| Affiliations: | |
| Project Leader: | Polly Harding pollyharding@tamu.edu Entomology |
| Faculty Mentor: | Gregory Sword, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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Summer 2017: TBD |
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Team Size:
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4 (Team Full) |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Conduct independent research, will co-author and submit a journal article on summer research, gain diverse technical skills in microbiology, horticulture and entomology |
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Team Needs:
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Must register for ENTO 491 research credits, minimum 10 hrs/week. Prior experience not required, but students with a demonstrated interest in a relevant field of study are preferred. |
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Description:
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“Fungi that occur inside living plant tissue without causing harm to the plant are known as fungal endophytes. Research in field crops has shown endophytic fungi enhancing plant growth and increasing resistance to pests. In this study, we will determine whether these microbes can be applied in cotton to help growers reduce the number of insecticide sprays needed to control pest populations of aphids. Responsibilities will include: Monitoring aphid populations in field cotton, maintaining plants, inoculating plants with microbes, rearing insects, plating media, sub-culturing fungi, re-isolating endophytes from plant tissues, calculating spore concentrations and creating fungal suspensions” |