Project properties
Title Optimizing nutrient use efficiency of strip cropping systems: how does spatial diversity of plant and microbial properties influence soil nutrient cycling?
Group Soil Biology
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Gerlinde De Deyn and Marie Zwetsloot
Examiner(s) prof.dr. Rachel Creamer
Contact info gerlinde.dedeyn@wur.nl / marie.zwetsloot@wur.nl
Begin date 2020/09/01
End date
Description Strip cropping of multiple species has been proposed as a viable strategy to diversify intensive monocultural production systems through space and time, thereby supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. In specific, spatial diversity (species mixtures) is expected to enhance the nutrient use efficiency of cropping systems and reduce the need for external inputs. However, this effect may be limited in its spatial extend and may depend on the specific species involved. Therefore, a better understanding of the belowground interactions between different crop species and microbes and nutrient mineralisation is needed in order to optimize nutrient use efficiency of strip cropping systems. As plant nutrient acquisition and microbial interactions are likely to vary depending on their location in the strip cropping field (strip border vs. centre), the aim of this thesis research is to investigate how specific crop combinations influence soil microbial communities, root foraging strategies and nutrient cycling across space. Research will consists of field work and laboratory analyses. Students are given the option to indicate their preferred focus within the project and develop their own research questions. Depending on the start of the thesis work, main crops (spring/summer) or cover crops (summer/fall) will be investigated.
Used skills Literature review, writing proposal and thesis, experimental design, field work, lab skills, data analysis.
Requirements Required courses for MSc thesis Soil Biology