iCASE Fully Funded PhD Studentship - Agroecology
PhD Student
United Kingdom, Harpenden
Job description
This iCASE project is entitled 'Exploring crop-weed allelopathic interactions in the grass weed Alopecurus myosuroides'.
Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass) is a highly competitive grass weed in the UK. Due to widespread evolution of herbicide resistance, there is an urgent need for novel control options, with increasing interest in the potential for allelopathy to deliver management solutions. In the context of weed management, allelopathy is defined as ‘the adverse effect of a plant on other plants by means of the chemicals (allelochemicals) that it produces’.
There are three mechanisms via which allelopathy could enhance black-grass control, Auto-toxicity - biochemical recognition, a known allelopathic mechanism via which plant species are able to optimise germination timing to reduce intra-specific competition, Exudation of allelochemicals by cover crops and Enhanced allelopathic interference from grain crops.
In light of these opportunities, this project will address the following hypotheses, whether the Black-grass root exudates display auto-toxic effects on establishment and growth, do cover crops produce allelopathic root exudates that inhibit black-grass growth and is there genetic variation for allelopathic potential amongst cultivars of major grain crops.
Funding:
The studentship will cover a stipend (currently £14,057pa), research costs and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for students who meet the residency requirements outlined by the BBSRC. This is an iCASE studentship based at Rothamsted Research (Harpenden) in collaberation with University of Nottingham and HL Hutchinsons Ltd (Crop production specialists). There is an additional stipend of at least £2000pa. Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding. Duration of award: 4 years.
Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass) is a highly competitive grass weed in the UK. Due to widespread evolution of herbicide resistance, there is an urgent need for novel control options, with increasing interest in the potential for allelopathy to deliver management solutions. In the context of weed management, allelopathy is defined as ‘the adverse effect of a plant on other plants by means of the chemicals (allelochemicals) that it produces’.
There are three mechanisms via which allelopathy could enhance black-grass control, Auto-toxicity - biochemical recognition, a known allelopathic mechanism via which plant species are able to optimise germination timing to reduce intra-specific competition, Exudation of allelochemicals by cover crops and Enhanced allelopathic interference from grain crops.
In light of these opportunities, this project will address the following hypotheses, whether the Black-grass root exudates display auto-toxic effects on establishment and growth, do cover crops produce allelopathic root exudates that inhibit black-grass growth and is there genetic variation for allelopathic potential amongst cultivars of major grain crops.
Funding:
The studentship will cover a stipend (currently £14,057pa), research costs and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for students who meet the residency requirements outlined by the BBSRC. This is an iCASE studentship based at Rothamsted Research (Harpenden) in collaberation with University of Nottingham and HL Hutchinsons Ltd (Crop production specialists). There is an additional stipend of at least £2000pa. Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding. Duration of award: 4 years.
About the employer
Rothamsted Research, Harpenden Site is located within commuting
distance of Central London. We have access to excellent local and
leisure facilities, on-site nursery and play scheme 25 days holiday. Our
commitment to learning and development, as well as equality and
diversity, create a welcoming environment for all prospective employees.
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