Project

Plant diseases in a nut shell

Hazelnut can be affected by several diseases. One of them is “avariato” or “rot”, which manifests itself inside the fruits (nuts), thus making it difficult to detect it from the outside. Disease levels around one percent can already lead to significant economical losses.

The causal agent(s) of avariato in Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) and the epidemiology have currently not been well identified, obstructing the setting up of early warning systems and disease treatment. By using biological and molecular tools and big-data analysis, the causal agent(s) within the microbiome of the nuts are being identified, together with microbes that may antagonize the these causal agents.

Research aimsUsed techniques

  • Bio assays
  • PCR
  • DNA-seq analysis
  • Big-data analysis (machine learning)

Supervisor