Geisenheim Research Institute
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Research institute for horticulture and viticulture |
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| State level | State of Hesse |
| legal form | Non-university research institution |
| founding | 1872 |
| resolution | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Geisenheim / Rheingau |
The research institute for horticulture and viticulture in Geisenheim / Rheingau was founded in 1872 by Freiherr Heinrich Eduard von Lade as the Royal Institute for Fruit Growing and Viticulture in Geisenheim . Tasks of the Research Institute research were at first - especially in the fields of viticulture and pomology ( Greek : Teaching of fruit growing) - and the organization of studies in horticulture and viticulture in Geisenheim. In 1972 research and training were institutionally separated. The research institute continued to carry out research in the areas of horticulture, viticulture and beverage technology, while the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences maintained the Geisenheim department with its ten courses and departments in close cooperation with the research institute.
In addition to the acquisition of third-party funds, the Geisenheim research institute was financed until 2011 by the states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate , which regulated the operation and financing of the research institute in a state contract concluded in 1987. After the state treaty was terminated by Rhineland-Palatinate in June 2010, the state of Hesse took over sole financing from 2011. On January 1, 2013, the Geisenheim research institute was merged with the Geisenheim department of the RheinMain University and the Geisenheim University was founded .
historical overview
In 1872, thanks to the efforts of Eduard von Lades, the Royal Prussian Institute for Fruit and Wine Growing was founded by decree. Eduard von Lade was born in Geisenheim in 1817 as the son of a wealthy wine merchant. With export, banking and arms deals at home and abroad, he acquired a considerable fortune and was able to retire in Geisenheim in 1861 at the age of 44. He had the Monrepos, a luxurious country estate in the classicist style with extensive parks, built near the banks of the Rhine. From then on he devoted himself to his private interests, the most important of which were fruit growing and the breeding of new types of fruit.
He is said to have sent the Prussian King Wilhelm I and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck several boxes with selected apples and pears, including a request to be allowed to found a "pomological college" in the Geisenheim region that is preferred for fruit growing. After a few years he was successful with it in 1872. In the immediate vicinity of the Monrepos, land was acquired and buildings were built, partly with money from the reparations payments from the Franco-German War of 1870/71.
Heinrich Siesmayer created the park . Rudolf Goethe had been the director since 1879 . Geisenheim quickly developed into a center for applied research in viticulture , fruit growing and gardening . The botanist, biologist, phytopathologist, breeder and lecturer Hermann Müller was the first director of the plant physiology research station in Geisenheim. Here, at the end of the 19th century, he also bred the new Müller-Thurgau grape variety (now sometimes called Rivaner ), but not, as is often misread, as a cross between Riesling and Silvaner. After a few years, teaching and study operations began and as early as 1894 the Association of Former Geisenheimers , one of the oldest alumni associations in Germany , was founded in Geisenheim .
The two world wars had different effects on the research and teaching operations of the research institute. After the First World War, it was still possible to get back to work relatively quickly on the undamaged premises of the pre-war years, but the Second World War marked a clear turning point in the activities of the research institute. As early as 1941, teaching and most of the research operations were discontinued. In bomb attacks, employees of the research institute were killed and some buildings and test areas were severely damaged.
After the war, work was resumed, now as an authority of the newly founded state of Hesse. In the 1950s to 1970s, Geisenheim was again one of the most important research and training centers for horticulture in Germany. The study of viticulture in Geisenheim was also unique in Germany - to this day, viticulture ( oenology and cellar management) can only be studied in Geisenheim at the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences.
Another important turning point was the separation of research and teaching. In 1971 the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences was founded and the research institute transferred the courses in horticulture, viticulture and land care to the newly founded University of Applied Sciences with its "green" study location in Geisenheim. Since then, the Geisenheim Research Institute has only performed research tasks, but some of its scientists are still active as lecturers at the university of applied sciences.
