Institut für Waldschutz
The aim of the planned project for the investigation and utilization of sulfur-induced resistance/tolerance (SiRT) is to carry out a large-scale evaluation of existing data sets on the sulfur supply status of forests and to correlate these data with the growth conditions/stress conditions/immune potential on site, using Lower Saxony as an example. In parallel, the growth behavior, the synthesis of different immune-enhancing sulfur metabolites and the stress resistance/tolerance under different sulfur availability will be analyzed in pot experiments with young trees. In forest areas selected by the Niedersächsische Landesforsten (NLF), S-application experiments with sulphur-containing lime are carried out and the reaction of the trees is intensively evaluated. The focus here is not on a fertilization effect in the sense of an increase in yield, but on the positive effect that sulphur has on plant health and thus on the preservation and improvement of wood quality. Only what is removed by the timber harvest is returned to the ecosystem. The partner Kreidewerk Dammann will provide both the conventional combined fertilizer "Granukal-S/Sulfoprill", which is already used in agriculture, and the logistics for spreading it. At the same time, there are plans to produce various other formulations with sulphur and apply them in forest areas. The aim of the work is to provide forest managers with targeted recommendations for sulphur application and to work with them to carry out scientifically monitored sulphur applications in the area. This not only takes into account whether there is a deficiency, but also whether there is sufficient sulphur for a strong forest immune system and whether this can be further strengthened to counteract stressors. As a long-term vision - e.g. via a follow-up project - we are striving to program these recommendations as an easy-to-use smartphone application (forest S app), which, after entering a few key data and including GPS-accurate positions, shows such an application recommendation at the location. SiRT is intended to make forests more vital and healthier in the long term in order to produce the renewable raw material wood more efficiently and thus store CO2, as managed forests in particular can ultimately cope better with stress factors such as drought or high pathogen pressure and thus live longer. Stimulated stress tolerance through sulphur thus strengthens forestry and helps the sustainable production of renewable raw materials, even under the conditions of global climate change. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
