Research at Hochschule Geisenheim University

Creating Strategies for a Sustainable and Livable Future

Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Sustainability Targets – We're Meeting the Planet's Most Urgent Challenges

Our mission is to develop resource-efficient, innovative, and sustainable solutions in the area of agriculture and food. Our work spans a broad range of key issues: advancing organic, climate-resilient cultivation strategies for specialty crops, developing sustainable production and marketing methods, and designing livable cultural landscapes and urban regions. By uniting ecology, profitability, and a focus on quality of life, we aim to create a sustainable future in which society and nature can flourish together.

Our Focus Areas

Sustainable Cultivation Systems for Specialty Crops

Cultivating grapevines, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals is particularly resource intensive – as such, a careful balance between producing the highest quality products possible and ensuring sustainable practices needs to be struck.

Through our research, we are developing innovative, ecofriendly strategies that ensure healthy harvests and preserve resources. We breed varieties and growth forms that are optimally adapted to climate change, environmental factors, and potential pests and pathogens. Modern sensor systems help control water and nutrient supply with pinpoint accuracy, alternative plant protection strategies – such as the use of antagonists – strengthen plants and their environments, and new digital techniques make precise management measures possible. Together with our partners, we are establishing diverse cultivation strategies that promote biodiversity and preserve ecosystem functions, creating an economically and ecologically sustainable future for viticulture and horticulture.

Innovative and Safe Processing and Marketing for Plant Products

Sustainability in food production spans the entire journey, from cultivation and processing to the moment the product reaches the customer. At every stage, product quality and safety needs to be guaranteed. The bioeconomy plays a key role in this context, enabling the more efficient use of resources, processes, and systems, while supporting the livelihood of the businesses that produce them. 

Through our research, we develop energy and resource-efficient methodologies for processing plant products and extracting valuable ingredients from crops and by-products. We examine microorganisms as natural protective cultures, evaluate the health effects of plant-based ingredients, and conduct sensory tests with our university panel. Market research, consumer behavior analyses, and industry data deliver essential insights for sustainable marketing strategies, particularly in the wine industry. We also analyze the logistical processes, from packing to distribution, and boost the efficiency and sustainability of the entire value chain with the help of modern, digital technologies.

Livable Cultural Landscapes and Urban Regions

Intensified land use has reduced valuable landscape features and biodiversity in many areas. Urban regions are also under pressure to maintain quality of life through green infrastructure such as parks and green belts.

Through our research, we develop methods to optimize and assess urban open spaces and enhance their social sustainability. We create techniques for greening sites with limited soil and for using plants in urban areas in a targeted manner, particularly in the context of climate change. For viticultural landscapes, we design strategies to adapt to climate change and preserve rare species. Additionally, we develop concepts for multifunctional, ecologically valuable, and attractive landscapes that enable new, sustainable production scenarios.

Questions about Our Research?

Please get in touch!

Christiane Jost
Dr. Christiane Jost
Building 5924
Room 01.01
Phone +49 6722 502 6334
Christiane.Jost(at)hs-gm.de Details

News & Latest Projects

Prof. Dr. Karl H. Mühling Takes Office as President of Hochschule Geisenheim University

Portrait Prof. Karl H. Mühling. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Philipp Stieffenhofer

On June 1, 2026, Prof. Karl H. Mühling officially took office as the new president of Hochschule Geisenheim University. The internationally renowned scientist and plant nutrition expert succeeds Prof. Hans Reiner Schultz, who has significantly shaped the university over the past 13 years. Prof. Mühling was already elected at the end of January in the first round of voting by the university’s extended senate.  

Prof. Mühling has a strong background in research, teaching and academic management. Since 2007, he was Professor of Plant Nutrition at Christian Albrechts University, Kiel. Prior to this, he taught and researched at Justus Liebig University, Giessen. He also has extensive international research experience including a DFG fellowship at the University of California, Davis (USA). In addition, he is highly engaged in numerous scientific associations and currently serves as president of Dachverband Agrarforschung – the German umbrella organization for agricultural research (DAF).

“Hochschule Geisenheim University uniquely merges basic and applied research. This distinctive blend of academia, professional practice, and knowledge transfer has made the university renowned and attractive far beyond Germany”, says Prof. Mühling at his inauguration. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the university community to continue the successful development of the institution and to provide new impetus for research, teaching, and internationalization.”

Prof. Mühling has been associated with the university for many decades. He already made his first connections with Geisenheim while studying agricultural science. Later on, he closely cooperated with the university in research and teaching. According to him, the university’s unique, specialized focus on viticulture, horticulture, landscape architecture, and food sciences truly sets it apart and offers great potential.

For the first weeks in office, his priority is to get to know the staff and the numerous departments and institutions. At the same time, he wants to help enhance the university’s visibility at a national and international level, and provide new input to boost student numbers. According to him, the international master’s programs hold great promise to achieve this goal.

Meet the new president

Prof. Mühling already received his official certificate from State Minister Timon Gremmels during a ceremony in the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture on Friday. Read more. 

On June 1, staff and students had the chance to meet the new president in person during an informal get-together and the university’s “Alte Weinfass” where he was warmly welcomed by the university community. 

In a first interview available on the university website, Prof. Mühling shares his vision for the university and talks about his background and his personal motivation. Read more

University Council warmly welcomes and thanks Prof Mühling

Dr. Hermann Kolesch, Chair of the University Council, extends a warm welcome to the new president: “With Prof. Karl H. Mühling, the university gains a scientific expert with a broad network, extensive leadership experience and a strong international vision. We are very much looking forward to working with him and continuing the university's successful development.”

 At the same time, Kolesch thanked the outgoing president, Prof. Dr. Hans Reiner Schultz for his outstanding achievements: Prof. Schultz has had a special influence on and promoted the development of Hochschule Geisenheim University. During his 13-year term as president of the university, the former Research Institute with an affiliated faculty at Hochschule Rhein-Main developed into an independent, new type of university. We thank Mr. Schultz for his outstanding contribution to the development of the university."

Prof. Schultz’ official farewell ceremony will be held at the end of June to celebrate his end of term with the university community and official guests.

More information 

Categories: Zentralredaktion, MyHGU-App, Mein-Netzwerk, Interne Mitteilungen, Veranstaltungen, PRAXIS, STUDIUM, HOCHSCHULE, FORSCHUNG, Nachrichten

Images

Portrait Prof. Karl H. Mühling. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Philipp Stieffenhofer
Presentation of the official certificate with State Minister Timon Gremmels. Photo: HMWK
Staff and students warmly welcome Prof Mühling at the university's "Alte Weinfass". Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
University Chancellor Marion Waldeck presents Prof. Mühling with a "Pamina" vine stock. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
Student representatives welcome the new president. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
Prof. Mühling took the chance to say a few words to the university community himself and to raise his glass. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
Get together at the university's "Alte Weinfass". Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
Get together at the university's "Alte Weinfass". Quelle: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
Get together at the university's "Alte Weinfass". Quelle: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger
A big thank you to the AStA team for opening the "Weinfass". Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim / Tina Kissinger

Research brochure (click to enlarge)

Our University has unique opportunities to conduct scientifically recognized and applied research along the entire value chain of special crops. In doing so, we benefit both from a strong network of national and international partners and our own excellent research infrastructure at Geisenheim. Vice-President of Research Professor Annette Reineke

Map

Data from OpenStreetMap - published under ODbL

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