In 1997 the Geisenheim research institute celebrated its 125th anniversary. Since the end of the 1980s the buildings (greenhouses, laboratory buildings, lecture halls) have been modernized or completely rebuilt; a process that will only be completed in the next few years.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the rigid organizational structures of the Geisenheim Research Institute, which is a research institution directly subordinate to the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art, were slowly dissolved. In the meantime, interdisciplinary cooperation is being carried out at five institutes with a total of 13 specialist areas in scientific projects , for example on topics of green biotechnology (hypersensitivity questions, resistance breeding), viticulture questions, future-oriented technologies and questions of internal quality and valuable ingredients in wine and fruit , Vegetable and ornamental plant cultivation .
On January 1, 2013, the Geisenheim Research Institute was merged with the Geisenheim Department of the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and has since formed the new Geisenheim University . The Geisenheim University is the 13th university in Hesse and the first university of the "new type" in Germany, as demanded by the Science Council in a basic paper from 2010. For the first time since 1972, teaching and research in Geisenheim are combined in one institution.
Administrative structure
The research institute was a research facility directly subordinate to the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art. It is led by a director, who in turn was assisted in his work by a board of directors. An administrative board supports the director in communicating with the relevant ministries and services. A board of trustees advised the research institute on basic issues such as the budget or the research program. Since 2007 there has also been a scientific advisory board. Due to the termination of the State Treaty by Rhineland-Palatinate in mid-2010, there were changes in the legal form and the administrative structure of the research institute from 2011 onwards.
Director and Board of Directors
As of April 1, 2009, the director of the research institute was Hans Reiner Schultz . He is the successor to Klaus Schaller , who has headed the research institute since 1988. The directorate assisting the director consists of the heads of the five institutes (viticulture and grapevine breeding, oenology and beverage research, horticulture and landscaping, biology and business administration and technology). The board of directors also includes a representative of the scientific staff and - in an advisory capacity - the respective president of the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and the administrative director of the research institute.
The Board of Directors deals with issues such as personnel, investment and budget issues as well as the coordination of research projects and development.
Board of Directors
The administrative board advised the respective Hessian Minister for Science and Art on all fundamental matters of the research institute. This is also where important decisions are made for the research institute, such as the approval of draft budget estimates and the research institute's investment and research programs.
It consisted of the Hessian Minister for Science and Art as Chairman and the Agriculture Minister as Deputy. It also includes the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister for Viticulture and the Federal Minister for Agriculture (or the deputy).
The administrative board consisted of a maximum of three external scientists in an advisory capacity, proposed by the German Research Foundation and - after hearing the directorate - appointed by the administrative board. The director of the research institute also has an advisory role.
Board of Trustees
The task of the board of trustees of the research institute was to initiate and promote the development and future expansion of the research institute. To this end, the Board of Trustees can make recommendations and act in an advisory capacity, especially in the areas of budget, investment programs, research programs, and the statutes of the research institute.
The board of trustees consisted of representatives from:
- responsible state (Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate) and federal ministries,
- responsible committees at state and local level,
- Professional associations for horticulture and landscape architecture,
- Professional associations for viticulture and beverage technology,
- Universities of Mainz and Giessen as well as the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences,
- Society for the Promotion of the Geisenheim Research Station (GFFG),
- Association of Former Geisenheimers - Geisenheim Alumni Association e. V.
- as well as the chairman of the staff council of the research institute and the director of the research institute
together. The Board of Trustees can designate specialist committees for targeted work.
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board was founded in 2007. It consisted of eight internationally renowned scientists and experts in viticulture and horticulture, who come from Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. A representative of the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art is also on the committee.
The main task of the Scientific Advisory Board was to advise the research institute on all research issues. The committee checks current research programs for their content and generally the feasibility of research projects. The advisory board works closely with the administrative board of the Geisenheim research institute.
