@phdthesis{Adler2025, author = {Adler, Katharina}, title = {Avian diversity in vineyards - Circannual effects of landscape structure and management practices in viticultural regions}, volume = {2025}, edition = {1. Auflage}, publisher = {Hochschule Geisenheim}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hebis:2083-1167}, school = {Hochschule Geisenheim University}, pages = {1 -- 148}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Methods of intensive land use and structural impoverishment of landscapes have been shown to have a strong negative impact on biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Due to increasing population numbers and growing yield demands on less land, the sustainable management of utilised biotope types in agricultural landscapes has become a key topic of biodiversity research. More than any other bird species group, birds of the agricultural landscape have experienced massive population declines throughout Germany and Europe in recent years. The majority of research projects carried out in this area relate to annual crops. However, permanent crops, such as fruit plantation, vineyards and timber plantations, have received little attention in biodiversity research to date. Due to ongoing climate change, vineyards will also become increasingly important outside the Mediterranean region, replacing more and more semi-natural habitats. This makes it all the more important to understand how these cultures affect biodiversity and how this can be sustainably managed. Wine-growing areas offer potentially attractive living conditions for avifauna: The wooden structures of the vines, greening between the rows of vines and a mosaic with neighbouring unused structures can provide suitable habitat structures for different species. In many cases, however, viticulture is characterised by intensive management regimes with frequent disturbance events such as pesticide application, tillage or mowing of the species-poor green alleys and removal of marginal structures. Various studies show that these factors in crop monocultures have a major influence on bird diversity. The aim of this thesis was to analyse the influence of different landscape structures on the bird community in wine-growing areas and the influence of these bird communities on viticulture in terms of grape damage. The following studies were carried out for this purpose: -A literature study on the main influencing factors already identified in the scientific literature was compiled for both topics. -Two wine-growing regions in Germany (Rheingau and Rheinhessen) were analysed in a case study. Bird species were recorded throughout 2020 and 2021 and then analysed with data on the composition and structure of the landscape, which were collected by digitising orthophotos and verifying them on site. -In a further field study in Napa Valley (CA, USA), grape damage caused by birds in six vineyards was recorded and analysed with data from the landscape as well as vineyard management to determine which structures made grapes particularly enticing as food for birds.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Lamberty2025, author = {Lamberty, Anna}, title = {Development of a generic concept for cross chain temperature monitoring using IoT-based sensor technology to optimize the product quality of fresh plant-based produce}, volume = {2025}, edition = {1. Auflage}, publisher = {Hochschule Geisenheim}, address = {Geisenheim}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hebis:2083-1189}, school = {Hochschule Geisenheim University}, pages = {II -- 184}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The objective of this thesis was to develop a generic implementation concept for cross-chain IoT-based temperature monitoring in supply chains of fresh plant-based produce, including a cost-benefit-assessment. In the first step, a literature review was conducted to categorize fresh fruit and vegetables by their product-specific spoilage kinetics in relation to the main influential ambient parameters (temperature, relative humidity, ethylene, CO2, O2, vibration). In addition, the state-of-theart of relevant IoT technology was reviewed. This was followed by a systematic literature review and practical tests in four supply chains, focusing on data transmission reliability, temperature accuracy, location accuracy, battery life and sustainability, to identify technical, process-related and sustainability requirements for IoT-based temperature monitoring systems. Based on those results and a multi-dimensional field analysis including stakeholder interviews, a generic implementation concept was elaborated and validated in a real-world pilot study. Finally, the results of stakeholder interviews were used to create three application scenarios for IoT-based temperature monitoring. The costs and benefits of an IoT implementation were assessed for each scenario. The results highlight the complexity of fresh plant-based produce but also show the potential for optimizing product qualities by using IoT-based temperature monitoring, particularly for berries, leafy vegetables, climacteric fruit and chilling-sensitive products. While suitable IoT technology