Impact of combined biological and conventional fungicides on wild lowbush blueberry genetic defense responses

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) molecular defense response to microbial fungicide Bacillus amyloliquefaciens under greenhouse conditions
This project is a collaboration between Dalhousie University and the Arctic University of Norway. Under the tutelage of Dr. Laura Jaakola, Research Leader and professor of plant biology at the Climate Laboratory, the intern will attend the Environmental Molecular Genetics course offered to develop molecular and genetic laboratory skills to evaluate changes in key molecular plant defense response markers. The specific goal is to understand how the foliar application of the microbial fungicide active ingredient Bacillus amyloliquefaciens affects a potato plant’s natural defense system. Determining the mechanisms of how this fungicide can affect a plant’s immunity will provide new insight into the complex chemical-plant relationship in agriculture. The skills and techniques learned will then be applied to a larger project to determine how this fungicide affects the plant health and molecular defense response of wild lowbush blueberries in Nova Scotia, Canada. This project collaboration will address key concerns regarding pesticide efficacy, strengthen current disease management strategies and increase the sustainability of the Canadian wild blueberry industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Percival

Student:

Partner:

UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: