Markus Richter

Markus Richter serves as Professor of Horticultural Plant Production and Production Technology at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT), within Department V - Life Sciences and Technology. His academic career combines extensive industry experience with scholarly research, focusing on the practical application of botanical knowledge to solve horticultural challenges. Since joining BHT in 2008, he has established himself as a specialist in ornamental plant cultivation technology and precision irrigation systems.

Prof. Richter earned his foundational education as a Horticultural Engineer from the Technical University of Applied Sciences Berlin (1987-1990), followed by an MSc in Technology of Crop Protection from the University of Reading (1990-1991). He completed his doctorate (Dr. rer. hort) at Humboldt University of Berlin between 1996 and 2001. Prior to his academic appointment, he gained valuable industry experience as a test engineer at the Chamber of Agriculture Westphalia-Lippe (1991-2003), and later as Head of the Horticultural Research Center in Münster-Wolbeck (2003-2006) and Head of ornamental plant trials at GBZ Straelen/Cologne-Auweiler (2006-2007).

His research interests center on ornamental plant cultivation, technology in horticulture, and irrigation systems, with a particular emphasis on developing sensor-based solutions for resource-efficient plant production. Prof. Richter has pioneered work in photogrammetric monitoring systems for irrigation management, with applications spanning both greenhouse and field production environments. His expertise bridges plant physiology, engineering, and practical horticulture, addressing critical challenges in water conservation and plant health monitoring.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a dominant focus on the PLANTSENS research initiative, which has evolved through multiple phases (2017-2023). This work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated multi-sensor systems for detecting plant water stress and automating irrigation. His research spans agricultural engineering, plant physiology, and computer vision, with applications in both ornamental and vegetable production systems. A secondary research thread examines nutrient management issues in specialty crops like Helleborus and Hydrangea.

At BHT, Prof. Richter actively supervises student theses on topics including sensor systems for irrigation management, growth control of ornamental plants, and sustainable production methods. His research has been supported through multiple projects, including the PLANTSENS project (2017-2020), PlantSens II (2020-2023), and ongoing doctoral research on Helleborus cultivation. He serves on the Training Commission and Audit Committee, and acts as an academic advisor and officer for recognition of academic achievements.