Versuchsfläche "Agrosilvopastorales System"

Implementation of a complex, multifunctional and successional agroforestry system on a 26-hectare arable plot in eastern Brandenburg. The aim of the project is to develop a silvoagropastoral system that integrates tree strips, arable farming and suckler cow husbandry within a single area, in order to test the challenges and synergies involved in combining these farming activities. Findings from this scheme are intended to provide practical approaches for scaling up multifunctional land-use models, thereby contributing to climate adaptation, enhanced ecosystem services and sustainable value creation in agriculture.

The site focuses on three functionally distinct types of tree rows:

· chestnut rows for nut production and moderate shading of the area

· deciduous forage hedges for weather protection and grazing by cattle

· standard fruit tree rows for the production of commercial fruit

To gain practical insights into the establishment, maintenance and performance of diversified production systems, various designs for standard fruit tree rows were established: ranging from rows containing only fruit trees (“scattered orchards”) to syntropic row designs, featuring a variety of woody and herbaceous plants.

For a potentially scalable system of tree and shrub strips, the mechanised direct sowing of hedges was implemented using a specially developed “agroforestry drill”. Another experimental method is the sowing of tree and shrub crops: chestnut trees were sown and planted for comparison, and wild pear trees were sown as rootstocks, which are to be grafted for extensive fruit growing in the field.

Due to the diversity and complexity described, the established agroforestry system is primarily regarded as a practical research project rather than a directly transferable production system.