Short project description

 Intercropping between legumes and cereals has shown to be beneficial for both crops in terms of yield and nitrogen-fixation. The chemical communication and exchange of defense compounds between legumes and cereals in such an intercropping setup has only been studied to a minor extent. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is the optimal tool for analysing secondary metabolites responsible for the communication. In this project the student will investigate the content of known bioactive compounds in a legume (soybean, pea…) and a cereal crop (wheat, rye…) when grown alone and when co-cropped, and will evaluate if – and to which extent – defense properties against plant parasitic nematodes are enhanced in both crops.