Thesis supervisor: Adalbert Balog
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University Sapientia, University Pécs Abbreviation of location of studies: UP
Description of the research topic:
During the five-year study period, we will attempt to address a highly important questions in agricultural pest adaptation: Can host plant (maize) management systems and its landscape complexity influence the corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) secondary symbionts diversity? In other words, is the symbiont diversity influencing the aphids’ heat tolerance adaptations and resistance to parasitoids, pathogenic microorganisms (fungi) and insecticides under different management systems and environmental conditions? The study will involve large-scale aphid genotype collections from different environmental-climatic conditions and management systems around mainland Europe (Hungary, Romania, Germany, Italy, Poland and Lithuania); a two-year laboratory experiment to test corn leaf aphid genotypic adaptations in relation to the harbouring of different symbionts, to climate, natural enemies (parasitoids and pathogenic fungi) and insecticides; and a two-year field tests of aphid genotype resistance to natural enemies and insecticides. Aphid genotype and microbial symbiont genetic diversity will be intensively tested using MiSeq and Illumina Genome Analyzer. The present research has importance both from a scientific as well as a practical point of view. From evolutionary biology point of view, aspects of adaptation are important in order to obtain a better understanding of modes of speciation, from pest management point of view to develop new control methods.
Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): English Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-05-25
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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