Project properties
Title <b> (NEW!) Field study on the effects of plant-plant competition on defence and insect communities
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 36
Supervisor(s) Laura Zuidema, Erik Poelman
Examiner(s) Erik poelman, Bregje Wertheim
Contact info laura.zuidema@wur.nl
Begin date 2025/04/01
End date 2025/10/01
Description Plants have to grow and reproduce and at the same be able to defend themselves against herbivores. It is believed that there is a trade-off between growth and defence. To fully understand the balance between growth and defence in plants, the ecological costs
of defence need to be considered. These are costs related to the complex interactions between
organisms in the entire ecological context of the plant, such as neighbouring plants, herbivores, natural enemies of those herbivores and pollinators. In this field study, you will grow Brassica nigra plants in a competitive environment and assess their defence responses. In addition, you will monitor the herbivore, natural enemy, and pollinator communities around the plants. For this study, it is important that you enjoy being outside on the field.
Used skills Plant growth, plant defence, insect monitoring, tri-trophic interactions, statistical analysis
Requirements For doing a MSc-thesis or Research Practice at Entomology, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 + a second ENT-course (preferably ENT-30306 or ENT-50806 or ENT-53806). As an alternative for the second ENT-course, PHP-30806 or BHE-30306 can be selected.
For doing an Internship, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806.
Note:
1) these requirements do not apply for MBI students;
2) MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc-thesis, Research Practice or Internship in the study programme of their specialisation.