Marchfeld Gemüse

 
Record Number: 95
 
Disclosure Date
From the 19^th  century onwards wide-spread vegetable production in the region Marchfeld.
 
 
 
 
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
Marchfeld Gemüse
(Marchfeld vegetables)
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditional production of numerous vegetable species in the region Marchfeld, Lower Austria.
Specific soil types characterized by high humus levels and varying levels of loam and loess in combination with pannonic climate provide ideal conditions for the cultivation of vegetables.
Marchfeld Gemüse is offered as fresh and deep-frozen vegetables and processed to convenience products.
 
Name of product, Product class
Vegetables
 
Name of region
Marchfeld, Lower Austria, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Markus Bittner
Consulant of vegetbel cultivation of Bezirksbauernkammer Gänserndorf
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
About 700 vegetable farmers in the region of Marchfeld
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
Until the 19^th  century the Marchfeld area was dominated by cereal production. Intensive cultivation of vegetables was only in few villages near Vienna like in the municipality of Gerasdorf, where cabbage and asparagus were grown.
 
From the 19^th  century onwards the expansion of the city of Vienna resulted in a decline of traditional vegetable production in the Vienna districts Simmering and Kagran and, consequently, led to an increase in the surrounding Marchfeld.
 
From 1932 onwards the areas of field vegetable production were gradually extended from 150 - 200 hectares to about 1,000 hectares (1937 - 1946) annually.
 
In the March lowlands (especially Marchtrenk-Marchegg) and on the humid northern edge of Marchfeld small enterprises dominated in vegetable production, while bigger enterprises and estates prevailed in the west. Main vegetables were cucumbers, cabbage, spinach, onions, green peas for shelling, and carrots.
 
After World War II specialisation in agriculture became more important. Eventually, farmers in the Marchfeld recognized the prospects of vegetable growing.
 
In 1946 the production of vegetables for deep-freezing started.
 
Between the 1960s and 1970s field vegetables became the most important crop for large farms in the Marchfeld.
 
In 1996 the producer organisation Marchfeldgemüse GmbH & CoKG was founded.
At present, 28 farmers share ownership.
Members of the company deliver the bigger part of the 45,000 tonnes of processed vegetables.
 
Today vegetables are grown on about 7,000 hectares in the Marchfeld, which is thus the most important vegetable growing region in Lower Austria.
 
- Region:
Marchfeld is a fruitful flat area east of Vienna in the southern Wine Quarter of Lower Austria.
The plain borders the Danube in the south, the river March in the east, the hilly region of the Wine Quarter in the north, and the Bisamberg and the city of Vienna in the west.
 
Marchfeld is situated in the northern half of the Vienna Basin with small parts extending to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
 
It is a flat area (around 900 km²) with but minor variations in elevation, ranging from 143 to 178 m.
 
In context with Region of Delight Austria the region “Marchfeld Gemüse” encompasses the municipalities Aderklaa, Andlersdorf, Angern a. d. March, Baumgarten, Bockfließ, Breitenstetten, Deutsch-Wagram, Eckertsau, Engelhartstetten, Franzendorf, Fuchsenbigl, Gänserndorf, Gerasdorf, Glinzendorf, Groß-Enzersdorf, Großhofen, Haringsee, Kopfstetten, Lassee, Leopoldsdorf i. Marchfeld, Liomersdorf i. Marchfeld, Mannsdorf a. d. Donau, Marchegg, Markgrafneusiedl, Mühlleiten, Oberhausen, Obersiebenbrunn, Orth a. d. Donau, Parpbasdorf, Raasdorf, Rutzendorf, Schönkirchen-Reyersdorf, Strasshof a. d. Nordbahn, Untersiebenbrunn, Weiden a. d. March, and Weikendorf.
 
Marchfeld region is often called “Kornkammer Österreichs” (bread-basket of Austria).
 
Soil and climatic conditions
The region is influenced by a semi-arid climate: Winters are usually cold with frequently strong frosts and limited snow cover, and summers are hot and intermittently dry. It is one of the driest regions of Austria.
 
The annual average temperature is 9.6 °C, annual average precipitation is only 500 - 600 mm.
Around 1,900 hours of sunshine provide optimal conditions for vegetable growing.
 
Various soil types like black soils, alluvial soils, Chernozems Fluvisols, colluvial soils with high humus content and very different loam and loess content exist. These soils and the specific climatic conditions provide the basis for optimal vegetable production.
 
- Marchfeld vegetables:
More than 60 different vegetables are grown in the Marchfeld region. Onions (Allium cepa), green peas (Pisum sativum), carrots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus), asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracae), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and cabbages are the most important ones in terms of cultivation area.
 
Method of Production:
Marchfeld vegetables are produced according to the requirements of Integrated Production (IP) taking into account the protection of soils and minimal application of exclusively environmentally-friendly plant protection products.
Vegetable cultivation is predominantly in the open.
Marchfeld vegetables are exclusively cultivated on fields listed in a farmer’s acreage index. This ensures traceability to the field.
 
