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Project properties |
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| Title | Biological soil quality indicators for agricultural management and environmental impact |
| Group | Soil Biology |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Giulia Bongiorno, Else Bünemann (FIBL, Research institute of organic agriculture) |
| Examiner(s) | prof.dr. Rachel Creamer |
| Contact info | giulia.bongiorno@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2020/09/01 |
| End date | |
| Description | Soil quality indicators are important tools for assessing the state of agricultural soils as affected by management practices (e.g. tillage, farming system) or environmental impact (e.g. climate change ). The knowledge generated by the analyses of soil quality indicators can be used in the selection of agronomical practices that maintain agricultural productivity without degrading soils. In this study you will focus on the monitoring, development and testing of soil biological indicators (molecular, bioassay for soil suppressiveness, biochemical, biomarkers). Soil biota play a primary role in soil processes and can respond fast to environmental changes, therefore being an ideal soil quality indicator candidate. Large possibility of collaboration with other WUR departments (nematology, soil chemistry…), universities, and research institute (NIOO, FIBL Switzerland…). |
| Used skills | Literature review, field and laboratory analyses of soil biological quality indicators such as enzymatic activities, ergosterol content, soil suppressiveness etc. in different soil that faced different types of management or environmental stressors. Link soil quality indicators with soil functions. Data processing, statistical analysis, writing. |
| Requirements | Depending on duration – refer to Study Handbook SOQ-81824 – SOQ-81839 |