Genetics of crown rot resistance in red clover

For full details of this project, please visit: http://kess2.ac.uk/au30006/

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a forage legume capable of high yield (12t DM/ha/annum) with high protein content, significantly outstripping that of white clover by 300%. It has potential to improve performance of sheep, beef cattle or dairy cows when used in mixtures with forage grasses as compared with grass. In the 1960’s 1 million tonnes of protein was produced from red clover but usage declined in recent years due to susceptibility to diseases and pests, notably crown rot (Sclerotinia trifoliorum) and stem eelworm (Ditylenchus dipsaci) for which there are no economically viable means of chemical control. Access to cheap nitrogen fertilizer, and alternative sources of protein at the time also contributed to this decline. Insufficient persistency, delayed establishment in comparison with companion grasses, and susceptibility to diseases and pests, are key traits in urgent need of genetic improvement. This is key to increasing the use of nitrogen fixing forage crops in grassland-based agriculture, and thus moving towards more sustainable livestock farming.

The successful candidate will need to be resident in the convergence area on registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification. The successful applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship by 1st October 2017. Relevant experience with plant pathology would be advantageous. The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Government. KESS II PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need to only apply, they do not need to search for partners).

To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 28th July 2017.
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
2. A completed KESS II Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30006 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS II application forms are available to download at the link below.
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/staff-students/knowledge-economy-skills-scholarships/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/
3. A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.

Value of Award: A stipend of £14,340 (rising in accordance with inflation for the remaining two years). Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS II PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.

Length: Full-time for 3 years. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded three year study period.)

Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS II scholar (The PSDA is based on a 60 credit award, which is an additional award to the PhD).

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS II award, you must be resident, upon starting the scholarship, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.

For further student eligibility criteria related to the individual projects, please view the details of the individual project above.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Leif Skøt at [Email Address Removed] or 01970 823133

Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB

Quote Reference AU30006

Closing date for applications 28th July 2017