Seeds:
Certified seeds are predominately used. The use of genetically modified seeds is not allowed.
 
Fertilization:
For purposes of soil fertility the fields are fertilized with manure (horse dung) and artificial fertiliser.
 
Fertilization is subject to the requirements of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL). The application of fertilizers has to be documented in the acreage index.
 
Soil analyses are carried out annually for nitrogen and quadrennially for other relevant soil nutrients.
 
Crop rotation:
Regular crop rotation is necessary. Depending on the vegetables grown crop rotation may include cereals, beets and potatoes.
 
Plant protection measures:
Plant protection measures are only applied where defined economic thresholds have been reached. Only pesticides permitted under the guidelines of Integrated Production (IP) and included in the Infoxygen databank are used. Applications of pesticides have to be documented in the acreage index.
Weed control is done manually.
 
Irrigation:
Due to the low precipitation irrigation from field wells (groundwater) is required. Fields are irrigated during nights of hot and windy periods in order to avoid unnecessary evaporation.
Sprinkler systems and travelling gun systems are used for irrigation.
 
Harvesting and storage:
Depending on the variety concerned vegetables are harvested mainly mechanically from May to October/November. After that, the vegetables are stored in storage houses or refrigerated storage houses at 1 °C until they are sold fresh or further processed.
Thanks to optimal storage conditions some of the vegetables can be marketed throughout the year.
 
Processing and Packaging:
Marchfeld vegetables are either sold fresh or processed to deep-frozen vegetables and convenience products by the food industry in the south-east of Vienna.
 
In recent years green peas, spinach, common beans, carrots, red cabbage, and sweet corn have increasingly been cultivated for the production of deep-frozen vegetables.
 
Fresh vegetables are packed by the producer association “Marchfeldgemüse” or by farmers themselves. Packaging possibilities range from plastic bags, nets, paper bags, loose packaging in BigBags to Carry fresh and manually filled returnable boxes.
 
- Proof of origin:
Marchfeld vegetables haveto be traceable along the food chain. For this purpose farmers have to record data about the fields and vegetable varieties they use and about the harvesting of the different varieties.
 
Each product in food retail trade is identified by means of a lot number.
 
- Quality control:
The production of Marchfeld vegetables is subject to the requirements of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme and the AMA Quality Seal. Compliance is in both cases checked by accredited control agencies.
The AMA Quality Seal fulfils the criteria of GlobalGAP for farmers in Austria.
Moreover, processed products are tested for pesticide residues at all production stages.
 
Vegetables produced under the organic scheme are controlled by accredited control bodies.
 
- Marketing:
Fresh vegetables are available seasonally. Deep-frozen vegetables are available throughout the year.
 
Marchfeld Gemüse is marketed directly, by retail and to gastronomy.
In recent years it is increasingly exported abroad (e.g. Great Britain, Germany). Onions and carrots are the main exported products.
 
Parts of the harvested vegetables are marketed by the producer organisation “Marchfeldgemüse”.
 
Connection with the geographical area and Traditional Knowledge
- Particular soil types with high humus levels and varying levels of loam
  and loess and the pannonic climate provide ideal conditions for the
  cultivation of vegetables.
- The unique taste and aroma of Marchfeld vegetables are directly linked
  to the pannonic climate and the numerous hours of sunshine.
- The production of Marchfeld vegetables is the result of Traditional
  Knowledge passed on from generation to generation: the Traditional
  Knowledge and expertise of vegetable farmers (adaptation of the
  cultivation to the environmental conditions, selection of cultivars,
  harvesting, storage technology), the expertise of retail sellers in
  marketing and of processors (deep-frozen vegetables, convenience
  products, vegetable preserves).
 
- Utilization:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

Marchfeld vegetables are either used as fresh vegetables or processed to deep-frozen vegetables and convenience products.
 
- Protection:
- 
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Lower Austria, region, Marchfeld, vegetables, fresh vegetables, deep-frozen vegetables, onions, green peas, carrots, asparagus, spinach, salad, common bean, celeriac, sweet corn, Marchfeld Gemüse, Marchfeld vegetables
 
Bibliography / References
- ENGLERT, K. GRIESER, L. HASTREITER, G.F. HELLER (1993):
  Asparagus, Peter Wodarz, Berlin, 1993, p. 24
- HOFMAYER, A. Die viehlose Landwirtschaft im Marchfeld.
  Entwicklung-Aspekte-Probleme, Dissertation, philosophische
  Fakultät der Universität Wien, Wien 1974
- KAUPER R., STEINBAUER R. Regionalprofil der Region
  “Wien – Bratislava”. Institut für Regional- und Umweltwirtschaft
  Institute of Regional Development and Environment, 2007. p. 19
- MAIER-BRUCK F. Niederösterreich: Gemüse, Salate, Soßen. In:
  Vom Essen auf dem Lande, 2^nd  edition, Verlag Kremayr & Scheriau,
  Wien, 1995, 163 ff.
- W. Neudorfer, Irrigation practices and Problems in the
  Marchfeld-Region – Austria
 
