Keywords: Photosynthesis, Plant growth, Abiotic stress, Climate change
Food production needs to increase to meet the global needs, and this is challenged by climate change. Photosynthesis is the main process that converts CO2 into sugars. The synthesis, degradation, and storage of sugars are fine-tuned to maximise plant growth.
Therefore, increases in crop productivity need to be coordinated with improvements in photosynthesis and photosynthate metabolism under stress conditions. Photosynthesis in the leaves (source) can be stimulated or inhibited by the sink strength (storage tissues).
Hence, photosynthesis regulation is crucial to source-sink balance, and it is not clear how it is affected by abiotic stress in sweet potato, an understudied species and a new crop in Scandinavia. This project aims to develop strategies to increase crop yield in a changing climate. By developing the study along with a postdoc as part of a side project, the outcomes have the potential to be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Is field work part of the topic (yes/no)?
no
Is lab work part of the topic (yes/no)?
yes
I coding part of the thesis topic (yes/no)?
No
Any time
Department of Food Science, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N
30 ECTS (IMSOGLO and Agrobiology): Theoretical thesis based on literature studies and/or analysis of issued and edited data sets.
45 ECTS (Agrobiology): Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for collection and analysis of his/her own original data
60 ECTS (Agrobiology): Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for planning, trial design and collection and analysis of his/her own original data
Desirable skills: curiosity and proactivity
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