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PhD defence: What is the mechanism behind host-nematode interactions?

Mechanisms of plant-nematode interactions in natural soils are not well-known as the majority of our current findings are derived from in vitro bioassays.

[Translate to English:] Foto: Md Maniruzzaman Sikder

Md Maniruzzaman Sikder studied the impact of several secondary metabolites such as, benzoxazinoids, glucosinolates, camalexin, flavonoids and phytohormones on soil nematode communities. He found that secondary metabolites modulate soil nematode communities with the most profound effects on endoparasitic nematodes having an intimate relationship with their hosts. Moreover, he also evaluated the effects of soil microbes on the infectivity of root knot-nematode and demonstrated an indirect modulating effect of flavonoids on nematode root invasion via the root-associated microbiome. This knowledge contributes to the understanding and exploitation of plant secondary metabolites, phytohormone and soil microbes for protection against harmful plant parasitic nematodes in ecofriendly and sustainable nematode management strategies. 

The PhD study was completed at the department of Agroecology, Research Center Flakkebjerg, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Monday 14 June 2021 at 13:00

Place: The PhD defence will be held online. To receive a link to the event, please send an e-mail to Karina Rysholt Christensen, kch@agro.au.dk  

Title of PhD thesis: Impact of plant secondary metabolites on root-associated soil nematodes 

Contact information: Md Maniruzzaman Sikder, e-mail: mms@agro.au.dkmmsbot@juniv.edu, tel.: +45 71653031 or +8801914980894

Members of the assessment committee:

Professor Dan Funck Jensen, Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden 

Senior Scientist Holger Heuer, Institute for Epidemiology and Plant Diagnostics Julius Kühn-Institut, Germany

Senior Researcher Per L. Gregersen (chair), Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:

Professor Mogens Nicolaisen, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:

Associate Professor Tina Kyndt, Department of Biotechnology, Ghent University, Belgium

Senior researcher Mette Vestergård, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark 

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English


The defence is public.
Due to the coronavirus situation, the PhD thesis will not be available for reading at the offices of the PhD administration. Instead, interested parties may send an e-mail to gradschool.tech@au.dk to receive a digital copy of the PhD thesis. Please note, it may in certain cases be necessary to make an individual arrangement to read the PhD thesis.