Research institutions
In addition to the administrative part, the research institute consists of 5 institutes with a total of 13 specialist areas, which are dedicated to various areas of research in horticulture and viticulture:
Institute for Viticulture and Vine Breeding
- Specialized in grapevine breeding and grafting
- Viticulture specialization
- Department of cellar management
Institute for Oenology and Beverage Research
- Department of wine analysis and beverage research
- Microbiology and Biochemistry Department
Institute of Horticulture
- Field of vegetable growing
- Field of fruit growing
- Ornamental plant cultivation specialty
- Institute for Biology
- Department of Botany
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Phytomedicine department
- Institute for Business Administration and Technology
- Specialized in business administration and market research
- Technical field
Current research projects
The research can be divided into three overarching subject areas, each with more closely defined projects:
- Internal quality and market of selected viticultural and horticultural products
- Future-oriented technologies
- Environmental stress and sustainable crop production
Each subject area also had its own research projects, usually lasting several years. Some of these are also worked on in an interdisciplinary manner with other specialist areas and external partners (detailed descriptions of research priorities and projects can be found on the research institute's homepage under the respective specialist area):
The viticulture department worked on a large number of current projects. One of the research projects in cooperation with German, Hungarian and Greek partners deals with the complex of environmental stress in grapevines and grapes . Stressful situations such as lack of water, increasing UV-B radiation or ozone pollution close to the ground suggest lasting effects on the formation of ingredients and the development of aromas in the grapes. Environmental parameters are documented using the latest ecophysiological measurement technology and the effects on photosynthesis , transpiration and the formation of valuable ingredients are examined. Further research areas are the clarification of complex questions about the formation of ingredients in the grape or the creation of models for yield formation in viticulture. Applied research in viticulture deals with questions of the practice-oriented further development of environmentally-oriented cultivation systems in viticulture ("ecological viticulture") as well as the technological and ecological increase in efficiency in steep-slope viticulture .
The field of grapevine breeding and refinement was dedicated to the more classic research areas of crossbreeding and clone selection, as well as questions about the location adjustment of rootstocks in Germany. In the latter research project, more than 50 test facilities are operated in the German wine-growing regions where, in addition to German rootstock varieties, foreign documents are also used and compared with these. In the biotechnological research area, the department uses RAPD- PCR to refine methods for differentiating between grape varieties (“ genetic fingerprint ”). Research in the field of "somatic embryogenesis" serves to separate chimeras and develop new clones from old grape varieties.
The cellar management department worked together with the viticulture department, with which it is also spatially connected. Research topics include, for example, the optimization of oenological processes to increase wine quality, such as the influence of must pre-clarification on wine quality or the change in the primary aromatic substances during grape ripening, grape processing and wine storage. Another major area of research is red wine making. The cellar management department also played a leading role in research into alternative wine bottle closures such as plastic, screw or glass closures. The "Geisenheim seal of approval" as a seal of quality for cork trading companies is the result of years of research and international acceptance of the work in the field.
The Department of Wine Analysis and Beverage Research devoted its research activities to both viticulture and beverage technology and has a modern research facility with the beverage technology center. Here, too, as in other specialist areas, interdisciplinary work was carried out on the subject of valuable ingredients and secondary plant substances (often also referred to as bioactive substances). An example of this is the color stability of red apple juice as an innovative product. Another topic are beverage defects in wines and juices such as the so-called wine diseases or cloudiness and cloud deposits in fruit juices .
In the microbiology and biochemistry department , research on and with yeasts has traditionally been carried out since the department was founded in 1894 as the "Geisenheimer Reinhefestation" . Other research focuses include, for example, studies of factors influencing fermentation as well as quality- promoting and quality-reducing factors and substances or the study of stress reactions of microorganisms (stress response), the development of aromas by controlling the microflora and the causes and prevention of cork tones. An S1 laboratory is available to the department for part of its research in the genetic engineering field. The department also plays a leading role for the research institute in a current interdisciplinary EU project for the production of organically produced wines . The primary aim here is to check the feasibility of the research results obtained or to be achieved in everyday winemaking practice in this area of cultivation.
At the Horticultural Institute, the vegetable growing department worked on two major research complexes : asparagus and water . When growing asparagus, research is carried out on issues relating to the dynamics of the nutrient and water balance, the causes of reduced yields and the causes of external and internal quality defects. The results of all sub-areas of asparagus research flow into a modeling of asparagus growth. In the water research complex, the main topics were water balance, irrigation control and the targeted use of water as a resource. Research areas were water requirements and the effects on plant quality in the greenhouse and in the field. The effects of different irrigation levels on yield, quality and valuable ingredients or the interactions between water balance and quality are examined.