is available, the variety can make it challenging for supply chain actors to choose the right solution. Here, the identified technical, process-related and sustainability requirements can aid decision-making for potential users and provide development insights for IoT providers. However, needs for improvements of the tested IoT systems were found, particularly regarding data transmission reliability, temperature accuracy and sensor sustainability. The developed generic concept provides a blueprint for practical implementation in supply chains. The validation results confirm its operational feasibility. Further, it was found that IoT-based temperature monitoring can lead to monetary savings by reducing product losses, depending on the specific combination of IoT technology, product, packaging type, data use, and hardware reuse frequency. It must be highlighted that sustainable use of IoT devices enhances potential monetary benefits by avoiding subsequent sensor purchase costs.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Le2025, author = {Le, Ngoc Duc}, title = {Investigation of the potential allergenicity and coloration of peanut and hazelnut regarding different high-temperature processing methods}, volume = {2025}, edition = {1. Auflage}, publisher = {Hochschule Geisenheim}, address = {Geisenheim}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hebis:2083-1055}, school = {Hochschule Geisenheim University}, pages = {i -- 259}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Peanut and hazelnut are important sources of protein and are often processed using methods like roasting, baking, frying, and cooking. However, since both are major allergens, it is crucial to study how processing affects their potential to cause allergic reactions. This doctoral research is part of the ErdHase project, which aims to understand the impact of high-temperature processing on the biochemical and physical properties these nuts. The first goal of the study was to determine suitable parameters to define the processing degree of peanuts and hazelnuts, such as L* (lightness) and the browning index (BI). Their reference values, which depend on raw materials and market preferences, were derived based on commercial products and experimental roast models. The study employed various processing methods including drum roasting, infrared roasting, deep frying (for peanut), and fluid-bed roasting (for hazelnut). To study the effects of temperature and time on coloration and moisture, response surface methodology (RSM) was used. This approach was considered effective in reducing the number of experiments needed while maintaining reliable results. As temperature and time increased, the moisture content decreased, and the browning increased, which was consistent with prior research. Additionally, the study found that the ∆E2000 total color difference was more accurate than ∆E76 for assessing the total color difference between processed samples and commercial products. Combining all the collected data, it could be seen that for both Virginia and Runner peanuts and hazelnut, infrared roasting reduced the MC faster and drum roasting affected the color more drastically at the same temperature compared to other approaches. Deep frying of peanut and fluid bed roasting of hazelnut requires higher temperature profiles to achieve a comparable effect. The second part of the research focused on optimizing protein extraction from both raw and processed peanuts and hazelnuts. An extraction protocol using Tris-containing buffer with mild heating was developed and optimized using RSM, yielding good results with minimal denaturation of proteins. The study also showed the protein composition of processed peanuts and hazelnuts using SDS-PAGE and NativePAGE. Processing methods like roasting and frying reduced the protein yield, and allergen bands were detected, although patient-specific IgE binding varied. Further research involved the development of buckwheat-based foods (cream alternative and cookies) to test for the allergenicity in ELISA. Infrared and drum roasting was found to have the greatest impact on allergen recovery. Additionally, a food-grade protease was applied for improving allergen extraction. This enzyme significantly increased allergen recovery without affecting ELISA performance, offering a potential solution to the problem of low extractability of processed allergens. In summary, the presented doctoral thesis, on the one hand, provided additional investigations regarding different high-temperature processing methods on coloration and moisture content of peanut and hazelnut. It confirmed previous observation, defined a new approach of combining L* and BI to evaluate processed products. On the other hand, on the biochemical aspect of processed peanuts and hazelnuts, this work provided an optimized extraction protocol that potentially works for a wide spectrum of processed samples. In addition, incurred buckwheat-based products and enzyme-assisted extraction for ELISA showed promising results for future applications regarding their potential allergenicity.