The Biosystems Engineering in Horticulture and Agriculture subject area is dedicated to advancing sustainable and competitive agricultural and horticultural production, through research, innovation, education, and collaboration.
The scope of the subject is on technical aspects of how plants, animals, the environment, and humans interact within outdoor and indoor production systems, particularly in the face of climate change and environmental pressures.
Our research spans a broad spectrum of technology applications, aiming to improve both the sustainability and efficiency of food, feed and other biomass production. We work on optimizing cropping systems and agricultural machinery systems, enhancing the energy performance of agricultural buildings, and assessing renewable building materials. A major focus lies in using agricultural and horticultural crop residues as a key resource for the emerging bioeconomy. We're also tackling challenges such as reducing emissions from livestock housing, improving nutrient recycling from residual streams, finding sustainable alternatives to peat as a growing medium and minimizing GHG via introduction cover crops in agricultural and horticultural crop rotations.
Underlying these efforts is a commitment to key sustainability principles. We promote circular use of plant nutrients, carbon, and water, and strive to reduce emissions by utilizing renewable materials and refining operational practices. Our research supports the development of resilient systems through smart crop rotations that integrate food and non-food production.
To guide improvements across entire production systems, we apply systems analysis methods such as energy balances, life cycle assessments, soil organic carbon modelling, systems dynamics, and nutrient and techno-economic assessments. We also use GIS-based data tools to assess and optimize production on a spatial scale.
Digital technologies play a growing role in our work. By integrating sensors, cameras, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics, we are developing smarter, more responsive agricultural and horticultural systems. Infrastructure development is another important area of our expertise, covering stables, storage facilities, greenhouses, and other buildings essential to food and biomass production and storage.
Our current research topics reflect emerging needs and opportunities in the sector. We are developing systems for producing low indirect land use change (ILUC) biomass, exploring agrivoltaic integration in farming landscapes, and examining urban horticulture innovations like rooftop greenhouses. Additionally, we are advancing the concept of plant protein biorefineries, particularly in combination with biogas production, to maximize resource efficiency and plant nutrient recycling.
Through this multifaceted approach, Biosystems Engineering in Horticulture and Agriculture contributes to a climate-smart, resource-efficient, and circular bioeconomy that supports sustainable food, feed and biomass production now and into the future.