From basic research to the field and back
© Jan Diettrich
© Christina Kothes
The 5th Transplant Day was held on 11th of February 2026 within the TRANSPLANT initiative of the CEPLAS Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences. The initiative promotes exchange between plant science research and agricultural practice and supports the translation of fundamental discoveries into practical applications. The event focused on plant–microbiome interactions and biological approaches that can contribute to more sustainable crop production systems.
Scientific Presentations
Two invited presentations addressed the role of soil microorganisms and microbial products in crop production.
Prof. Dr. Guido Grossmann (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf), Head of the Institute for Cell Interaction Biology and a CEPLAS researcher, opened the session. His research focuses on plant cell biology, plant–microbiome interactions, and growth regulation in plants. He presented the biological mechanisms underlying plant–microbiome interactions and highlighted how soil microorganisms contribute to nutrient mobilization, plant protection against pathogens, plant growth regulation, and improved tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought and heat.
Dr. Markus Weinmann (Agricultural Testing and Research Institute Speyer), an expert in rhizosphere biology and microbial bioeffectors and formerly affiliated with the University of Hohenheim, presented current research on the application of microbial products such as biostimulants and microbial bioeffectors in agricultural systems. His talk discussed their potential benefits as well as the challenges of achieving reliable effects under field conditions.
Key Insights
The presentations emphasized that the performance of microbial solutions in agriculture depends on complex interactions between plants, soil conditions, and existing microbial communities. While laboratory and greenhouse experiments often show promising results, transferring these outcomes to agricultural production systems remains challenging. The event highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between plant science research and agricultural practice to better understand these interactions and develop effective strategies for field implementation.
Organization and Outlook
The joint event was co-hosted by the ReLaBo-Project of the Chamber of Agriculture in North Rhine-Westfalia and organized within the TRANSPLANT framework by the innovation managers M.S Christina Kothes, Dr. Ricardo Godínez, and Dr. Jan Diettrich. The 5th Transplant Day further strengthened the role of the TRANSPLANT initiative as a platform for exchange within the CEPLAS community. By bringing together CEPLAS faculty members, early career researchers, students and stakeholders from outside the academia, the initiative supports discussion of research questions with societal relevance, enriches the definition of new research questions with aspects from practical fields and promotes the translation of scientific knowledge into practical applications. Future activities within the TRANSPLANT framework will continue to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and explore innovative approaches for sustainable crop production.
Dr. Ricardo Godinez Moreno