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Project properties |
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| Title | Unlocking the secret of earthworm, root and mycorrhizal fungi interactions |
| Group | Soil Biology |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 24-39 |
| Supervisor(s) | Alix Vidal |
| Examiner(s) | TBD |
| Contact info | alix.vidal@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2025/02/01 |
| End date | |
| Description | Among the myriad of soil organisms, earthworms and plant roots are pillars for facilitating soil structure formation and improving soil quality. It is well known that roots use old earthworm burrows to expand in the soil, and earthworms that have no physical contact with the plants, can affect their growth and fitness. Earthworms also have the capacity to promote or hamper the mycorrhizal symbiosis. Thus, earthworms interact with the plant through numerous direct and indirect pathways that are challenging to disentangle. These interactions may affect the cycling of carbon and nutrients, particularly in the hotspots formed by the plant and earthworms.
In this thesis, the selected student will use an original experimental design to highlight the mechanisms through which earthworms influence the plant. We will use a compartment approach with meshes and maize plant mutants to disentangle complex interactions. At the end of the experiment, we will analyse the earthworm abundance and activity, the plant biomass and traits, and the mycorrhizal colonization. Depending on the interest of the student, there is also be the possibility to focus of the consequences of earthworms, roots and mycorrhizal fungi interactions on soil biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus). |
| Used skills | We are looking for a motivated student with creative thinking and problem solving skills. Some experience with plant-soil interactions and lab work would be an advantage. |
| Requirements | Handbook for the generic thesis requirements at SBL, https://ssc.wur.nl/Handbook/Course/SBL-81836 |