Projects
Elucidating the role of nutrient availability and mycorrhizae in the drought response of terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling University of Antwerp
Development of a DNA array for the identification of the role of mycorrhizae associations during interspecies hybridization of orchids. KU Leuven
Protein interplay during the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhiza: revealing the function of tomato root proteins interacting with fungal plant effectors Ghent University
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form mutualistic associations with more than 80% of all land plants. This symbiotic interaction is established by a strict controlled exchange of signals whereby the fungus also needs to repress the plant’s defense response. From the plant pathology field, we know that this is achieved by the secretion of small effector proteins. Interestingly, AM fungi are also known to secrete effectors but little is known ...
The impact of forest fragmentation on mycorrhizal communities KU Leuven
Mass conversion of land from a natural to an anthropogenic state has resulted in the reduction and fragmentation of natural habitats. This has severe consequences for biodiversity. In this project we study how forest fragmentation affects an important ecological group, the mycorrhizal fungi, and how this group responds to restoration efforts. We focus on two types of mycorrhiza: arbuscular mycorrhiza (formed between 72% of all land plants and ...
Biochar as soil conditioner for sustainable management of coconut plantations in Sri Lanka: effects on micorrhizae and growth-promoting bacteria Ghent University
This project aims to test if soil amendment of pyrolysed rice and gliricidia residues exert beneficial effects on growth of coconut trees in by enhancing nutrient availability. Focus is on biomass and activity of arbuscular micorrhizae and plant-growth promoting rhizo-bacteria in a Sri Lankan plantation field trial and by means of pot experiments (FBE-UGent).
Speciation through fungi? The role of mycorrhizal associations in orchid diversification (MYCASOR). KU Leuven
Speciation through fungi? De role of mycorrhizal associations in orchid diversification. KU Leuven
Modelling of mycorrhizal fungal impacts on soil carbon sequestration processes. Hasselt University
Development and application of molecular tools to elucidate the influence of mycorrhizal interactions on the spatial distribution of terrestrial orchids. KU Leuven
Orchids have long been a source a scientific curiosity, even Darwin himself found them to be a source of intrigue, when he noted that “[seeds] are produced by orchids in vast profusion.... What checks the unlimited multiplication of the Orchideae throughout the world is not known.” (Darwin, 1877). We now understand that this preponderance of seed production and correspondingly rare event of germination and seed development are a ...