MSc and BSc thesis topics at HPP
Wageningen University students can do their BSc and/or MSc thesis in collaboration with the Horticulture and Product Physiology (HPP) group. Below you can find a variety of possible thesis subjects. On the subpage of each of the three research themes, you can find a list of possible thesis projects.
Interested in doing a BSc or MSc thesis at HPP? Please contact the HPP student coordinator Katharina Hanika. General information can also be found in the documents on the righthand side and thesis topics are also listed in the Internship and thesis projects database.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the driving force for most trophic systems on Earth. Basic research is conducted into understanding the regulation and limitations of photosynthesis. To do this, instrumentation that allows to look at the biophysical engine of photosynthesis inside the leaf, is developed and used. In addition, source/sink relationships are studied as optimal photosynthesis will only lead to optimal growth and quality if attention is paid to balancing the source and sink strength in plants.
Morphogenesis
The function and structure of a plant show strong interactions. These interactions are studied in an integrated way. The morphogenesis of plants is at least as important as leaf photosynthesis in determining plant growth. Furthermore, the morphology of the plant is a very important determinant of the quality of many horticultural (ornamental) plants.
Product physiology
The quality of a fruit, a flower, or a pot plant does not end when it leaves the grower. Neither does it start when it is bought by for instance a trading company. Quality is studied as a continuous process from cultivation through the post-harvest phase until the product is used by the consumers. Furthermore, in order to control product quality HPP not only aims to understand the processes underlying product quality but it also develops methodologies for monitoring product quality.