The field of fruit growing traditionally dealt with the further development of stone fruit through conventional combination breeding. In addition to the breeding of new varieties yield is now also the research work in the Scharkaresistenzzüchtung in Prunus domestica -Varietäten and fire blight resistance breeding at Kernobstvarietäten and documents in the foreground. The conventional breeding methods are now supported by methods of molecular genetics . As part of a research project, research is being carried out into identifying the gene or the gene complex for columnar growth (extreme columnar growth) in apple varieties. Commercially used apple varieties from the CATS Group serve as the basis. As part of the main topic “Inner Quality”, secondary plant substances in stone fruit and blackcurrants are researched in cooperation with other specialist areas . The second research topic, "Environmental stress and sustainable plant production", includes research on water and nitrogen management in red currants (influence on vegetative growth, yield and quality of the fruits as well as premature aging) and the influence of radiation and temperature on the vitality of black currants. The department carries out further research work in the federal performance tests "Scab-resistant apple varieties", "New pear rootstock" and the EU research project COST 836: "Euroberry Research: From Genomics to Sustainable Production, Quality and Health".
On three research areas, the work of the department focused ornamental plants: In the interior quality of ornamental plants , it is all about the development of durability predictions for cut flowers by stress tests and measurements of parameters of the water and carbohydrate household's such as the water stress tolerance of different roses - genotypes . The quantification of shelf life-relevant production factors such as genotype, stand length, climatic conditions as well as nutrition and post-harvest treatment are also examined. In the “Urban Plant Culture ” research area, the oxygen supply in the root area of different greening systems (soil substrate, seramis, expanded clay ) is examined. Another topic of this research focus is the replacement of peat with raw materials from the recycling sector (chipboard, sawdust) or with renewable raw materials (oil flax, hemp ). The third focus is the transplanting behavior of ornamental trees and the influences of cultural measures from the areas of irrigation, fertilization and harvesting on them.
The Institute for Biology at the Geisenheim Research Station worked on an interdisciplinary basis . The botany department deals with studies of phylloxera resistance , the cellular mechanisms and the molecular biology of hypersensitivity reactions in this area. The research goal is the development of transformation systems for breeding resistant varieties. Further research areas are the analysis of components of the cell-specific regeneration and transformation competence of in vitro cultivated plant tissue or the molecular biological analysis for the typing of varieties and clones in the context of the breeding of horticultural crops and grapevines. An S1 laboratory and greenhouse area are also available for work in the molecular biological field. With the help of flow cytometry , the degree of ploidy and cell cycle analyzes for the characterization of conventional and in vitro breeding material are carried out in the plant area . Scientists in the field are involved in several EU research projects (some of them leading), for example in the COST 843 project: "Quality Enhancement of Plant Production Through Tissue Culture".
The soil science and plant nutrition department mainly worked in the field of viticulture. Here, for example, research is being carried out into determining the influence of the water and nitrogen supply and viticultural measures on the aroma formation of the vines. In the field of horticulture, research has been ongoing in the area of AZERCA ( azaleas , eric trees and camellias ) for almost 50 years . However, this research focus has been reduced significantly in recent years in favor of other research projects.
The research areas in the field of phytomedicine are diverse . In general, horticultural and viticultural research projects work on the following topics: Optimization of the rhizo and phyllosphere microflora, development of environmentally friendly plant protection measures , prognosis of disease and pest incidence and risk minimization in closed irrigation systems.
In the field of business administration and market research , too, the research topics extend to both horticulture and viticulture. Research topics here are, for example, studies of consumer behavior, market development and market structures, company and success analyzes or the analysis of marketing instruments in the respective industries.
Research in the field of technology was handled in the same way. Research topics were, for example, the procedural developments for plant irrigation and fertilization under glass or the improvement of the management of steep vineyards.
Teaching and studying in Geisenheim
Teaching at the research institute (1872–1971)
Teaching was already regulated in the founding statute of the research institute. In the founding year of 1872, six students, the so-called "Eleven", were welcomed. A “higher course” with four to six semesters for high school and junior high school students as well as a “practical course” over two semesters for students of practical gardening was offered. Short courses for interns were also offered right from the start, i.e. advanced training courses for those in the profession such as teachers, tree attendants and others.
