Participants' experiences

PRECISE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Rashmi.Aryal presso Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, IPK-Gatersleben – Germany (periodo di attività: 09/2024 – 03/2025)
Relatore: Prof. Marco Maccaferri

Title: “Investigation of root system architecture traits in a Triticum turgidum Tetraploid wheat Core Collection (TCC)”

I first learned about this opportunity through the course website at enrollment, but I fully understood it after our coordinator's detailed explanation in class. I had been working on root system architecture in Professor Marco Maccaferri’s lab since I began attending lectures on Plant Genetics. […] This exposure motivated me to conduct an experiment on root phenotyping for my master’s thesis. […] Professor Maccaferri recommended the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), which is renowned for its advanced automated phenotyping platform and exceptional research team. […] During my research, I performed root hair phenotyping on 475 genotypes, assessing root hair density and length. Additionally, I conducted a genome-wide association analysis using the Illumina 90K wheat SNP, carried out high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) with automated daily imaging in a rhizopot setup, and analyzed root images by defining the region of interest (ROI) for each pot. I have gained expertise in root hair research, including germination, rollups experiments, and microscopy imaging. I have hands-on experience with a high-tech phenotyping platform and proficiency in ImageJ for root studies and R Studio for data analysis. My skills also include working in controlled environments, handling chemicals, performing DNA/RNA extractions, and conducting field and greenhouse research, strengthening my practical knowledge in plant science. I would highly recommend this opportunity. It is an invaluable experience that provides deep insights into research. […] I gained a clear understanding of what research truly entails and how it is conducted in a rigorous scientific manner. Beyond the academic and technical learning, it was also an enjoyable and enriching experience. However, I believe that could be useful a training session for selected students. This would provide guidance on expectations, best practices, and key aspects to focus on, ensuring that participants are better prepared to make the most of the opportunity.

PRECISE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Shreyash Milind Khandwe presso Geroge August University of Gottingen/ University of Kassel – Germany (periodo di attività: 04/2024 – 10/2024)
Relatore: Prof.ssa Barbara Paladino

Title: “Optimising livestock nutrition in northern Ghana by accounting for seasonal quality variations in pasture vegetation and crop residues”

I’ve became interested in this Call thanks to the University Email. I choose Geroge August University of Gottingen because I was already at that university for the ERASMUS + Study program and I’ve mainly performed laboratories activities. I believe I have acquired valuable new knowledge and skills during this experience. I have developed strong relationships with the university and my supervisor, which has greatly enhanced my interpersonal and professional skills. Additionally, working in the laboratory has given me hands-on experience with various instruments, where I learned how to handle and operate them effectively. This experience has also deepened my understanding of different protocols and methodologies, improving my technical competence and confidence in applying them to my research work. I would definitely recommend this experience and would gladly do it again. It has been highly valuable for both my personal and professional growth. The opportunity to work closely with my supervisor and the university has strengthened my research skills and broadened my understanding of laboratory work and methodologies. However, if there is one thing I would like to see improved, it would be having more structured training sessions on using advanced laboratory equipment and analytical software. This would help enhance efficiency and deepen technical expertise.

TECNOLOGIE AGRARIE
Guglielmo Piazzi presso Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2) – Germany (periodo di attività: 04/2024 – 06/2024)
Relatore: Prof. Silvio Salvi

Title: “Root architecture analysis of wheat lines using an automated phenomic platform”

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.

INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
Andrei Pasquali presso Sun'Agri – France (periodo di attività: 05/2023 – 07/2023)
Relatore: Prof.ssa Brunella Morandi

Title: “Assessment of the Ecophysiological and productive performance of fruit tree orchards under dynamic agrivoltaic systems

I was informed by Professor Brunella Morandi about the possibility of project in France in a company that deals with research in the agrivoltaic sector. Coming to know about this call, through the university website. […] Sun’agri of Montpellier has a consolidated relationship of collaboration with the University of Bologna. This has made it possible to simplify contacts with the company. […] Several activities were carried out during the mobility period: the use of fruit gauges for the fruit growth monitoring, the measurement of water potential using a pressure chamber, the measurement of specific leaf area with a leaf area meter, the installation of thermocouples for temperature monitoring for fruits and leaves and the use of an infrared camera for organs temperature monitoring. […] Furthermore, among the activities carried out, I would like to mention the learning of protocol drafting techniques for the field activities, in order to determine the most interesting variable for that specific study. The organizational aspect allowed me, among other things, to learn the use of a specific software (Git lab) which allows online sharing of files and to have the possibility to organize all the other activities. […] I consider this the most formative and the most useful experience, as it allowed me to leave the classic university canon, and enter the hearth of a corporative reality, particularly in a foreign country. I believe that facing this type of experience has allowed me to grow professionally, but also from a more personal point of view. In conclusion, I recommend this experience as it allows us students to improve the curriculum, and also to take advantage of us for the future world of work.

SCIENZE E TECNOLOGIE AGRARIE
Luca Rasi presso Biobest company (periodo di attività: 05/2023 – 08/2023)
Relatore: Prof. Fabio Sgolastra

Title: “Evaluation of the efficiency of two microbial candidates, used as bio-control agent against Botrytis cinerea, spread by Entomovectoring”

I find out about the call by an email about “thesis preparation abroad” from “DISTAL – Internazionalizzazione”. After my Erasmus, I wanted to enhance my visibility in terms of working profile so I looked for an internship in a big firm abroad. The destination I choose was a pure fortuity because I was trying to access at Wag University but thanks to my previous research chiefs, I found out the bumble team leader contact at Biobest and I agreed to follow up their trials. […] The aim of this master thesis topic was to explore new microorganisms to be used for entomovectoring technology. More specifically, the potential of fungi and yeast species occurring naturally on plants as biocontrol agents against plant pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea and Mucor sp., were assessed. […] I’ve worked in the microbiology lab, gaining confidence with biocontrol agents and all the protocols. Afterwards, I worked in the research trailer

and the Green Lab, testing treatments applied to plants and samples. I also worked in the IT office to get used to the R software. During my mobility period I have learn […] lab techniques and insect handling, from the rearing to their application and, finally, R software. I really suggest this experience because it is the most useful way for increasing the level of the master’s degree overall and to understand which are our weaknesses and lack of knowledge and straighten them. This facility does not provide a course about R software, it would be useful a course about it or implement the teaching hours about that statistical software used worldwide during the study course at DISTAL.