Projects
The role of interactions between plants and soil microbes as drivers of non-native plant invasions in cold-climate ecosystems. University of Antwerp
Plant root effects on erosion of sandy soils in a temperate climate. A trait-based methodology to select native plants for biological soil conservation measures KU Leuven
Soil erosion is a major problem leading to severe land degradation problems. To control these soil erosion processes, plant species can be used. Both above- and below-ground biomass can help to protect the soil. Plant roots can be very effective in stabilizing the soil against concentrated flow erosion and shallow mass movements. Most research on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots was conducted on loamy soils and at present, ...
Impact of plant- pollinator interactions on the selection of breeding systems, floral traits and plant performance in a spatially structured habitat Ghent University
Variation in flower and plants traits and reproductive success of plant populations can be affected by pollinator communities and by local soil conditions. This research aims to elucidate to what extent both factors inlfuence this process. An obseervational correlative and an experimental reaction norm approach will be carried out on the insect-pollinated Silene nutans in a fragmented dune landscape.
ACC, a novel signaling molecule in plants, not just the precursor of ethylene! University of Antwerp
ACC, a novel signaling molecule in plants, not just the precursor of ethylene! Ghent University
A major challenge in sustainable agriculture is to secure crop productivity under adverse environmental conditions in order to match the growing world population. Plants are exposed to multiple abiotic stresses such as submergence -an increasing problem due to global climate change- and cadmium accumulation in soil, resulting in important crop losses. Ethylene is known to be a crucial player in stress control. The non-proteinogenic ...
ACC, a novel signaling molecule in plants, not just the precursor of ethylene! Hasselt University
Solar-Powered Water Purification Plants in Suriname HOWEST
The importance of histone modification in strigolactone-dependent seed germination of parasitic plants Ghent University
Parasitic plants are a global threat in agriculture as they cause a substantial loss of yield in many commercial crops. The parasite Phelipanche ramosa for example threatens winter oilseed rape production in France but is also present in other European countries and is likely to become a problem for Belgium farmers. An essential step in the lifecycle of parasitic plants is their germination, which is activated upon sensing the presence of a ...
Phosphate deficiency triggered signalling in plants Ghent University
Current pressure on agricultural crop production is high. Besides climate change reducing the optimal areal, the European Green Deal demands sustainable crop solutions with strict reductions of fertilizer input (20 to 50%). However, locally available fertilizers and nutrients determine the plant’s development and hence the crop’s yield, so the EU measures risk to directly affect crop production. Among the plant nutrients, phosphorus (P), ...