Inter-vine signalling via plant volatiles
Background
Plants emit and respond to an array of volatile organic signalling molecules under conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses. Although unknown in grapevines, preliminary evidence from potted grapevines shows that water-stressed vines communicate with their well-watered neighbours and elicit a physiological water stress response.
Objectives/aims
This project will test the hypothesis that during stress or key phenological events (e.g. fruit-set or ripening), ‘source’ vines emit volatile signals that induce ‘receiver’ plants to respond in kind. Growers may be able to use a handful of source vines, or indeed other plants, in order to manipulate outcomes in nearby vines. This work will be the first scientific characterisation and demonstration of inter-vine signalling of water stress.
PhD position available 2019 (ICHDR1)
We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate with a high level Honours or Masters qualification or equivalent in plant biology or viticulture. The project will be based at the Waite campus of The University of Adelaide. The candidate will develop skills/techniques in plant hydraulics, gas exchange, metabolomics of secondary compounds, i.e. volatiles (GC-MS), and transcriptomics (RT-PCR and next generation sequencing).
For further information on the Centre PhD’s, including eligibility, visit the Join Us page. If you are interested in this project, email project lead Dr Vinay Pagay to express your interest, including a copy of your CV and academic transcript.
Project leader
Dr
Vinay Pagay
University of Adelaide
Other investigators
Associate Professor
David Jeffery
University of Adelaide
Professor
Stephen Tyerman
University of Adelaide
Dr
Suzy Rogiers
NSW DPI
Industry partners
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