Project properties
Title Development of a seed vigour test for organic seeds
Group Plant Physiology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 36
Supervisor(s) Jan Kodee
Examiner(s) Leonie Bentsink
Contact info jan.kodde@wur.nl, thesis.PPH@wur.nl
Begin date 2024/03/01
End date 2024/09/01
Description In organic farming, devoid of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, the microbiome plays a central role in promoting nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Beneficial bacteria and fungi can promote nutrient absorption and strengthen disease resistance.
This project aims to develop a seed vigor test for wheat and soybean that focuses on nutrient mobilization. In such a test, seeds that allow seedlings to better mobilize nutrients have an advantage. This could be due to the microbiome of the seeds themselves or the better ability of the seedlings to utilize the microbiome already present in the soil.
The thesis project is part of the EU Liveseeding project, an EU-funded project that aims to improve the availability and quality of organic reproductive material (such as seeds). The first use of the developed vigour test will be testing seeds produced with different farming systems, both organic and traditional, at FiBL (Switzerland).

Flexible start date.

If you are interested in this project please contact the supervisor via email with a copy to thesis.PPH@wur.nl with:
1. Your motivation for choosing this project
2. For which purpose (BSc or MSc thesis, research practice, etc)
3. Your BSc/MSc program
4. When you would like to start
Please be aware that if you do not provide the required information above it may cause a delay in our reply.
Used skills Plant physiology, seed physiology, data analyses, statistics.
Requirements Preferably having taken of the two courses: Seed science and technology (PPH-31306) or Plant plasticity and adaptation (PPH-30806).