Project Case Studies
Effect of Silvopasture on Soil Health in Poultry Systems by Eva
My research explored how integrating trees into poultry pasture systems, known as silvopasture, influences soil properties in UK farming systems. As interest grows in regenerative and climate-resilient agriculture, understanding how tree cover affects soil health is increasingly important.
Through field sampling and data analysis, I examined how varying levels of tree cover influenced soil structure and nutrient dynamics. This involves collecting soil samples across different agricultural systems and analysing key soil indicators to assess changes linked to silvopasture practices.
This project combined hands-on fieldwork with quantitative data analysis, allowing me to investigate the potential of trees in farming systems. It strengthened my skills in experimental design, soil assessment and statistical analysis, while contributing to wider conversations around sustainable land use and climate adaptation.
Impact of Heat Stress on Tomato Flower Development and Pollination by Omar
My project was on assessing the impact of heat stress on tomato flower development time and pollen production. With climate change leading to warmer summers, it’s very important to understand what level of heat and the corresponding duration of exposure affects tomatoes from producing fruit from their flowers.
The project gave me a good understanding of how tomato physiology works and the methodologies of assessing tomato flower development phases and fluctuations of pollen counts.
Studying Fusarium oxysporum in Brassicas by Lorna
My research project was supervised by Professor John Clarkson and focused on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans (Foc), a pathogenic form of the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Foc is host-specific to Brassica plants and affects numerous Brassica vegetable crops (e.g. collard greens, cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and rocket). This disease is a threat to global supply of Brassica vegetables as it is present in over 60 countries and can cause severe (up to 100%) yield losses. Climate change conditions favour Foc survival and spread, as well as the emergence of new virulent races which overcome resistance genes.
Cultivating suppressive soils is the ultimate control, but this can be variable in field, and heavily depleted agricultural soils require long-term strategies which can face numerous barriers to adoption and integration across different regions. Control, therefore, currently relies on research into diagnostics (for prevention and early detection) and plant breeding (for varietal resistance) - this research takes time and must remain ongoing for continuous efficacy.
In my project, I worked closely with staff and PhD students to evaluate the reliability of three different 'miniaturised' inoculation systems, which could improve overall research efficiency as well as be adaptable for research in smaller facilities. For this, I propagated a large number of different collard, cabbage and cauliflower cultivars with varying Foc-susceptibility, and got to prepare solid and liquid fungal inoculum in the lab. I learnt how to set up/monitor my own experiments, collect and manage large amounts of disease score data, and how to analyse this carefully using appropriate statistical methods. I was involved in the experimental design process right from the beginning and was supported to have a good balance between guidance and independence throughout the project.
For my final experiment, I had the opportunity to test various fungal microbes for their suppressive effects on early disease development in planta, and this was complemented by the opportunity to read further into the nuanced world of biological controls for plant diseases - a highly complex and only thinly regulated area, requiring significantly more research to address the increasing uptake in these methods as a means of managing plant diseases. What we do know is that integrated methods and research are key to ensuring continued global food security, and that there are no silver bullets when it comes to biology!
The best part of my project was learning new skills, working alongside other horticultural researchers, and seeing the project come together into tangible results. It felt very rewarding and was a real privilege to spend my summer this way.