The curriculum of the “higher course” was very extensive. As a basis, it comprised the mathematical and natural science subjects, plus major subjects such as general plant cultivation, fruit cultivation, fruit forcing, viticulture, vine cultivation, knowledge of grapes, vegetable cultivation, landscape gardening or plan drawing. Horticultural bookkeeping, beekeeping and silk making are named as minor subjects.
The facilities built and used for research purposes were of course also used for teaching. Among other things, tree and vine nurseries, mother gardens, vineyards, an orchard, the form school, greenhouses as well as a library and equipment and model collection were available here. A few years later there were u. a. a plant physiological research institute (working place of Müller-Thurgau, a student of Julius Sachs ), an oenochemical laboratory, a meteorological research station of the 2nd order, a fruit processing station and a wine greenhouse.
In the last decades of the 19th century, the research institute had an average of 50 listeners, 20 of them in senior two-year teaching. Up until the First World War, the teaching operations were restructured and expanded several times. In 1912 the following courses were offered: viticulture, fruit growing, fruit and horticulture and garden art. At that time the number of “Eleven” was already 90 students. As early as 1894, the "Association of Alumni Geisenheimers" (VEG) was founded, making it one of the oldest alumni associations in Germany. The first specialist congresses were held by VEG at the beginning of the 20th century. The Geisenheim Alumni Association - Geisenheim Alumni Association currently has more than 2,000 members worldwide and has been closely involved in the research and teaching history of Geisenheim since it was founded.
During the First World War, teaching came to a standstill and was resumed in 1919 with 14 students . In the course of further restructuring, in 1920 the “Eleven” became “Listeners” with the qualification “State-certified technician”. On the 50th anniversary of the research institute in 1922, it was possible to look back on an orderly teaching operation and look back on a total of 2,765 listeners (students) and 10,625 "course participants" from practice (participants in the two-year practical courses).
Further developments of the teaching company in Geisenheim showed the adaptability but also the needs from the gardening and viticulture practice. A second state technical examination led graduates of the higher Geisenheim training company to the title of "State-certified garden, fruit or viticulture inspector". A fifth semester introduced in the 1920s ensured the qualification and training of specialist teachers in gardening, fruit growing and viticulture.
In the time of National Socialism , research in Geisenheim was given far more weight than teaching. The research institute Geisenheim should also make its (research) contribution to the self-sufficient food supply of the Reich. In 1934 the research institute was renamed "Trial and Research Institute", and various courses were discontinued or expired. There were also efforts by the then head of the research institute, Carl Friedrich Rudloff (1899–1962), to permanently separate research and teaching and to outsource teaching in Geisenheim. However, this was decidedly rejected by alumni. From 1943 it was finally clear that the "Higher Horticultural School" in Geisenheim should continue to exist.
In mid-1941, however, teaching in Geisenheim came to a standstill due to the war. From the Second World War, the research institute went into the post-war period with not inconsiderable damage. Employees of the research institute were also killed. Vegetables to feed the population had to be grown on the trial areas during the war. In 1946 the research institute came to the state of Hesse. Teaching was slowly resumed: on April 1, 1946, 80 students began their studies. Fields of study were: viticulture and cellar management, fruit and vegetable growing, ornamental plant growing and vegetable growing as well as garden design . The number of listeners rose rapidly again in the post-war period, and from 1951 to 1957 even entrance exams were carried out for listeners. From 1946 to 1961, 858 graduates left the research institute, of which 28% belonged to the field of viticulture, 23% to the field of fruit and vegetable growing, 20% to the field of ornamental plant cultivation and vegetable growing and 29% to the field of garden design. In 1960 the six-semester course was introduced in Geisenheim, so Geisenheim became an engineering school. As a result, technician training was abolished after 90 years. In 1968 a new specialty was introduced in Geisenheim, the "beverage technology".
After a long discussion in advance, the foundation of the technical colleges was prepared at the end of the 1960s, which enabled the engineering schools to be transferred to the higher education sector. The Geisenheim engineering school was to join the newly established Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences; the establishment of two departments, viticulture and beverage technology as well as horticulture and land maintenance, were planned. On August 1, 1971, the re-establishment was finally completed and teaching in Geisenheim was transferred to the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences.
