The long-term conceptual development of the research organization (DKRVO)

The long-term conceptual development of the research organization (DKRVO)

The long-term conceptual development of the research organization (DKRVO) for the years 2023-2027 is divided into three research plans and these plans are further divided into individual activities. A total of 16 activities are addressed within the plan.

Research plan I deals with the issue of agricultural biodiversity in connection with environmental care. Through individual activities, the effort is to expand the portfolio of crops from the Fabaceae family in agricultural production, create species-rich regional mixtures for disturbed ecosystems, and research and support for pollinators native to our territory are underway. Monitoring of permanent and temporary agricultural wetlands is underway, including analyses of the soil seed bank, which can be used as a reservoir of genetic resources. In connection with environmental protection, alternative sources of fertilizers are investigated in this VZ, such as biological production of nitrogen, prevention of its losses in the soil, the possibility of using composts and digestates in agricultural production and the impact on the soil environment. The subject of further research is soil erosion protection on sloping land when growing wide-row crops using mixtures of catch crops and the simultaneous evaluation of physical and chemical properties of soils.

Research plan II deals with the development of new and innovations in existing agricultural technologies with the aim of sustainable, safe and high-quality crop production. It involves studying the interaction of corn and beans for feed use and for use in biogas stations. Other activities are dedicated to perennial crops, such as the creation of a technology for growing new varieties of musk mallow for seed and, together with eastern hawkweed, inclusion in meadow and pasture stands. This plan also fulfills breeding ambitions with the aim of a higher level of nitrogen fixation, higher yields, and higher resistance to stress caused by biotic and abiotic factors in meadow clover, alfalfa and soybean.

Research plan III deals with integrated plant protection with a focus on forage crops. The focus is on insect pests in alfalfa and their decreasing sensitivity to insecticides. In the field of weed control innovations, experiments were conducted to find new suitable herbicides for the treatment of common flax, common chickweed, common mallow and common mallow. The focus is also on new options for seed protection, or rather on physical seed treatment with laser for sunflower, poppy, barley, soybean and corn.