Reports of the awardees for the EWRS travel grants for bi-lateral cooperation 2024

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Posted on January 29th, 2025 on 16:42:23 by Lena Ulber

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The first two awardees of the EWRS travel grants for bi-lateral cooperation 2024 have returned home, read here about their experience.

The EWRS Travel grants for bi-lateral cooperation were established in 2024 for the first time to create an opportunity for students and early career scientists to visit the lab of another EWRS member for a short-term visit.

The call for applications was opened in May 2024 and three students were selected by the EWRS SciCom and the bi-lateral cooperation committee (Husrev Mennan, Lena Ulber, Aleksandra Savic, and Maor Matzrafi).

Two of the three students have already completed their visit to the host lab in 2024 and describe their scientific and personal experiences in a report for the EWRS members. The third student, David Kottelenberg, will complete his visit to Cornell University (USA) in May/June 2025.

 

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SHORT REPORT by Diego Barranco Elena

Home institution: University of Lleida (Spain), School of Agrifood, Forestry Engineering and Veterinary Medicine (ETSEAFiV), Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences and Engineering, Weed and Plant Ecology Research Group

Host institution: University of Vigo (Spain), Faculty of Biology, Department of Plant Biology and Soil Science

Title of the Project: "Exploring allelopathy as a possible mechanism of weed suppression by organic mulches in vineyards”

Time spend at the University in Vigo, Spain: 03.11. – 30.11.2024

My time at the University of Vigo with the research team led by Nuria Pedrol, Carolina G. Puig, and María Pardo Muras has been a unique experience both personally and professionally. Working closely with these three outstanding researchers was an unparalleled opportunity to learn and grow as a scientist. Their expertise and dedication allowed me to delve into innovative methods of lab assays, expanding my knowledge and strengthening my research project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 1: Diego working in the laboratory of Research Group “Plant and Soil Science” at the University of Vigo

During this collaboration, my work focused on analysing the allelochemical composition of aqueous extracts of different organic mulches used in an assay in an organic vineyard that is part of my PhD at the University of Lleida, Spain. These mulches included almond hull, almond peel, walnut hull, and wine pomace, all agricultural by-products repurposed to limit weed germination more sustainably than chemicals or traditional tillage. This collaboration also aimed to explore the potential allelopathic effects of these materials on target species such as Conyza bonariensis and Bassia scoparia, problematic weeds in Spanish vineyards due to their resistance to certain herbicides and the limitations of tillage management under the vines.

To achieve this, chemical analyses and in vitro bioassays were conducted using specific methodologies. Phenolic compounds from the aqueous extracts of mulches were extracted, and the total content was obtained by Folin-Ciocalteau method. The identification and quantification of compounds is in progress using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). Additionally, aqueous extracts were prepared following standardized methods to evaluate their impact on the germination and early growth of target species under controlled laboratory conditions. The achievement of this remarkable amount of work was supported by the organization of an intense and well-planned schedule, which made it possible to combine bioassays and analyses in record time.

Picture 2: Aqueous extracts at different concentrations from almond shell mulch.

All of this was made possible thanks to the support of the EWRS and the EWRS bi-lateral cooperation program between the University of Lleida and the University of Vigo. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my home supervisor, Bàrbara Baraibar, for her constant support and guidance throughout this period.

Finally, I cannot overlook the beauty of Vigo during Christmas. The lights, decorations, and festive atmosphere made my stay even more special.

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Short Report by Lior Kesselmann

Home institution: University of Haifa, The Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Haifa (Israel) & Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization - Volcani Institute, Newe-Ya’ar Research Center, (Israel)

Host institution: Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, Braunschweig (Germany)

Title of the project: “The effect of climate change on the efficacy of acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors - Lolium rigidum and Alopecurus myosuroides as a case study”

Time spend at the JKI, Germany: 09.10. – 04.11.2024

Receiving the European Weed Research Society (EWRS) scholarship, during my Master’s studies was meaningful for me. It provided me with the opportunity to take part in an international research project alongside Dr. Lena Ulber and Dr. Dagmar Rissel from the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) in Braunschweig, Germany. This collaboration enriched my knowledge in weed science. At the beginning of my stay, I faced challenges, such as the language barrier, but I quickly manage to deal with it and felt very welcomed. I was fortunate to work with other students and lab technicians, which made the experience both academically and socially enriching. I believe that participating in an academic course at the local university would have further enhanced the experience, both academically and socially.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 1: Lior applying herbicides with spraying cabinet at the in the laboratory of the JKI Weed Science Group

During my time at JKI, I was invited to a retirement party for one of the institute\'s senior researchers, and it was a very beautiful and emotional experience. Additionally, I attended their annual harvest festival, which gave me a unique glimpse into German culture and traditions. 

The research itself was highly experiential, exposing me to innovative methodologies and approaches in weed science. As part of our collaboration, we conducted two experiments to investigate reduced herbicide sensitivity under changing climatic conditions.

In the first experiment, we examined how fluctuating post-application temperatures, simulating climate change, affect the sensitivity of herbicide-resistant and sensitive populations of Lolium rigidum (Israel) and Alopecurus myosuroides (Germany) to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors. Resistant populations, characterized by target-site (TS) and non-target-site (NTS) resistance mechanisms, along with a sensitive reference population, were exposed to two rates of pinoxaden and clodinafop-propargyl. After herbicide application, plants were subjected to one of three temperature regimes: control (15°C/8°C, day/night) or extreme (30°C/26°C, day/night) temperatures (heat wave) for 24 or 72 hours, and then returned to control conditions. A group of unsprayed plants was also exposed to the different temperature regimes. To evaluate the impact of these temperatures on herbicide efficacy, we measured survival rates and biomass 21 days post-application.

Picture 2: Lolium plants for the first experiment in the growth chamber.

In the second experiment, we assessed the effect of drought on the same populations. Two water regimes were applied: one group was watered without limitation, while the other was subjected to drought conditions by maintaining soil-water content at 40%.
Despite the relatively short duration of my stay (approximately one month), we made significant progress and obtained some intriguing results. However, time constraints prevented the completion of the second experiment. The lab team continued the work after my departure, and we maintain weekly communication to discuss the experiment\'s progress.

This experience was possible thanks to the EWRS bi-lateral cooperation program, and thanks to the collaboration between the University of Haifa, the Volcani Institute (Newe-Ya’ar Research Center) and the Julius Kühn-Institut. For me, this opportunity went beyond academic enrichment, it served as a bridge to new cultures and potential future collaborations. I am grateful for this experience and want to thank my M.Sc. supervisor, Dr. Maor Matzrafi, for his guidance and for enabling me to participate in this program.

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