Studies at the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences - Geisenheim study location (from 1971)
In 1970 the engineering school in Geisenheim already had 430 students and was a renowned place of study for the professional fields of gardening, viticulture and garden architecture nationwide. With the passing of the University of Applied Sciences Act on July 9, 1970 and its entry into force on August 1, 1971, the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences was founded. The Geisenheim engineering school was merged into the newly founded departments of horticulture and land maintenance as well as viticulture and beverage technology at the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences. In the two departments, the courses of study in horticulture, viticulture, land care and beverage technology were offered, the newly awarded degree was graduate engineer (FH).
With the establishment of the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences, Geisenheim was institutionally separated after almost 100 years of research and teaching. However, both institutions worked closely together from the start. In addition to pure university professors, scientists from the research institute were also integrated into teaching. To this day, 50% of the leading scientists in the subject areas are professors at the technical college with corresponding teaching duties in their respective subject areas. The other scientists at the research institute are also more or less involved in teaching.
Over the next few decades, the number of students in Geisenheim increased continuously. The study and examination regulations have been adapted several times to current requirements. Big changes did not follow until the end of the 20th century when, beginning with the Bologna Declaration in 1999, thought was also given in Geisenheim about the introduction of the consecutive bachelor and master courses . From 2003, the first diploma courses were converted into bachelor courses and, based on this, the first master courses were accredited. With the last conversion of the diploma course in viticulture and beverage technology to a bachelor’s course, the conversion process was completed in the winter semester 2007/2008. In 2009 this new course structure was also taken into account by name and the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences was renamed the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences.
The independent Geisenheim University has existed since January 1, 2013 .
The Geisenheim department (from 2005)
Since March 2005 the two departments of viticulture and beverage technology as well as horticulture and landscape architecture have merged and together with other teaching staff from the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences (IT, mathematics, physics, chemistry) form the Geisenheim department. Along with this concentration, the gradual changeover of the courses from diploma degrees to bachelor and master degrees has been completed in the 2007/2008 winter semester.
International cooperation
Since Hermann Müller's activity at the end of the 19th century, there has traditionally been a close relationship and cooperation with the Federal Research Institute for Fruit, Viticulture and Horticulture in Wädenswil (Switzerland). Also in Switzerland, in Changins , is the École d'ingénieurs de Changins ; both institutions are now partnered with the Agroscope . Another important partner in Europe is the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing in Klosterneuburg (Austria). The research institute cooperates with the traditional wine-growing countries of France and Italy, particularly in the fields of viticulture and cellar management. These include the Istituto Sperimentale di Viticoltura in Conegliano (Italy), the " Fondazione Edmund Mach " -Istituto Agrario di San Michele all 'Adige (Italy) and the universities in Montpellier and Bordeaux (France). Research partners in Hungary are the local research institutes Kecskemét and Eger . In Greece, the University of Thessaloniki works with the research institute on questions of viticulture research.
International research partners are, for example, the Rajamangala Institute of Technology (Thailand), the Charles Sturt University in Wagga-Wagga (Australia), the CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India), the viticulture research station in Nijtvoorby and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and the Cornell University , New York (USA).
In addition to universities and research institutions, there was also a wide variety of collaborations with governmental and non-governmental associations and institutions on projects in horticulture and viticulture.
Institutions of the Geisenheim Research Institute
Winery of the Geisenheim research institute
The research institute maintained its own 24 hectare winery , which belongs to the Association of German Predicate and Quality Wineries and whose products regularly receive national and international awards. Because of the experimental work in the fields of Viticulture and Enology a typical assortment of wines, is here sects and fires offered. Of course, the focus is on Riesling , but grape varieties from experimental plants such as Gamaret , Zweigelt , Frühburgunder or Auxerrois are also represented .
Cultivation took place in Geisenheimer and Rüdesheimer locations such as Geisenheimer Fuchsberg, Geisenheimer Kläuserweg, Geisenheimer Rothenberg or Geisenheimer Mäuerchen as well as Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz and Rüdesheimer Klosterberg.
