Frank Rasche

Prof. Dr. Frank Rasche is a Professor at the Department of Crop Production in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e), Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim. His research focuses on soil microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and sustainable agricultural systems. He leads the NAPERDIV project (2021-2024) on perennial cereal cultivation and collaborates on global initiatives involving biocontrol agents and nutrient cycling.

• Affiliations: University of Hohenheim, CGIAR Research Program, European Grassland Federation
• Key Techniques: Stable isotope probing, MidDRIFTS spectroscopy, Molecular microbial ecology

Research Interests: Biological nitrification inhibition, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, organic residue decomposition, microbial community dynamics, and agroecological soil management. His work bridges tropical and temperate agriculture, emphasizing carbon/nitrogen cycling, heavy metal remediation, and biocontrol of parasitic weeds.

Recent Publications (2024-2019): 15+ peer-reviewed articles on nitrification inhibitors in perennial grasses, mycorrhizal-assisted phytoremediation, Fusarium-based biocontrol mechanisms, and microbial responses to organic inputs across diverse climates. Key journals include New Phytologist, Soil Biology & Biochemistry, and Frontiers in Microbiology.

Projects: Current NAPERDIV (EU-funded) explores perennial cereal systems. Completed projects include Mercury-AMF (Ghana/Burkina Faso), HypoWave (wastewater reuse), and IITA-led Striga control initiatives. His work spans 4 continents, integrating soil health, microbial ecology, and resource-efficient farming.