| "Evaluating virulence of selected plant pathogens and induction of plant resistance by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria" |
Just as humans have immune systems, so plants have similar ways of combatting infection by pathogens. One of these mechanisms is by induced resistance. This occurs when infection triggers defence responses in cells and tissues that have not yet been infected. Induced resistance can be triggered by bacteria that live in the rhizosphere (root zone) of plants. Some of these bacteria also promote the growth of plants and are thus called “plant growth promoting rhizobacteria” or PGPRs for short. In this exciting project you will evaluate the virulence (aggressiveness) of certain plant pathogens and then test if certain PGPRs are able to induce plant resistance to aggressive pathogens.
You will learn various techniques and be involved in cutting edge science. Learn how plants respond to infection by pathogens – join the vibrant plant pathology team! |
Provisional Programme
- 2 March
- Introduction to plant pathology Introduction to the laboratory, general planning of a project, general lab techniques, e.g. streaking, plating out, pure cultures
- Plant plants
- Prepare pathogen inoculum
- Prepare PGPR inoculum
- 13 April
- General lab work, microscopy with PGPR, fungi, prepare slides, ID of pathogens.
- Inoculate the plants with PGPR (transplant to split root if using root pathogen)
- Pathogenicity trial; inoculate plants with pathogens
- 18 May
- Induced R – inoculate pathogen
- Pathogenicity
- General knowledge – type of symptoms, how to rate disease etc.
- Rate plants disease symptoms
- 24 , 25 June
- IR - Evaluate induced resistance trial
- Pathogenicity – evaluate
- Prepare report
- 26, 27 June
- Trip
- Prepare report and presentation
- 28 June
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Participants
- Dr. Jacquie van der Waals
- Ms Theresa Pretorius
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