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Koerner2025, author = {K{\"o}rner, Tobias}, title = {Effects of Thermopriming on Resilience to Subsequent Stress Conditions in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)}, volume = {2025}, edition = {1. Auflage}, publisher = {Hochschule Geisenheim}, address = {Geisenheim}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hebis:2083-1027}, school = {Hochschule Geisenheim University}, pages = {2 -- 116}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Die zunehmende H{\"a}ufigkeit von Hitzewellen und anderen extremen Wetterereignissen bedroht die Ernten weltweit. Herk{\"o}mmliche Anbaumethoden sind nur begrenzt an diese klimatischen Ver{\"a}nderungen angepasst. Daher sind innovative Ans{\"a}tze gefragt, um die Stressresilienz unserer Nutzpflanzen nachhaltig zu erh{\"o}hen. Ein solcher Ansatz ist das Thermopriming, bei dem Pflanzen kontrolliertem Hitzestress ausgesetzt werden. Dieser f{\"u}hrt zur Anreicherung sch{\"u}tzender Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe und verbessert somit die Resilienz der Pflanzen gegen{\"u}ber zuk{\"u}nftigen Stressbedingungen. Diese Dissertation gibt Einblicke in optimierte Thermopriming-Bedingungen f{\"u}r Tomatenjungpflanzen und die langfristigen Auswirkungen von Thermopriming auf Pflanzenwachstum, -entwicklung und -ertrag und schließt damit eine L{\"u}cke in einem bisher wenig untersuchten Forschungsgebiet. Das erste Kapitel konzentriert sich auf die Optimierung des Thermopriming-Regimes, um die Stressresilienz bei Tomatenjungpflanzen zu erh{\"o}hen und gleichzeitig Wachstumshemmungen zu minimieren. Die Experimente zeigten, dass 90-min{\"u}tiges Thermopriming den besten Kompromiss zwischen der Erh{\"o}hung der Flavonolanreicherung in den Bl{\"a}ttern und der Verringerung von Wachstumsverlusten bietet. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Thermopriming eine praktikable Methode zur Integration in die gartenbauliche Pflanzenproduktion ist, um die langfristige Stressresilienz dieser Modellpflanze zu erh{\"o}hen und die negativen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels zu mildern. Das zweite Kapitel konzentriert sich darauf, wie Thermopriming die Stressresilienz von Tomatenpflanzen erh{\"o}ht und wie die Thermopriming-Behandlung mit anschließendem Salzstress interagiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten eine signifikante Anreicherung von sch{\"u}tzenden Phenolen und Flavonolen in den Bl{\"a}ttern von thermogeprimten Pflanzen, insbesondere als Reaktion auf den nachfolgenden Salzstress. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Thermopriming das Potenzial hat, die Produktivit{\"a}t und Qualit{\"a}t von Ernten unter Umweltstress zu sichern und somit von entscheidender Bedeutung f{\"u}r einen nachhaltigen Gartenbau werden kann. Das dritte Kapitel vergleicht die Wirksamkeit von Thermopriming zur Erh{\"o}hung der pflanzlichen Toleranz mit der des chemischen Elicitors Benzothiadiazol (BTH) bei anschließendem Salzstress. Die Studie zeigte, dass BTH zwar die Stresstoleranz bis zu einem gewissen Grad erh{\"o}hte, jedoch das Wachstum und die Fruchtentwicklung negativ beeinflusste. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass die Dauer der Erholungsphase und der Zeitpunkt des Folgestresses eine entscheidende Rolle f{\"u}r die Wirksamkeit und den Einsatz von Thermopriming spielen. Die Integration von Thermopriming in die Pflanzenproduktion steht im Einklang mit mehreren Nachhaltigkeitszielen der Vereinten Nationen, insbesondere mit Ziel 2 (Kein Hunger), das darauf abzielt, den Hunger zu beenden, die Ern{\"a}hrungssicherheit zu erreichen, die Ern{\"a}hrung zu verbessern und eine nachhaltige Landwirtschaft zu f{\"o}rdern. Es unterst{\"u}tzt auch Ziel 13 (Maßnahmen zum Klimaschutz), das dringende Maßnahmen zur Bek{\"a}mpfung des Klimawandels und seiner negativen Auswirkungen fordert. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus unterst{\"u}tzt Thermopriming die Ziele des European Green Deals, bis 2050 klimaneutral zu werden, die EU-Biodiversit{\"a}tsstrategie f{\"u}r 2030, indem es biodiversit{\"a}tsfreundliche Praktiken f{\"o}rdert, und die EU-Strategie „Vom Hof auf den Tisch", indem es Treibhausgasemissionen reduziert und die Nachhaltigkeit der Pflanzenproduktion und die Vitalit{\"a}t der {\"O}kosysteme f{\"o}rdert. Auf diese Weise kann ein gerechtes, gesundes und umweltfreundliches Lebensmittelsystem unterst{\"u}tzt werden. Zudem kann Thermopriming durch die Verringerung der Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von Pflanzenschutzmitteln und die F{\"o}rderung des {\"o}kologischen Landbaus die negativen Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt und den {\"o}kologischen Fußabdruck verringern. Thermopriming ist eine vielversprechende Strategie, um die Resilienz von Pflanzen gegen{\"u}ber dem Klimawandel zu erh{\"o}hen. Daher sollte die Integration von Thermopriming in die Pflanzenproduktion von politischen Entscheidungstr{\"a}gern und Praktikern in Betracht gezogen werden, um eine nachhaltige Landwirtschaft zu unterst{\"u}tzen, die Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln zu reduzieren und die Ernteertr{\"a}ge und -qualit{\"a}t unter verschiedenen (extremen) Umweltbedingungen zu verbessern.}, language = {en} }