Dr T Kakouli
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are wormlike micro-invertebrates capable of killing insects and hence show excellent potential as biological control agents against insects of agricultural and public health importance. Bacterial endophytes are soil inhabiting bacteria, naturally colonizing plant tissues and displaying plant growth promotion and, in some cases, biological control properties. Previous research in enviroCORE, on the fundamental interactions between EPN and bacterial endophytes, has demonstrated excellent compatibility between these two types of organisms. This project proposes therefore to take this work further aiming to (1) develop a novel combined biological control and plant growth promotion agent, and (2) bring this agent to pre-commercialisation stage. Currently, one of the major challenges facing humanity is to provide food security to a constantly growing global population, in a sustainable and environment friendly way. Crop fertilisation and crop protection are essential practices to ensure crop production of that scale. Crop losses due to pest attacks have been conventionally dealt with chemical pesticides, thus burdening our environment and our health with toxic inputs. Chemical pesticides cause detrimental effects on non-target organisms and eventually pest resistance, thus embarking in a vicious circle of pesticide overuse with all its dangerous consequences. Similarly, chemical fertiliser overuse has led to problems with soil toxicity and water eutrophication. Innovative approaches, like the one proposed, on the development and application of combined beneficial natural agents for plant fertilisation and crop protection, will pave the way for more sustainable crop production practices and will aid towards establishing these commercially.
Closing Date for Applications: The initial deadline for applications is 13 June 2016 but applications will be considered throughout the year until all scholarships have been filled.
Please follow this link for more information http://www.itcarlow.ie/research/post-graduate-studies/graduate-opportunities/presidents-research-fellowship-scholarship.htm
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