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Dissertation
Potentials and limits of sustainability communication - The cases of climate-friendly food and farmed fish
(2018-02-15)
The present thesis focuses on the potentials and limits of sustainability communication via media, labels and claims to foster the consumption of climate-friendly food and sustainably farmed fish. A mixed methods approach combining an online survey containing choice experiments with qualitative face-to-face interviews was applied to explore consumers’ perceptions of climate-friendly food as well as the limits and merits of a carbon footprint label for fostering climate-friendly consumption. The qualitative approach ...
Dissertation
Heat stress response for physiological traits in dairy and dual purpose cattle populations on phenotypic and genetic scales
(2016-02-23)
The main objective of this thesis was to determine the potential impact of heat stress (HS) on physiological traits of lactating cows and semen quality of bulls kept in a temperate climate. The thesis is comprised of three studies. An innovative statistical modeling aspect common to all three studies was the application of random regression methodology (RRM) to study the phenotypic and genetic trajectory of traits in dependency of a continuous temperature humidity index (THI).
In the first study, semen quality and ...
Dissertation
Herd management and livestock productivity in the Altai region of Western Mongolia
(2016-08-17)
This thesis analyses the influence of qualitative and quantitative herbage production on seasonal rangelands, and of herd and pasture use strategies on feed intake, body mass development and reproductive performance of sheep and goats in the Altai mountain region of Bulgan county (soum) in Khovd province (aimag). This westernmost county of Mongolia is characterized by a very poor road network and thus very difficult access to regional and national markets. The thesis explores in this localized context the current ...
Dissertation
Effects of mild water restriction on digestion and nitrogen metabolism in a desert adapted goat breed
(2017-04-26)
Water is the main challenge facing animal husbandry in arid and semi-arid regions of the globe. These areas are characterized by a long dry season lasting between 6 and 8 months. At certain times during the long dry period, water can be so scarce that animals may face severe water shortages. Many studies have been conducted to highlight how ruminants cope during these times of severe water deprivation. Yet, livestock are much more often exposed to mild water shortages for several months in a year. Only a few studies ...
Dissertation
Diversity, local uses and availability of medicinal plants and wild yams in the Mahafaly region of south-western Madagascar
(2015-08-31)
Short summary:
This study was undertaken to assess the diversity of plant resources utilized by the local population in south-western Madagascar, the social, ecological and biophysical conditions that drive their uses and availability, and possible alternative strategies for their sustainable use in the region. The study region, ‘Mahafaly region’, located in south-western Madagascar, is one of the country’s most economically, educationally and climatically disadvantaged regions. With an arid steppe climate, the ...
Dissertation
Microbial response to restoration of tantalite mine soils in western Rwanda
(2016-05-04)
Artisanal columbite-tantalite (coltan) mining has had negative effects on the rural economy in the great Lakes region of Africa through labor deficits, degradation and loss of farmland, food insecurity, high cost of living, and reduced traditional export crop production alongside secondary impacts that remotely affect the quality of air, water, soil, plants, animals, and human wellbeing. The situation is multifaceted and calls for a holistic approach for short and long-term mitigation of such negative effects. This ...
Dissertation
Effects of transformation processes in 'jubraka' agroforestry systems of the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, on nutrient fluxes
(2014-03-19)
Intensification processes in homegardens of the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, raise concerns about strongly positive carbon (C) and nutrient balances which are expected to lead to substantial element losses from these agroecosystems, in particular via soil gaseous emissions. Therefore, this thesis aimed at the quantification of C, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) input and output fluxes with a special focus on soil gaseous losses, and the calculation of respective element balances. A further focus in this ...
Dissertation
Einfluss der Flächenwahl, Anbaudichte und Landschaftsstruktur auf den Befallsstatus und die Ausbreitung der Möhrenfliege Psila rosae F. (Diptera: Psilidae) im ökologischen Möhrenanbau
(2012-07-23)
Durch die vermehrte Nachfrage von Biomöhren im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel ist die Anbaufläche ökologisch erzeugter Möhren in den letzten zehn Jahren deutlich angestiegen. Der Anbau konzentriert sich auf bestimmte Regionen und erfolgte damit zunehmend auf großen Schlägen in enger räumlicher und zeitlicher Abfolge. Mit der steigenden Wirtspflanzenpräsenz steigt auch der Befallsdruck durch die Möhrenfliege. Während der Schädling im konventionellen Anbau mit Insektiziden kontrolliert wird, stehen dem Ökologischen Landbau ...
Dissertation
Conservation agriculture in organic farming: Impacts on weeds and plant-parasitic nematodes during the transition
(2017-10-12)
Der Bodenschutz ist eine der wichtigsten Anforderungen an die Landwirtschaft im 21. Jahrhundert. Daher sind nicht-wendende Bodenbearbeitungssysteme, basierend auf dem Anbau von Untersaaten und Zwischenfrüchten, verstärkt in den Fokus der europäischen Agrarwirtschaft geraten. Allerdings können diese neuartigen Systeme das Spektrum und die Abundanz gewisser Krankheiten, Schädlinge und Unkräuter grundlegend verändern. Ein Beispiel ist die Zunahme von Unkräutern und ihren Samenbanken während der Übergangsphase von ...
Dissertation
Development and Integration of Biocontrol Products in Branched Broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) management in Tomato
(2012-10-19)
Parasitic weeds of the genera Striga, Orobanche, and Phelipanche pose a severe problem for agriculture because they are difficult to control and are highly destructive to several crops. The present work was carried out during the period October, 2009 to February, 2012 to evaluate the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to suppress P. ramosa on tomatoes and to investigate the effects of air-dried powder and aqueous extracts from Euphorbia hirta on germination and haustorium initiation in Phelipanche ramosa. ...