Potato root and shoot responses to dynamic salinity and drought stress

Project description

The increasing frequency of dry periods as well as the problems associated with salinity in irrigated and coastal areas frequently result in the co-occurrence of drought and salinity stress in agro-ecosystems. Both drought and salinity can reduce plant growth due to the high osmotic potential in the soil, leading to osmotic stress. Water and nutrients are not homogeneously distributed in the soil, and therefore the spatial and temporal arrangement of the root system is crucial for the optimal capture of soil resources and stress avoidance. Understanding plant traits that enhance plant performance in drought and salinity will enable the development of more resilient and productive crops and cropping systems, and could provide useful breeding targets for crop improvement.

We will work to understand and characterize root and shoot traits in various temporal drought and salinity stress regimes for the development of more productive crops. Combined approaches, including experiments in controlled environments and fields, will be implemented in the coming periods.

Objectives and methods

Field experiment

To analyze potato growth, development, and yield performance under salinity and drought stress.

Root study

Analyze root samples taken from the field trials.

Required

Skills/knowledge in performing field experiments.

At least one of these courses is needed:

• CSA30806 Research Methods in Crop Science
• CSA30306 Advanced Crop Physiology
• CSA34806 Advanced Agronomy

Types of research/work

Crop physiology, Agronomy

Period

6 months, May 2025 - November 2025, for field trial.

Other planning is negotiable, please contact the contact person for a more detailed time management plan and available topics.