Field Day: Protecting the climate with ribwort plantain in vegetable cultivation

On Monday, October 6, 2025, the operational group of the EIP project “Plantain for nitrous oxide reduction” invited guests to a field day at the Thees organic farm in Mildstedt. From 12 noon to 5 p.m., anyone interested was welcome to learn about an innovative method in vegetable cultivation.

The focus was on how growing savoy cabbage with ribwort plantain as an undersown crop not only improves soil fertility but can also make an active contribution to climate protection. Ribwort plantain naturally contains substances that inhibit nitrification—the process by which nitrogen is converted into nitrate in the soil. This is intended to reduce nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions, which can both relieve the burden on the environment and offer economic advantages for farmers.

Visitors enjoyed a varied program with guided tours of the trial areas, specialist presentations, and opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers and practitioners. Practical demonstrations showed how ribwort plantain can be integrated as an undersown crop in vegetable cultivation and what opportunities this offers for sustainable agriculture.

Date: October 6, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Location: Biohof Thees, 25866 Mildstedt