< Back

Syntropische Versuchsfläche "Keyline"

Lat: 14.259495, Lng: 52.379236
Gut & Bösel
Schlossstraße 32 32, 15518 Briesen, Brandenburg

On a plot of land with unfavourable geometry and soil conditions for arable farming, a diverse agroforestry system based on syntropic principles was designed and established in 2021. It consists of 30 individual rows spaced 6 metres apart, with the row orientation following the slope of the land. Three types of rows, focusing on apple, pear and plum/peach, were established; in addition, various berry bushes, as well as pioneer woody plants and herbaceous plants, were sown and planted.

Prior to the establishment of the system, a clover-grass mixture was sown, with the original plan being to integrate mobile chicken coops. This has not yet been implemented; instead, the vegetation is being used as mulch for the rows of trees.

The aim of the site is to research syntropic principles at our dry location with poor soils. The aim is to determine to what extent standard-tree fruit cultivation can function without irrigation in such an agroforestry system.

Agroforestry system type:

Other (incl. kitchen gardens/ community food forests)

Size of agroforestry system area(s) (in ha):

2.65

Percentage of area under trees/shrubs (in %):

10

Establishment (date):

Oct 31, 2021

Site specifics:

  • drought / low water holding capacity
  • low soil fertility
  • landscape with few structures / landscaope elements

Farming sectors:

  • Fruit growing

Tree species:

  • Apple (Malus domestica)
  • Pear (Pyrus communis)
  • Plum (Prunus domestica)
  • Peach (Prunus persica)
  • Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
  • Black Mulberry (Morus nigra)
  • Black Poplar x Maximowicz's Poplar (Populus nigra x populus maximowiczii)
  • Basket Willow (Salix viminalis)
  • Grey Alder (Alnus incana)
  • Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
  • Cherry / Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

(Intended) use of trees:

  • food production (e.g. production fruit/nut)
  • environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)

Shrub species:

  • Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
  • Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
  • Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
  • Jostaberry (Ribes × nidigrolaria)
  • Currants (red/ white/ black) (Ribes spp.)
  • Kamtschatica edible Honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis kamtschatica)
  • Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)
  • Snowy Mespilus (Amelanchier ovalis)
  • Goat Willow / Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)
  • Pea Shrub (Siberian Pea Tree) (Caragana arborescens)
  • Mahonia (Mahonia)

(Intended) use of the shrubs:

  • food production (e.g. production fruit / nut)
  • environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)

Main crop types in the agroforestry system:

  • field grass

Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:

  • establish ecological balance
  • Erosion protection