Agricultural Technology
Testimonials from Bachelors' students in Agricultural Technology who were awarded the 'Thesis Abroad' grant.
Guglielmo Piazzi
- Host Institution: Institute of Bio and Geosciences (IBG-2), Germany
- Mobility Period: April 2024 - June 2024
- Supervisor: Prof. Silvio Salvi
- Thesis Title: Root architecture analysis of wheat lines using an automated phenomic platform
Guglielmo's Story
I found about the call thanks to my Professor Silvio Salvi and I chose Forschungszentrum Jülich as my destination, since is one of the best research centres in Europe for root phenotyping. […] During those months, we started with the rhizotron experiment on a RIL population of durum wheat. We had in total 3 replicas of 80 genotypes, so at the end we had 240 rhizotron boxes with a single plant, that we left for 25 days to grow in the rhizotron facility in Forschungszentrum Jülich. During and after the end of the experiment my main focus was on drawing the roots of these plants using the PaintRhizo software. I helped directly on Campus Klein-Altendorf field with the WISH-ROOT project by preparing 126 plots of different genotypes of wheat and by collecting samples of soil and roots. This mobility allowed me to learn how to work in a group outside of a university environment; I learned how to work on an automated phenomic platform and the protocols involved in a rhizotron experiment; I learned how to use the PaintRhizo software and WinRhizo software; I learned the protocols to prepare an experimental field. I would recommend this experience to everyone because the work environment in Forschungszentrum Jülich is great both for the people and the amazing facilities that are in the research centre, I would love to have the possibility to work there again.