172 - Utilization of renewable carbon and energy sources
                      and engineering of ecosystem functions (POF4-217)},
      pid          = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-2172},
      typ          = {PUB:(DE-HGF)24},
      doi          = {10.34734/FZJ-2025-02826},
      url          = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1043305},
}