Student testimonial
Julie Ann Estrada: This experience has not only advanced my research skills but also strengthened my commitment to contributing to the field of plant protection
During my time in Nematology laboratory at WUR, I had the opportunity to explore into the significant challenges caused by Meloidogyne species, which are known to cause huge impact on potato quality. Management strategy using resistant cultivar are gaining interest worldwide. In my research, I focused on exploring the potential of wild Solanum species to offer broad-spectrum resistance against three major RKN species: Meloidogyne chitwoodi, M. fallax and M. hapla.
To investigate this, I conducted in-vitro bioassay involving infection assay and subsequent observations for 63 days. This allowed me to study nematode-plant interactions at cellular level to gain insights into the resistance mechanisms that these wild Solanum species may possess. The knowledge gained from this study has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of a resistant potato cultivar in the future, offering a promising avenue for sustainable nematode management.
My experience in the Nematology laboratory has been immensely rewarding. The opportunity to engage in hands-on research, combined with the support and guidance from the lab team, has deepened my understanding of plant-nematode interactions and the complexities involved in breeding for resistance. This experience has not only advanced my research skills but also strengthened my commitment to contributing to the field of plant protection.