Park of the research institute
The park of the Geisenheim research institute was divided into two parts. There are a total of 3 hectares of parks around the main building of the research institute and the 3.6 hectares of parks around Villa Monrepos. The former in particular have a large number of rare trees and bushes, including a milk orange tree ( Maclura pomifera ) and a handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata var. Vilmoriniana). Other rarities are the Zoeschener maple (Acer × zoeschense), the David's maple (Acer davidii), the Engelmann's beech (Fagus engelmannii), the lotus plum (Diospyros lotus), a male and a female specimen of the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) , the Geschlitztblättrige walnut ( Juglans regia 'Laciniata'), the Orange cherry (Idesia polycarpa), the Geschlitztblättrige chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum 'Laciniata'), the antlers tree (Gymnocladus dioica), the Gutta Percha (Eucommia ulmoides) and the calocedrus -type Calocedrus decurrens .
Many of the trees planted are over 100 years old. The parks around the Monrepos were planned by the Siesmayer brothers, who also designed the Frankfurt Palm Garden . At the time of their creation and well into the 20th century, they were primarily famous for their shaped fruit trees and flower beds.
Main library
In 1872, when the Geisenheim Research Center was founded, a library was also set up. The main library, together with the 17 specialist libraries for the subject areas, has a total of around 120,000 volumes. In 1969 the library of the Society for the History of Wine e. V. integrated into the holdings of the main library, in 1990 the main library of the Geisenheim research institute was included in the "Handbook of Historical Book Holdings in Germany". The annual reports of the Geisenheim research institute can also be found in the main library.
Personalities of the research institute
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Various internationally known scientists have worked at the research institute, for example Hermann Müller-Thurgau (1850–1927), the head of the plant physiological station at the research institute. He was the founder of the Federal Research Institute for Fruit, Viticulture and Horticulture in Wädenswil / Switzerland and in Geisenheim in 1882 he bred the Müller-Thurgau vine, the most successful new variety in the world. Heinrich Birk was a successful cultivator of well-known grape varieties such as Ehrenfelser before and after the Second World War in Geisenheim.
His successor, Helmut Becker (1927–1990), headed the Institute for Vine Breeding at the Geisenheim Research Station from 1964 to 1990. He was a lecturer in vine breeding and grafting and had a worldwide reputation. Gerhard Troost (1906–1999) studied viticulture in Geisenheim in 1929 and was then a long-term employee and professor at the research institute in Geisenheim. He built up the Institute for Cellar Management and Beverage Technology and introduced the beverage technology course in Geisenheim. Troost was the author of the standard scientific works Technologie des Weines, which is now in its sixth edition, and Sekt, Schaumwein, Perlwein.
Julius Koch (1912–1991) was appointed director in 1949 and from 1951 head of the institute and professor of the Institute for Vegetable and Fruit Utilization of the Research Institute, which he headed until 1959. He organized the reconstruction of the institute and made great contributions to the training of the next generation and the training of managers in his own courses. He imparted the latest technology in wine and fruit juice production to the fruit juice manufacturers. His goal was to increase the quality of the juices and stabilize the beverages, which he achieved primarily through the use of physical methods such as warm filling, KZE processes and sterile filling operations. Julius Koch became internationally known and was active in various commissions.
Gerd Däumel (1913–2011) was appointed head of the institute in 1954 and professor of the institute for garden and landscape design at the research institute in 1960, which he headed until 1978. In addition to developing research and teaching, an important task in the early days was the restoration and re-planning of the Monrepos parks, which were completely destroyed in the war. The topic of his dissertation was the history of land maintenance ("About land beautification"). So it was only natural that for the 100th anniversary of the research institute he presented a work entitled Geisenheim 1872–1972, Hundred Years of Horticulture and Landscape Management.
Dieter Hennebo (1923-2007) is considered as Nestor of the subject area "Historic Gardens" and the preservation of historic gardens in Germany. He took his first professional steps in this field from 1957 as a research assistant at the Geisenheim Research Institute.
Julius Wortmann (1856–1925) founded the first yeast inoculation station at the teaching and research institute in 1894.