- Anmerkungen zur praktischen Bewässerung im Marchfeld aus
  wasserwirtschaftlicher Sicht
  www.raumberg-gumpenstein.at/cms/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=934&Itemid=53  
- Bauer – Power – Bioregion
  Das Potenzial des Biologischen Landbaues für die ländliche
  Regionalentwicklung in Österreich
  http://orgprints.org/7074/01/Bauer-Power-Bioregion_end.pdf  
- Bewässerung in Niederösterreich
  http://www.fachverband-feldberegnung.de/pdf/niederoe.pdf
 - Biologische Landwirtschaft im Marchfeld
  http://www.umweltbundesamt.at/fileadmin/site/publikationen/M127.pdf
- Die Landwirtschaft. Garten- und Gemüsebau. Mai 2007. S. 4-33.
  www.agrarnet.info
- E.O.M: Erzeugerorganisation Marchfeldgemüse GmbH & CoKG
  http://www.eom.at/
- Gemüse, älter als die Menschheit
  http://www.ama-marketing.at/index.php?id=596
- Gemüse, en.:vegetables, fr.:légumes, it.:legumi, ortaggi,
  verdura, es.:legumbres, verdura
  http://www.lebensmittellexikon.de/g0000280.php
- Geologische Annäherung an das Marchfeld
  http://www.geologie.ac.at/de/GEONEWS/2004-04-28-spargel.html
- Grünes Tirol. Tiroler Kulturpflanzen. Die Geschichte der Kulturpflanzen
  (2. Teil eines mehrteiligen Beitrages)
  http://www.tirol.gv.at/fileadmin/www.tirol.gv.at/themen/laendlicher-raum/agrar/zahlen-daten-agrarberichte/downloads/GGene_Save_Gruenes_Tirol_Ausgabe_2_2007_neu.pdf
- Grünes Tirol. Tiroler Kulturpflanzen Die Geschichte der Kulturpflanzen
  (1. Teil eines mehrteiligen Beitrags)
  http://www.tirol.gv.at/fileadmin/www.tirol.gv.at/themen/laendlicher-raum/agrar/zahlen-daten-agrarberichte/downloads/Gene_Save_Tiroler_Kulturpflanzen_Gruenes_Tirol_Ausgabe_2_2007.pdf - Marchfeld
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marchfeld
- Marchfeld
  http://aeiou.iicm.tugraz.at/aeiou.encyclop.m/m132484.htm
- Marchfeld Gemüse
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/18581
- Marchfeldkanal
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marchfeldkanal
- Marchfeldspargel - Patentamt Dokument
  Besonderheit des geografischen Gebiets
  http://www.patentamt.at/Home/Markenschutz/Herkunftsangaben/HA3_07_ED_Marchfeldspargel_1.pdf - REINER H. Gemüsepraxis. Wie Venus in den Rosen.
  http://www.helmutreiner.at/pdf/gemuese_qualitaet_teil5_kulturgeschichte.pdf
- REDL, J. Die alte Landwirtschaft. Die Agrarstruktur des
  Marchfeldes zwischen 1780 und 1835/37, Diplomarbeit, Universität Wien,
  Juni 1996
  http://epub.wu.ac.at/dyn/virlib/wp/eng/mediate/epub-wu-01_d07.pdf?ID=epub-wu-01_d07
- Schlacht auf dem Marchfeld
  http://www.badische-seiten.de/wissen/schlacht-marchfeld.php
- Schlacht auf dem Marchfeld
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlacht_auf_dem_Marchfeld
- Thalers S et.al.Climate change impacts on selected crops in
  Marchfeld, Eastern Austria
  http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/138941.pdf
- Touring the Marchfeld Plain & Eastern Danube Area – Part I
  http://www.tourmycountry.com/austria/marchfelddanube.htm
- Verordnung (EG) Nr. 510/2006 des Rates zum Schutz von
  geografischen Angaben und Ursprungsbezeichnungen für
  Agrarerzeugnisse und Lebensmittel
  „MARCHFELDSPARGEL”. EG-Nr.: G/AT/01462/95/07/03
  http://www.patentamt.at/Home/Markenschutz/Herkunftsangaben/HA3_07_ED_Marchfeldspargel_1.pdf
 
All internet references last accessed on 28 October 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Association Genuss Region Marchfeld Gemüse
chairman Otto Gasselich
Hauptstraße 8
2230 Gänserndorf
Phone: 0699/18048060
E-mail: otto.g@tele2.at 
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Mag. Doris Reinthaler, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

10.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4