Project properties

Title BSc thesis: Seed viability of red-listed orchid species
Group Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group
Project type thesis
Credits 15
Supervisor(s) Bob van Leeuwen
Examiner(s) Bob van Leeuwen
Contact info bob.vanleeuwen@wur.nl
Begin date 2025/10/20
End date 2025/12/12
Description Seeds of some red-listed terrestrial orchid seeds were collected in the Netherlands. For my PhD research I am looking for a motivated student to help with creating seed baits and performing seed viability testing. Seed baits are packets of 0.5µm nylon mesh containing orchid seeds, allowing for mycorrhizal fungi to germinate the seeds while keeping predators out and facilitating retrieval and counting later. You will help to create these packets and bury them in my experimental design at Nergena, where 72 mesocosms with soil are waiting. The results of the seed baits will only be ready after spring 2026. Nonetheless, you will generate data, through the seed viability tests of several orchid species, which you can analyse and report. You can also write hypotheses and a literature overview on mycorrhizal fungi and their extraordinary relationship with orchids.

Start: ASAP (October 2025)
End date negociable
Send me an email if you're interested.
Used skills Laboratory skills
Requirements Basic laboratory skills and a steady hand