Art & Science project being developed by Joanna Hoffmann with the ASN Team in the frame of the SPIN-FERT / Horizon Europe (Misson Soil) program
On July 5, 2025, the University of Hohenheim welcomed the public to its annual Open Day. As part of the event, the Spin-Fert project was presented at a joint booth with the Moor-Power project, drawing attention to the importance of peatland protection and the development of peat alternatives in horticultural substrates.
Under the shared title “Smell, guess, protect: moor protection quiz meets memory nexus”, Spin-Fert engaged visitors with a unique smell-based memory session/game, designed to explore the sensory perception of different growing media. Participants were invited to smell and reflect on two contrasting substrate samples. The activity attracted broad interest: more than 130 people took part, ranging from curious children to experienced gardeners and academics.
Following the memory game, visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of peat alternatives displayed at the booth. These included different materials currently being tested or used as components in peat-free or peat-reduced substrates. The hands-on display allowed for direct comparison of texture, structure, and appearance, sparking many in-depth conversations about practical use, environmental impact, and future potential.
Alongside Spin-Fert’s contribution, the Moor-Power project offered a peatland quiz that challenged visitors’ knowledge on topics like climate protection, rewetted moors, and the use of solar energy in these sensitive ecosystems.
Under the shared title “Smell, guess, protect: moor protection quiz meets memory nexus”, Spin-Fert engaged visitors with a unique smell-based memory game, designed to explore the sensory perception of different growing media. Participants were invited to smell and reflect on two contrasting substrate samples:
• A peat-free substrate/compost provided by SPIN-FERT partner Enomondo and
• A peat-reduced commercial substrate sourced from a local garden center.
After smelling both samples, visitors were asked to assign each one to one of four categories based on their personal impressions:
🟩 Nature and sensory experience (Adenine)
🟨 Relationships and human connections (Cytozine)
🟥 Memory and personal reflection (Uracil)
🟦 Existential and philosophical associations (Guanine)
The activity attracted broad interest, ranging from curious children to experienced gardeners and academics.
Memory Molecule no 8
Sample 1: For the sample, compost produced using an innovative method was employed, combining waste materials from agri-food industries and greenery maintenance. In particular, it includes three types of raw materials:
- Grape pomace – residues from wine production, after the extraction of residual alcohol (used to produce grappa, the famous Italian distillate, or for biofuel or denatured alcohol), tartaric acid, polyphenols, and seeds.
- Residues from agri-food industries – such as peels and exhausted pulp from fruit and vegetables, as well as vegetable scraps like overripe fruit.
- Material derived from the maintenance of ornamental greenery.”
We collected: 🟩90 Adenine, 🟨8 Cytozine, 🟥25 Uracil and 🟦11 Guanine:
GGGGAAGAAAUAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGAACAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAGAAAAAUAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAAACAAAAA
……….((((..(((…..)))..))))……………(((…)))…………((..((….))..))…………..(((….)))…………
animation: Hugo Meyer
MEMORY MOLECULE 09
The samples was sourced of a big garden center in Germany and is used for sowing and propagating cuttings and it includes plant materials from horticulture and landscaping (green waste compost).
We collected: 🟩83 Adenine, 🟨14 Cytozine, 🟥11 Uracil and 🟦7 Guanine
AAAAAAAAAAAAAUAUCAAGCGAAUAAAUAUAUAACAAACAAACCCCAAAGGCAAAAAAAAAAAACCAAAACGCAAAAUAUAAAAAAAUAUAUAAAAGAAAAACGAAAAAAAAAA
…………((((..(((…..)))..))))………….((..))………..(((….)))………………………………….
animation: Hugo Meyer