Karl Kroemer (1871–1956) headed the plant physiological research station from 1903 to 1935. As early as 1904, he founded a scientific department for vine grafting at his research station and devoted himself to scientifically based research on grapevine varieties.
Friedrich Schmitthenner (1876–1945) was also an assistant at the Geisenheim Research Station. As an employee of Karl Kroemer, he was recruited from the Bad Kreuznacher Seitz works for the development of filter technology for food from the Prussian vine processing station in Geisenheim. Schmitthenner was pioneering in the field of wine chemistry; His special merit is the development of the first prefabricated filter by EK (disinfection filter sheet). Thanks to the cold sterile filling that this makes possible, wine cellar management and sweet must preparation have been placed on a new footing worldwide.
Hugo Schanderl (1901–1975), also an employee of Karl Kroemer, was his successor. He brought the taxonomy of Apikulatushefen on the state of the system . The students of the school drew practical benefit from his research on spontaneous fermentation and fermentation disorders in wine and sparkling wine.
Norbert Becker , German agronomist in the field of grapevine breeding and viticultural location studies.
Peter-Jürgen Paschold , the "asparagus pope"
Karl Wucherpfennig (1925–2017) Head of the Institute for Fruit and Vegetable Utilization. In 2009 he was awarded the Cross of Merit 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his services to German wine and fruit juice research.
From April 1, 1903, an extended board of trustees was created for the Royal Institute for Wine, Fruit Growing and Horticulture in Geisenheim am Rhein, and the agricultural functionary and pomologist Traugott Mueller was appointed chairman .
Cultivars of the research institute
Some varieties that are important for fruit and wine growing have emerged from the breeding work of individual specialist areas. By far the best-known Geisenheimer variety is the white grape variety Müller-Thurgau, also called Rivaner. It was created back in the 1880s. Other cultivation-relevant Geisenheimer vines include Ehrenfelser, Saphira , Reichensteiner and Ehrenbreitsteiner . Also of importance is the rootstock " Börner ", which originated in Geisenheim, and is the only rootstock that is resistant to phylloxera.
The walnut variety “Wunder von Monrepos” is just as well established in fruit growing as the plum varieties of the “TOP Group”. Another new breed is the aprimira mirabelle variety that was created in 1994 .
literature
- Hessian research institute for viticulture, fruit growing and horticulture Geisenheim / Rhein (ed.): Geisenheim 1872–1972. 100 years of research and teaching in viticulture, fruit growing and horticulture. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1972. ISBN 3-8001-3023-8
- Society for the Promotion of the Geisenheim Research Institute (ed.): 125 years of the Geisenheim Research Institute - Festschrift for the 125th anniversary. Geisenheim 1997.
- Paul Claus; Geisenheim cultural monuments support group (ed.): Geisenheim memories (1817–1972). Eduard von Lade and the teaching and research institute. Contributions to the culture and history of the city of Geisenheim. Vol. 8. Geisenheim 2005.
Web links
Research projects:
- hefefinder.de - Research project of the Department of Microbiology on yeast
- vitisvinum.info - Lexicon of viticultural terms in 5 languages
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hessian Ministry of Science and Art: Research Institute Geisenheim is to become an independent university. Press release. (No longer available online.) December 7, 2011, archived from the original on March 1, 2014 ; accessed on February 14, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Wissenschaftsrat.de - Recommendations for differentiating between universities (PDF; 1.4 MB) .
- ↑ Among other things: Mention in Meyers Konversations-Lexikon from 1894.
- ^ History of the library of the Geisenheim University and its predecessor institutions
- ↑ Gerd Däumel, archive page with curriculum vitae
- ^ Report of the higher state educational institute for viticulture, fruit growing and horticulture in Geisenheim a. Rh. For the budget year 1903, reimbursed by the director Dr. Julius Wortmann , Berlin, Paul Parey publishing house, 1904, p. 1, https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_cio-AQAAMAAJ/page/n9
- ↑ Overview of the varieties of the department / institute for fruit growing
Coordinates: 49 ° 59 ′ 3 ″ N , 7 ° 57 ′ 41 ″ E