Christoph Scherber on the role of the LIB in the PhenoRob Excellence-Cluster: "We need an agriculture that destroys less"

Mr Scherber, you and the LIB are part of the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence. How did this come about?

I was already involved in the first phase of PhenoRob, but without my own project funding at the time. The idea for the collaboration came about when I joined the LIB in Bonn. I was very interested in open spaces for field research, and my contact with agroecology in Bonn gave me access to the university's experimental farms. This resulted in a close connection - both professionally and methodologically.

What exactly is PhenoRob?

PhenoRob is an interdisciplinary cluster of excellence that is funded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. It is the only one of its kind in the field of agricultural sciences. The aim is to make crop production more sustainable by using modern technologies such as robotics, sensor technology, AI-supported data analysis and phenotyping. This is not just about technology, but also about ecological and economic issues. The University of Bonn leads the cluster, but many other institutions are involved - including non-university organisations.

And what role does the LIB play in concrete terms?

We contribute the perspective of biodiversity research. In the second phase of PhenoRob, a stronger focus was deliberately placed on environmental impacts - in other words, on the question of how new agricultural technologies influence biodiversity. For example, we are recording the diversity of pollinators, analysing interactions between plants, insects and weed species and developing methods to reliably measure biodiversity. The LIB is a partner with a high level of expertise in monitoring, taxonomy and environmental analysis.

Sounds like a bridge between technology and ecology.

Exactly. The great strength of PhenoRob is the combination of different disciplines: Computer science, robotics, agricultural science, economics - and, of course, ecology. The goal is an agriculture that is digitally precise, economically viable and at the same time ecologically responsible. For example, we are working on how robots can selectively fertilise or protect plants - in a way that promotes rather than damages biodiversity.

How realistic is that? Many technologies still sound very futuristic.

In fact, many solutions are already in use. There are robots such as the "FarmDroid", which are already being used in organic sugar beet cultivation. Tractors are often equipped with sensors, and drones provide precise data about the soil and plants. Camera-based crop protection sprayers that recognise weeds at 30 km/h and spray them in a targeted manner are also a reality. PhenoRob is something of an innovation driver in this area - many of the ideas are being put into practice or become start-ups.

Will automation jeopardise jobs?

Agriculture is already highly automated. The focus today is on increasing efficiency, not on displacement. PhenoRob aims to reduce environmental impact, not to replace labour. It's about ecological change: less pesticides, more targeted fertilisation, resource-conserving use of soil and water - this is also in the interests of the farms.

What is your personal role in the cluster?

I am one of around 25 so-called Principal Investigators - i.e. part of the scientific management. Our contribution as a LIB is primarily in the field of agroecology and systems analysis. We investigate how different cultivation systems - such as mixed crops instead of monocultures - affect biodiversity. To this end, we conduct experiments and accompany them with extensive monitoring, including camera technology and environmental DNA.

How do you experience the collaboration with other disciplines?

Very enriching. I work with experts from the fields of computer science, economics and agricultural engineering - many collaborations are new, some are the result of previous projects. The exchange is particularly exciting when it comes to translating ecological requirements into technological solutions. There are many interfaces, for example when camera technology recognises not only plants but also insects.

And how do consumers benefit from this?

In the best case scenario, clear criteria for sustainable products will emerge. A biodiversity score would be conceivable, similar to the Nutri-Score - which shows: This product was produced in a biodiversity-friendly way. We need instruments to visualise ecological quality. At the same time, the responsibility then also shifts to industry and politics, not just to individual buyers. Ultimately, it's about a shared responsibility for our livelihoods.

Is there political influence?

Yes, PhenoRob is not only strong in research, but also politically well networked. Some of those involved advise ministries or EU institutions. The aim is to use scientific evidence to influence political processes - for example in agricultural funding programmes or new environmental laws. If our research helps to better understand system effects, then it can also enable political solutions that go beyond short-term individual measures.

What do you think is needed for real change?

Systemic thinking. Many political debates remain monocausal: "more flower strips", "less pesticides". That doesn't go far enough. We need to rethink the entire agricultural system: How are climate, soil, plants, animals, economy and society connected? What levers do we have? PhenoRob offers an ideal environment for this - and with the LIB, we are helping to ensure that biodiversity is not seen as a side issue, but as a key target.